Bernie Sanders said he is "proud to stand with" Hillary Clinton, while Michelle Obama said Clinton has "the guts and grace" to be president, as Democrats strove to appear unified at their national convention.
Sanders urged his supporters to back Clinton. He told the convention that "Hillary Clinton must become the next President of the United States." However, his supporters had arrived at the convention infuriated over leaked emails showing the Democratic National Committee had favoured Clinton in the primaries, despite vows of neutrality. They erupted in chants of "Bernie" and booed Clinton several times when her name was mentioned.
Vermont Senator and former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders addresses delegates on Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaAlex Wong/ Getty ImagesSenator Bernie Sanders addresses delegates on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Centre in PhiladelphiaChip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesSenator Bernie Sanders addresses the Democratic National ConventionWin McNamee/Getty ImagesFormer Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders speaks at the Democratic National ConventionGary Cameron/ReutersDelegates show their support for Bernie Sanders at the Democratic National ConventionAFP/Getty ImagesA supporter of former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders makes his way past delegates at the Democratic National ConventionMike Segar/ReutersA supporter of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders cries as the former Democratic presidential candidate addresses the Democratic National ConventionNicholas Kamm/AFPA Bernie Sanders supporter with a fake bird on his shoulder is seen on the floor on Day One of the Democratic National ConventionTimothy A Clary/AFPSenator Bernie Sanders walks off stage after delivering remarks on the first day of the Democratic National ConventionChip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Although Sanders couldn't quiet the shouts of his die-hard supporters, Michelle Obama could. She delivered a sharp attack on Trump — without ever mentioning his name. She said she wants to see elected "someone who understands that the issues a president faces are not black and white and cannot be boiled down to 140 characters." She lauded Clinton as a woman with a heart and as a future president who never "buckles under pressure" or takes the easy way out.
First lady Michelle Obama acknowledges the crowd before delivering remarks on the first day of the Democratic National ConventionAlex Wong/Getty ImagesDelegates stand and cheer as first lady Michelle Obama addresses the Democratic National ConventionJoe Raedle/Getty ImagesDelegates listen to a speech on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo CentreChip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Other big names on the first night included Elizabeth Warren, who delivered the keynote address. "I'm with Hillary. This choice is personal. It's about who we are as a people," she said. Warren called Clinton "one of the smartest, toughest, most tenacious people on this planet," contrasting her decades-long record of public service with Trump, whom she described as a man who has never sacrificed anything for anyone. "Donald Trump has no real plans for jobs, for college kids, for seniors," she said. "No plans to make anything great for anyone except rich guys like Donald Trump," she said.
Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) acknowledges the crowd as she walks on stage to deliver remarks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaJoe Raedle/ Getty ImagesSenator Elizabeth Warren speaks on the first day of the Democratic National ConventionWin McNamee/Getty Images
There were also big names from the entertainment world, including comedian Sarah Silverman, and musicians Demi Lovato and Paul Simon. Several speakers pleaded for peace between the Democratic factions. Silverman, a Sanders supporter, said she would support Clinton "with gusto" and admonished the Sanders fans. "To the 'Bernie or Bust' people, you're being ridiculous," she said, drawing a roar from the crowd and another round of competing cheers between Clinton and Sanders supporters.
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake bangs the gavel, calling to order the first day of the Democratic National ConventionJoe Raedle/Getty ImagesSarah Silverman speaks during the first day of the Democratic National ConventionChip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesSinger-songwriter Paul Simon performs on stage during the first day of the Democratic National ConventionJoe Raedle/Getty ImagesDelegates dance as Paul Simon sings during Day One of the Democratic National ConventionTimothy A Clary/AFPDelegates and attendees stand and cheer as singer-songwriter Paul Simon performs on stage during the first day of the Democratic National ConventionJoe Raedle/Getty ImagesDelegates dance at the Democratic National Convention in PhiladelphiaJim Young/ReutersDemi Lovato performs on Day One of the Democratic National ConventionBrendan Smialowski/AFPSenator Cory Booker reacts after actress Eva Longoria introduced him on the first day of the Democratic National ConventionAaron P Bernstein/Getty ImagesBoyz II Men performs on stage during the opening of the first day of the Democratic National ConventionChip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesA delegate hoisting a sign stands in the spotlight on the floor on Day One of the Democratic National ConventionBrendan Smialowski/AFPFormer President Bill Clinton shakes hands with Nancy Pelosi during Day One of the Democratic National ConventionRobyn Beck/AFPSenator Cory Booker speaks with former US President Bill Clinton during the first day of the Democratic National ConventionWin McNamee/Getty ImagesSenator Cory Booker speaks at the Democratic National ConventionMike Segar/ReutersJason and Jarron Collins, twin brothers and former professional basketball players, arrive on stage during Day One of the Democratic National ConventionSaul Loeb/AFPWisconsin delegate Angie Aker wears tape over her mouthChip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesDelegates from Michigan wear tape over their mouths reading 'Silenced By DNC' on the first day of the Democratic National ConventionChip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesAn attendee wears a hat with campaign memorabilia prior to the start of the first day of the Democratic National ConventionChip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesVarious hats are worn by delegates at the Democratic National ConventionReuters/Getty ImagesA delegate wears a jacket with an image of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary ClintonJoe Raedle/Getty ImagesA delegate wears Bernie Sanders glasses on the first day of the Democratic National ConventionChip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesAn all-gender toilet sign is posted on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Centre in PhiladelphiaWin McNamee/Getty ImagesRed, white and blue balloons hang in the rafters at the Wells Fargo CentreAaron P Bernstein/Getty Images
Trump gloated at the Democrats' opening day disorder. "Wow, the Republican Convention went so smoothly compared to the Dems total mess," he tweeted.
