Hillary Clinton becomes first woman nominated by a major party to run for US President
She told supporters at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, US: "What an incredible honour you have given me"
HILLARY Clinton has been formally nominated as the Democratic candidate in the race for the White House, and became the first woman to run for the role of president of the United States.
Speaking to the National Convention, which was being held in Philadelphia, in the US, she said of the momentous moment: "What an incredible honour you have given me."
Clinton, 68, appeared via satellite from her home in New York, after her husband Bill spoke at the event.
Her face appeared on the screen as a collage of images of previous presidents, all men, shattered into pieces.
She told the crowd: "I am so happy. It has been a great day and night. What an incredible honour you have given me. - and I can't believe we just put the biggest crack in that glass ceiling yet.
"Thanks to you and to everyone who has fought so hard to make this possible. This is really your victory. this is really your night."
She then added: "If there are any little girls out there who stayed up late to watch. Let me just say I may become the first woman president. One of you is next."
However, despite Clinton clinching the nomination, it was decided they wanted to finish the roll call of all 57 states after the outrage showed by supporters of Sanders.
Her nomination had been confirmed earlier in the evening, when South Dakota pushed her required number of votes over the top.
Then the state of South Carolina, announced: "We proudly cast our 25 votes - 10 for Senator Bernie Sanders who inspired us all, 15 for the 45th president of the United States, and the first one who will be called Madam President, Hillary Clinton."
Hacked emails from the DNC revealed their was bias towards his rival, and it was felt he was not given a fair run in the race for nominee.
However, despite the divisions in the party, Sanders, after backing Clinton in a speech on Monday, took to the stage to call for a unanimous vote.
Vermont, his state, when called to cast their vote, indicating they were going to pass - the first sign he was planning to make the call.
After the roll call of all states was completed, they then announced it was 22 votes for their "beloved senator" and four for Clinton.
To cheers and applause, Sanders stood and addressed the crowd: "'I move that all votes, all votes cast by delegates, be reflected in the official record and I move that Hillary Clinton be selected as the nominee of the Democratic Party for president of the United States."
His gesture was a signal of unity and reconciliation, in a bid to stop the fracturing of the two factions of support within the party.
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Sanders looked emotional, and on the verge of tears, as he stood to address the Convention floor - and after speaking was hugged, cheered and applauded by the crowd.
With a call for the delegates to support the motion - it was announced: "the ayes have it."
However, Sanders supporters still showed they were not completely on board with what had just come to pass - with a group of them walking out of the convention hall.
Clinton will address the Convention on Thursday, when she will formally accept her nomination.
Earlier in the evening Sanders had wept as his brother Larry addressed the crowd and announced he was casting his vote for his sibling.
Mentioning their mother and father, Dorothy Glassberg and Eli Sanders, he said: "They would be immensely proud of their son and his accomplishments. They loved the New Deal and Franklin Roosevelt, and would be especially proud that Bernard is renewing that vision. It is with enormous pride that I cast my vote for Bernie Sanders."
A host of celebrities took to the stage at the event - including Hunger Games star Elizabeth Banks.
In the movie franchise she plays Effie Trinket, and drew a parallel between her character and Donald Trump.
She told the crowd her role was that of "a cruel, out-of-touch reality TV star who wears insane wigs while delivering long-winded speeches to a violent dystopia."
Banks then joked: "So when I tuned into Cleveland last week, I was like, "Hey, that's my act!'
"You know, part of me really likes being up here joking around, but the other part knows this election is too important for jokes. Because when I think about what this election means for America, I think about my family."
Meanwhile Girls star Lena Dunham and actress America Ferrera also had a few choice words to say about Trump.
Dunham joked Trump had rated her body a "two" while Ferrera, who has Mexican heritage, said she was in his eyes, "a rapist."
The penultimate speaker of the evening was Clinton's husband Bill, a former president of the United States himself.
His speech was eagerly awaited - it is usually the candidates wife who comes on to win over the hearts of voters.
However, with Clinton being the first woman to take up that mantle, the table's were turned.
Bill, 69, who held office from 1993 until 2001, was also the first former president to speak up for their partner in this role.
And he told the crowd saying the difference between Hillary and Trump was she was the "real one" when it came to being the person for job, and "the best darn change maker I have ever known. "
Before he took to the stage the Convention watched a video introducing him, as daughter Chelsea beamed with pride.
After thanking the audience for their support he spoke about his first meeting with his wife, and recalled their time together, giving her a personal edge many have criticised her for lacking in her campaign.
He spoke at length of her support for those with disability, always seeing their ability, her fight for civil rights and how she attempted to make things better for children.
Bill also discussed her work for a more equal society for African Americans, and what she has done in the war against terrorism, and her efforts as Secretary of State.
Recounting the way he met Hillary he said: "In the Spring of 1971 - I met a girl. The first time I saw her we were, appropriately in a class on political and civil tights - big blonde hair, big glasses, wore no makeup and exuded a sense of self possession I found magnetic. I got close enough to touch her back, but I couldn't do it."
He added: "I might be starting something I couldn't stop."
Bill said of his wife he was "impressed" and "surprised" and also "momentarily speechless" by her confidence and forthright nature.
Speaking of their time, they had talked and laughed together "in good times and bad, through joy and heartbreak."
Bill then continued to outline her time in college, when she changed party due to her interest in the civil rights movement.
He went on to discuss how she had spent an extra year at law school to study what could be done to improve the rights of children.
And he highlighted her passion to give everyone, regardless of their colour, access to equal education and her drive to be "always making things better."
Bill confessed he first proposed to Hillary on a trip to Great Britain but was told: " I can't do it."
The second time Bill said he tried a different tack: "I really want you to marry me but you shouldn't do it."
She told him: "That's not a very good sales pitch."
Hillary finally said yes when he bought a house for the pair of them and he told the convention: "I married my best friend."
Speaking of their daughter Chelsea he revealed when she was born he had "the absolute conviction that my daughter had the best mother in the whole world."
Running through both their careers, he highlighted the work she had done with children, pre-schoolers, and in hospitals, creating programs which helped make lives better.
Bill told the audience: "If you heard what I had heard at every dinner conversation and lunch conversation - this woman has never been satisfied with status quo in anything.
"She always wants to move the ball forward, that is just who she is."
Highlighting his wife as the person who could "make a change."
Bill revealed Hillary hesitated to say "yes" when Barack Obama asked her to join his cabinet because she so loved being senator of New York, and added "it was worth the effort and worth the wait."
Highlighting his wife "is" change, he talked about her work in setting up counter terrorism efforts and putting climate change at the centre of foreign policy."
Bill then urged the audience when comparing Hillary and Trump: "What's the difference? One is real, the other is made up. You just have to decide which is which my fellow Americans."
"The real one had done more positive change making before she was 30 than many have done in a lifetime in office."
He concluded his speech saying: "If she wins she is coming back for you, to take you on a ride for America's future."
Bill addressed Muslim supporters saying: "If you hate terror stay here and help us make a future together."
He then discussed the conflict in recent weeks which has resulted in shootings and said: "If you are a young African American dissolusioned and afraid...help us build a future where no one is frightened to walk outside, including the people who wear blue."
The former US president got a standing ovation as he concluded: "Hillary will make us stronger together - you know it. I hope you'll do it - I hope you will elect her."