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| Democrats praise 'new hope' Obama | Democrats praise 'new hope' Obama |
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| The wife of US Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has joined party leaders in praising his values, dedication to family and leadership. | The wife of US Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has joined party leaders in praising his values, dedication to family and leadership. |
| Michelle Obama, giving the first keynote address of the party's four-day convention in Denver, said he would make "an extraordinary president". | Michelle Obama, giving the first keynote address of the party's four-day convention in Denver, said he would make "an extraordinary president". |
| Senator Edward Kennedy, undergoing treatment for brain cancer, also lauded Mr Obama, saying he offered "new hope". | Senator Edward Kennedy, undergoing treatment for brain cancer, also lauded Mr Obama, saying he offered "new hope". |
| House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke of a defining moment in history for the US. | House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke of a defining moment in history for the US. |
| Praising Mr Obama's "bold" vision for the nation's future, Mrs Pelosi described him as "honouring American values, a belief in personal responsibility, in community, in hard work". | Praising Mr Obama's "bold" vision for the nation's future, Mrs Pelosi described him as "honouring American values, a belief in personal responsibility, in community, in hard work". |
| Mr Obama, 47, will formally accept the party's nomination when he addresses a crowd of 80,000 at a sports stadium on Thursday night, fresh from touring electoral battlegrounds. | Mr Obama, 47, will formally accept the party's nomination when he addresses a crowd of 80,000 at a sports stadium on Thursday night, fresh from touring electoral battlegrounds. |
| The first African-American to be nominated as a US presidential candidate, he will stand against Republican John McCain in the 4 November ballot. | The first African-American to be nominated as a US presidential candidate, he will stand against Republican John McCain in the 4 November ballot. |
| 'Best ideals' | 'Best ideals' |
| The Democrats hope their national convention in Colorado will show the Illinois senator as a family man and heal the rifts of the primary race. | The Democrats hope their national convention in Colorado will show the Illinois senator as a family man and heal the rifts of the primary race. |
| Senator Edward Kennedy addresses the delegates | Senator Edward Kennedy addresses the delegates |
| In an assured speech, Mrs Obama spoke of being raised with the same values as her husband: "That you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say you're going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect." | |
| She went on: "We want our children and all children in this nation, to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them." | She went on: "We want our children and all children in this nation, to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them." |
| Mr Kennedy, the 76-year-old scion of the iconic Democratic family, appeared on stage to loud cheers. | Mr Kennedy, the 76-year-old scion of the iconic Democratic family, appeared on stage to loud cheers. |
| "I have come here to stand with you to change America, to restore its future, to rise to our best ideals and elect Barack Obama president of the United States," he said. 'A mile high, an inch deep'. That slogan - on the wall of the Republican war room here in Denver - is the claim to beat this week BBC North America Editor, Justin Webb Read Justin's thoughts in full | "I have come here to stand with you to change America, to restore its future, to rise to our best ideals and elect Barack Obama president of the United States," he said. 'A mile high, an inch deep'. That slogan - on the wall of the Republican war room here in Denver - is the claim to beat this week BBC North America Editor, Justin Webb Read Justin's thoughts in full |
| His niece, Caroline Kennedy, who had introduced a video homage to Mr Kennedy shortly before, paid her own emotional tribute to both him and Mr Obama. | His niece, Caroline Kennedy, who had introduced a video homage to Mr Kennedy shortly before, paid her own emotional tribute to both him and Mr Obama. |
| "Their stories are very different but they share a commitment to the timeless American ideals of justice and fairness, service and sacrifice, faith and family," she said. | "Their stories are very different but they share a commitment to the timeless American ideals of justice and fairness, service and sacrifice, faith and family," she said. |
| "Leaders like them come along rarely. But once or twice in a lifetime, they come along just when we need them most." | "Leaders like them come along rarely. But once or twice in a lifetime, they come along just when we need them most." |
| Mr Obama's half-sister, Maya Soetero-Ng, earlier spoke of a shared upbringing in which she and her brother learned that with hard work and imagination they could "dream the improbable". | Mr Obama's half-sister, Maya Soetero-Ng, earlier spoke of a shared upbringing in which she and her brother learned that with hard work and imagination they could "dream the improbable". |
| 'Strength and unity' | 'Strength and unity' |
| Party officials have played down the scope for discord between supporters of Mr Obama and Hillary Clinton, who was his chief rival for the nomination. | |
| CONVENTION AGENDA Monday: Michelle Obama speech on Obama the man; tribute to Ted KennedyTuesday: Hillary Clinton speech; keynote speech by former Virginia governor Mark WarnerWednesday: Speeches by Bill Clinton and Joe Biden; vote to confirm Barack Obama as party's candidateBarack Obama to accept nomination with speech in stadium Voters' views on the conventionDelegate's Denver diary | |
| Opening the convention, Democratic chairman Howard Dean spoke of "the strength and unity of our party". | Opening the convention, Democratic chairman Howard Dean spoke of "the strength and unity of our party". |
| Mrs Clinton herself, addressing delegates from her home state of New York on Monday, urged them to throw their support behind Mr Obama. | Mrs Clinton herself, addressing delegates from her home state of New York on Monday, urged them to throw their support behind Mr Obama. |
| She will give a speech to the convention on Tuesday and her husband and former president Bill is to speak on Wednesday. | She will give a speech to the convention on Tuesday and her husband and former president Bill is to speak on Wednesday. |
| More than 4,000 Democratic delegates and tens of thousands of officials, activists, protesters and journalists have descended on Denver for the event. | More than 4,000 Democratic delegates and tens of thousands of officials, activists, protesters and journalists have descended on Denver for the event. |
| The Republican Party's convention will take place next week in St Paul, Minnesota. | The Republican Party's convention will take place next week in St Paul, Minnesota. |
What is your reaction to the first day of the Democratic Convention? You can send us your views using the form below: | What is your reaction to the first day of the Democratic Convention? You can send us your views using the form below: |