Chicago isn’t a stranger to political conventions, having hosted several over the years, including the 1996 DNC where President Bill Clinton was nominated for reelection. This year, the city once again transformed its streets to host an even larger event at the United Center from Monday, August 19th, through Thursday, August 22nd.
The 2024 Democratic National Convention was filled with politicians, dignitaries, and media, delivering a series of unforgettable moments that will be talked about for years to come. Here are the top 10 highlights from the event.
1. Michelle Obama urges voters to “do something”
The crowd stood on their feet as Michelle Obama took the stage, delivering the most talked-about speech of this year’s DNC. Hailing from Chicago’s South Side, the former First Lady paid tribute to her mother, Marian Robinson, who passed away on May 31, 2024, at the age of 86.
Reflecting on her last visit to Chicago for her mother’s passing, Obama drew a comparison to Kamala Harris’s mother, who often advised her daughter, “Don’t sit around and complain about things. Do something.” This message resonated with the audience, who chanted “do something” as she urged them to vote. The phrase quickly became the theme of her speech and a viral message that has since been shared widely on social media.
2. Not your typical DNC Roll Call
On Tuesday night at the DNC, Lil Jon brought a viral meme to life with his surprise appearance during Georgia’s roll call. The meme, which began on TikTok, playfully altered the lyrics of Lil Jon’s “Get Low” in response to Harris choosing Walz as her VP pick, changing the line “to the window, to the wall” to “to the window, to the Walz,” as reported by Variety. It was only fitting that the Georgia rapper amped up the crowd with a quick performance of his hit song “Turn Down For What.”
3.Elizabeth Warren’s emotional applause from crowd
Few people received a standing ovation when they took the stage, but Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts was one of them. She wiped away tears as the arena erupted into applause, lasting for at least 60 seconds, on the final night of the DNC. In 2020, Warren ran for President, and on Thursday night, she stood before tens of thousands of people to speak about Kamala Harris’s qualifications to become the next President of the United States.
4. Kamala Harris’ great-nieces teach the crowd how to say her name
People were on the edge of their seats each week watching Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope on the ABC political thriller Scandal. But on the final day of the DNC, Kerry made it clear that she’s not just an actress navigating the political landscape—she’s also a voter who believes in the power of every voice being heard.
Reuniting on stage with her Scandal co-star, she captured a selfie video with the crowd for social media, encouraging everyone to do the same and chant along with them, “When we fight, we win.”
However, the most memorable moment might have been when she invited Amara and Leela, Vice President Kamala Harris’ nieces, to the stage to give America a tutorial on correctly pronouncing Kamala Harris’ name.
5. Pink performs with daughter Willow at the DNC
On the fourth night of the Democratic National Convention, pop icon Pink and her 13-year-old daughter, Willow, graced the stage with a heartwarming and powerful performance. The mother-daughter duo captivated the audience with their harmonies, showcasing not only their incredible talent but also the bond they share.
Willow, who has been following in her mother’s musical footsteps, brought a sense of youth and hope to the evening, further underscoring the event’s themes of unity and future generations. Their performance was a highlight of the night, reminding viewers of the importance of family, resilience, and the power of music to bring people together.
6. Gus Walz approves of his Dad’s speech
Gus Walz couldn’t hold back his emotions as he watched his father, Tim Walz, deliver his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention. The moment was filled with pride and admiration as Gus saw the culmination of his father’s hard work and dedication come to life on the national stage. For Gus, it was not just a political moment but a deeply personal one, witnessing his father step into a role that would shape the country’s direction.
7. Oprah delivers a surprise speech
No one likely expected this next speaker to grace the DNC stage in Chicago on Wednesday night. Oprah Winfrey, who mentioned “sweet home Chicago” in her DNC speech, surprised the crowd with her first speech at a political convention. “Voting is the best of America,” Winfrey declared, emphasizing the importance of voting one’s values—a principle she has upheld since becoming eligible to vote.
8. Kamala Harris acceptance speech
On a historic night at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Kamala Harris delivered her much-anticipated acceptance speech. The audience, filled with women dressed in white to honor the legacy of the women’s suffrage movement, stood alongside men, phones raised, to capture the moment as Harris accepted the presidential nomination.
9. Stevie Wonder performs on the third night
On the third night of the Democratic National Convention, legendary musician Stevie Wonder delivered a speech where he urged the crowd to “keep on keeping on until we truly are a united people of these United States” before taking the stage to perform his 1973 hit “Higher Ground.”
10. Balloon Drop at the DNC
If you felt the energy of the DNC through your TV or computer screen, it was even more electrifying in the United Center as red, white, and blue balloons dropped after Kamala Harris delivered her acceptance speech for the presidential nomination. Despite mixed feelings about the DNC’s content, Thursday night’s speech drew an average of more than 28 million viewers across cable television, according to Nielsen ratings.
