Newly crowned White House nominee Barack Obama has taken the stage in Denver Colorado in a surprise appearance at the Democratic convention with his running mate Joseph Biden.
Obama, who wasn't due to address delegates until tomorrow, received a tumultuous welcome as he embraced Biden and Biden's wife Jill following an impassioned speech by his vice presidential nominee.
Obama declared his pride in having the whole Biden family with him on the journey to take America back and with deadpan delivery said he thought the convention had gone pretty well so far.
He added: "If I'm not mistaken, Hillary Clinton rocked the house last night!
"And just in case you were wondering, I think president Bill Clinton reminded us of what it's like when you've got a president who actually puts people first," he said, pointing to the smiling former first couple.
Obama explained that his decision to deliver his acceptance speech in front of more than 70,000 supporters at a Denver sports stadium, rather than in the convention hall, was designed to bring as many people in as possible.
"At the start of this campaign, we had a very simple idea, which is change in America doesn't start from the top down, it starts from the bottom up," he declared.
"That change is brought about because ordinary people do extraordinary things.
"And so we want to open up this convention to make sure that everybody who wants to come can join in the party, and join in the effort to take America back."