DENVER, Colorado (CNN)  -- 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 »
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Barack Obama becomes first African American to lead major party ticket
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Delegates cry, cheer during historic night
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Former President Bill Clinton says Obama is ready to lead
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VP nominee Joe Biden slams Republican John McCain, his long-time friend
Bill Clinton
@placeholder cast Obama as the safe pick, and the only one who could bring about change.
Bill Clinton
@placeholder seemed to change that narrative as he declared his support for Obama.
Joe Biden
VP
Joe Biden
Continuing criticism leveled by Clinton and other speakers this week, @placeholder took to the stage and delivered an assault on Republican policies.
Republican
Continuing criticism leveled by Clinton and other speakers this week, Biden took to the stage and delivered an assault on @placeholder policies.
John McCain
The six-term senator pointed to his friendship with @placeholder, but said "I profoundly disagree with the direction that John wants to take the country."
John McCain
The six-term senator pointed to his friendship with McCain, but said "I profoundly disagree with the direction that @placeholder wants to take the country."