"Five Key Highlights from the First Night of the Democratic Convention"

 The Democratic National Convention’s first night was marked by an extraordinary moment, just a month after President Joe Biden exited the presidential race and endorsed his former running mate, Kamala Harris. Breaking with tradition, Ms. Harris took the stage on the convention's opening night to express her gratitude for her predecessor.

"I want to kick us off by celebrating our incredible president, Joe Biden," she began.

The evening featured a diverse lineup of speakers, including Olympic gold medal-winning basketball coach Steve Kerr and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. However, it was Mr. Biden who delivered the prime-time address. He praised Ms. Harris's leadership and reassured the audience that America's best days were "ahead of us."

Here’s a recap of the night’s most memorable moments.

Cheers for Biden on a Bittersweet Day

A mere four weeks ago, President Biden intended to close the Democratic convention, anticipating a week filled with praise for his administration. However, after a turbulent month in U.S. politics, he instead spoke in support of his former running mate, Kamala Harris, from the United Center in Chicago.

Despite the unexpected turn of events, Biden was met with several minutes of uninterrupted applause from thousands of attendees. The crowd chanted “Thank you, Joe!” in appreciation of his service and his decision to pass the torch to Ms. Harris.

Tears and Laughter in Biden's Farewell Speech

The emotional response from the crowd brought tears to Biden’s eyes, especially after embracing his daughter Ashley, who had introduced him. He then delivered a 50-minute speech, highlighting his administration’s achievements and warning of the dangers posed by Republican nominee Donald Trump. This speech may be one of the last the president delivers to such an enthusiastic audience. The loudest applause came when he said, "America, America, I gave my best to you."

A Passing of the Political Torch

The first night of the DNC was not only about celebrating seasoned leaders like Biden and Clinton but also about showcasing the party's rising stars. Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and progressive lawmaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were among those featured, signaling a generational shift within the party.

Subdued Pro-Palestinian Protests

Outside the convention, thousands protested the Biden administration’s support of Israel’s war in Gaza. Although the demonstrations were smaller than anticipated, they were energetic enough to breach a security barricade, resulting in four arrests. Inside, Biden briefly acknowledged the protests, noting that the demonstrators "have a point," but he emphasized the loss of innocent lives on both sides.

Trump Labelled a 'Scab' by Labor Leaders

Labor issues took center stage on Monday night, with United Automobile Workers President Shawn Fain delivering one of the most memorable lines by calling Trump a "scab"—a term for someone who undermines organized labor. The remark, emblazoned on Mr. Fain’s shirt, was met with thunderous applause.

A Fresh Effort to 'Crack the Glass Ceiling'

In a speech reminiscent of her 2016 DNC address, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton declared that Kamala Harris would be the one to shatter the "highest, hardest glass ceiling" by becoming the first female president. Clinton, who has become a close adviser to Harris, expressed her confidence that Harris would succeed where she had fallen short. "On the other side of that glass ceiling is Kamala Harris raising her hand and taking the oath of office as our 47th President of the United States," she declared to roaring applause.