Takeaways from the Democratic National Convention
Ask students: What were 2-3 important takeaways for you from the Democratic National Convention? Explain your response.
Summary
Day 1: President Joe Biden spoke between regular chants of “thank you, Joe!” to cap off the first night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The president, who dropped out of the race weeks ago and endorsed vice president Kamala Harris to lead the ticket, delivered what may be the final campaign speech of his long political career.
Day 2: "The Democratic National Convention’s (DNC) second night showcased a double dose of Obama firepower to validate Vice President Kamala Harris and deliver an unsparing indictment of Republican Donald Trump. The convention also served up a raucous roll call of states that was essentially one big dance party." — Associated Press
Also, check out this story on "6 takeaways from Day 2 of the DNC."
Day 3: "The Democratic National Convention’s third night showcased a familiar former president, Bill Clinton, and introduced more Americans to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, little known outside his state until Vice President Kamala Harris selected him as her running mate." — Associated Press
Check out this story on "6 takeaways from Day 3 of the DNC," or watch the video here. To hear Tim Walz's speech, watch the video here.
Day 4: Vice President Kamala Harris formally accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination on the last night of the Democratic National Convention. Calling on her friends, family and former colleagues along with celebrities and fellow lawmakers, Harris on Thursday evening said that if she were to win the White House, she would “promise to be a president for all Americans.”
Key Terms
delegate — a person who represents their state or district at their party's national convention, including party leaders, activists and volunteers
Warm-Up Questions
- How long is the Democratic National Convention (DNC)?
- Who has spoken at the DNC so far?
- What were a few key takeaways from Day 1 and Day 2 of the convention?
- When is the 2024 presidential election?
- Where is the DNC being held?
- Why are national party conventions held?
Focus Questions
What were 2-3 important takeaways for you from the Democratic National Convention? Explain your response.
Media literacy: Do your takeaways differ from what the news media highlighted as takeaways? Explain.
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?
For More
What students can do:
Check out the speeches that have been give at the Democratic Convention so far. Choose the one you are most interested in watching and summarize and share your thoughts about it with your class. Share why you chose this particular speech to highlight.
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
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