DNC Day 4: Kamala Harris to give acceptance speech - Complete schedule and IST timings - Times of India

The fourth and final day of the 2024 Democratic National Convention is unfolding in Chicago, with the evening set to culminate in Vice President Kamala Harris accepting her party’s nomination. The event, carrying the theme “For Our Future,” is packed with speeches from key battleground state Democrats, celebrity appearances, and performances, all starting at 4:00 am IST and wrapping up just after 9:30 am IST.
A Vision for the Future
The convention is a grand showcase of the Democratic Party‘s vision, emphasising progress and continuity with the Biden Administration‘s efforts.The goal is to present a united front, rallying the base, and setting the stage for the upcoming elections. Despite minor delays earlier in the week, the organisers have managed to maintain a tight schedule, with Wednesday night’s events concluding just before 9:30 am IST. To avoid further delays, the convention has been starting progressively earlier each evening.
When and how to watch DNC Live event?
All four-floor sessions of the Democratic National Convention will be live-streamed on several US news sites including their streaming channels. Streaming schedule for the remaining days (all times Central):Thursday: 5:30 pm (4 am IST) to 10 p.m. (8:30 am IST).
Speakers and highlights
The evening will kick off at 4:00 am IST with Minyon Moore, Chair of the 2024 Democratic National Convention Committee, officially calling the convention to order. This will be followed by a gavel-in by The Honorable Veronica Escobar, a US House Representative from Texas. Everett Kelly, National President of the American Federation of Government Employees, and Imam Muhammad Abdul-Aleem from Masjidullah Mosque in West Oak Lane, PA will give the invocation. The Illinois State Police Honor Guard will present the colours, and Luna Maring, a 6th grader from Oakland, California, will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Escobar will then deliver welcome remarks.
The main program will feature an impressive lineup of speakers, each contributing to the overarching theme of moving the country forward:

  • Becky Pringle, President of the National Education Association, and Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, will deliver joint remarks.
  • The Honorable Alex Padilla, US Senator from California, and Marcia L. Fudge, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, will also address the convention.
  • Other notable speakers include Ted W. Lieu, Tammy Baldwin, Katherine Clark, Joe Neguse, Leonardo Williams, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Bob Casey, Elizabeth Warren, Jason Crow, Elissa Slotkin, Pat Ryan, Reverend Al Sharpton, and representatives of the Central Park Five.

At 5:30 am IST, a diverse group of speakers will share their perspectives:

  • Amy Resner, a former prosecutor and friend of Vice President Harris
  • Karrie Delaney, Director of Federal Affairs at the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
  • Lisa Madigan, former Attorney General of Illinois
  • Marc H. Morial, President of the National Urban League
  • Nathan Hornes, a former student at Corinthian Colleges
  • Tristan Snell, a former New York State Assistant Attorney General
  • Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts

The evening will continue with impactful talks from:

  • Courtney Baldwin, a youth organizer and human trafficking survivor
  • Deb Haaland, a prominent political figure
  • John Russell, content creator
  • Maxwell Alejandro Frost, US House Representative from Florida
  • Colin Allred, US House Representative from Texas, alongside representatives from various states on “A New American Chapter”

Performances and more
The National Anthem will be performed by The Chicks at 6:30 am IST, introduced by host Kerry Washington. Additional highlights include joint remarks by Meena Harris, Ella Emhoff, and Helena Hudlin. D.L. Hughley will also address the audience, followed by remarks from Chris Swanson, the Sheriff of Genesee County, Michigan. A conversation on gun violence will be led by Lucy McBath, US House Representative from Georgia, with contributions from Abbey Clements (Newton, Connecticut), Kim Rubio (Uvalde, Texas), Melody McFadden (Charleston, South Carolina), and Edgar Vilchez (Chicago, Illinois).
Former US House Representative Gabrielle Giffords will speak before a performance by PINK. Following that, additional remarks will come from:

  • Mark Kelly, US Senator from Arizona
  • Leon E. Panetta, former US Secretary of Defense
  • Ruben Gallego, US House Representative from Arizona
  • Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan

The 7:30 am IST slot will feature actress and producer Eva Longoria, followed by remarks from former US House Representative Adam Kinzinger and Maya Harris. Roy Cooper, Governor of North Carolina, will also take the stage before Vice President Kamala Harris delivers her much-anticipated acceptance speech.
Anticipation and speculation
While the official program has confirmed performances by PINK and The Chicks, there’s growing speculation about additional surprise performers, possibly Beyoncé or Taylor Swift. This buzz was fueled by White House Political Director Emmy Ruiz’s cryptic bee emoji post on X (formerly Twitter), stirring excitement among Beyoncé’s fanbase. Taylor Swift’s recent return to the US from her European tour has only added to the rumours.
As the convention draws to a close, all eyes will be on Kamala Harris as she outlines her vision and policy agenda for America. The final day of the convention, encapsulated by the theme “For Our Future,” seeks to galvanize the Democratic base, unify the party, and inspire voter confidence as the 2024 elections approach.
The four-day convention began with the theme “For the People” on Monday, followed by “A Bold Vision for America’s Future” on Tuesday, and “A Fight for Our Freedoms” on Wednesday. These themes underscore the Democratic Party’s focus on collective progress and future aspirations, aiming to project a unified front as they head into the final stretch before the elections.