After three days of speeches from the Democratic Party's top brass, Thursday marks the convention's highlight — Joe Biden's acceptance speech for the party nomination.
Biden will deliver his acceptance speech from his home state of Delaware — a speech he's been waiting to give for more than 30 years. Biden first ran for president in the 1988 cycle and ran again in 2008 — which eventually landed him the role of Vice President.
While many national polls show Biden holding a double-digit lead over Trump, but Biden has mostly shied away from the spotlight during the general election cycle, preferring to hold virtual campaign events from his home amid the pandemic. With an audience of millions tuning in, Biden will face the most high-profile test of his campaign to date.
Biden will also be competing for airtime against his general election opponent, President Donald Trump, who scheduled an interview on Fox News during the 9 p.m. hour — just as the DNC is getting underway for the evening.
Several of Biden's opponents in the 2020 Democratic primaries will deliver speeches ahead of him this evening, including former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Sen. Corey Booker (D-New Jersey).
Thursday's program will also feature rising female stars in the party, like Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
John Legend, Common and The Chicks (formerly known as the Dixie Chicks) will offer musical performances during Thursday's event.
See a full schedule of Thursday's speeches and performances below.
“This Time Next Year”
- A "collection of everyday Americans and prominent leaders" describe where they want the country to be a year from now.
- Remarks by 2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang
Introduction
- Actress Julia-Louis Dreyfus
Pledge of Allegiance
- Led by Cedric Richmond, Jr., son of Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-Louisiana)
National Anthem
- Performed by The Chicks (Natalie Maines, Martie Erwin Maguire, and Emily Strayer)
Invocation
- Delivered by Sister Simone Campbell
Remarks
- Sen. Chris Coons (D-Delaware)
- Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms
A Tribute to John Lewis
- Directed by Dawn Porter
Musical performance
- John Legend and Common
Remarks
- Jon Meacham, writer and author
- Rep. Deb Halaand (D-New Mexico)
- California Sec. of State Alex Padilla
- Michigan Sec. of State Jocelyn Benson
- Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey)
“You Built America”:
- A Conversation on the Economy with Joe Biden
Remarks
- Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy
- Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin)
The Biden Plan: Military Families
- Joe and Jill Biden show commitment to military families in video.
Remarks
- Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois)
Tribute to Beau Biden
Remarks
- Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg
“United We Stand”
- A video that explores Biden's political opponents in the 2020 Democratic primaries
Remarks
- Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg
The Biden Grandchildren
- Video focused on Biden's family life
Remarks by Biden's children, Ashley and Hunter
Introduction of Joe Biden
Joe Biden Acceptance Speech
