. Read more about the historic anniversary `` This is something people like me have been waiting for for days , weeks . Years , '' said Howard Hemsley , an African-American delegate from New York . `` He 's going to the White House . He 's going to be our next president . '' iReport.com : `` Never thought I 'd see this day '' Former President Bill Clinton reflected on the significance of the moment in his address before the Democratic National Convention . Read more on Clinton 's case for Obama `` Now , Sen. Obama 's life is a 21st-century incarnation of the old-fashioned American dream . His achievements are proof of our continuing progress toward the more perfect union of our founders ' dreams , '' he said . `` Barack Obama will lead us away from the division and fear of the last eight years back to unity and hope . '' Watch the sights and sounds of the convention events '' President Clinton and Biden , two of the party 's elder statesmen , lavished praise upon the newly crowned nominee and did their best to paint Republican rival Sen. John McCain
DENVER , Colorado -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- On a historic night for America , Barack Obama secured the Democratic Party 's nomination for president and emerged for the first time on stage in Denver with running mate Sen. Joe Biden . Obama on Wednesday officially became the first African American to lead a major party ticket . Delegates cried and cheered as former rival Sen. Hillary Clinton motioned to cut the roll call vote short , saying `` Let 's declare together with one voice right here , right now , that Barack Obama is our candidate and he will be our president . '' The dramatic move was carefully choreographed to put down any fears of a divided party following the protracted primary battle . Watch emotional crowd nominate Obama '' The Democrats jumped to their feet as they made history with Obama as their leader . Outside the hall , Republican leaders also hailed the achievement . On Thursday , the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. 's `` I have a dream '' speech , in the culmination of the Democratic National Convention , Obama will address an estimated 70,000 people at Invesco field in Denver