While Obama was the headliner, he was not the only notable speaker.

Former Vice President Al Gore, who lost by the narrowest of margins in the Electorial College to Bush eight years ago, told the crowd, "So why is this election so close? Well, I know something about close elections, so let me offer you my opinion. I believe this election is close today mainly because the forces of the status quo are desperately afraid of the change Barack Obama represents," he said.

"You recognize that he represents a clean break from the politics of partisanship and bitter division. You understand that the politics of the past are exhausted, and you're tired of appeals based on fear. You know that America is capable of better than what you have seen in recent years. You are hungry for a new politics," Gore said.

Finally, it was party at Mile High, with Sheryl Crow, will.i.am, and Stevie Wonder performing. Many in the crowd were dancing and singing along when Wonder sang "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours."

Comments by other speakers at Thursday night's historic event:

• Martin Luther King III: "While waiting to come to the podium, I could not help thinking how proud my father would be: proud of Barack Obama, proud of the party that nominated him and proud of the America that will elect him."

• The Rev. Bernice King, daughter of King Jr.: "Tonight, freedom rings! From the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado, freedom rings!"

• Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia: "I was there that day when Dr. King delivered his historic speech before an audience of more than 250,000. I am the last remaining speaker from the March on Washington, and I was there when Dr. King urged this nation to lay down the burden of discrimination and segregation and move toward the creation of a more perfect union."

• "With the nomination of Senator Barack Obama tonight, the man who will lead the Democratic Party in its march toward the White House, we are making a major down payment on the fulfillment of that dream. We prove that a dream still burns in the hearts of every American, that this dream was too right, too necessary, too noble to ever die."

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