Kamala Harris accepts Democratic nomination on DNC Day 4

(NEXSTAR) — In the final moments of the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Vice President Kamala Harris accepted her nomination for president, after a week filled with entertainment and political stars and passionate pleas for the future of the United States.

Harris began the historical night by wishing her husband, Second Gentleman of the United States Doug Emhoff a "Happy birthday, Dougie."

'Kamala Harris: For the People'

Harris continued to talk about being raised in the Bay Area by her single mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris. Harris explained that her mother's family helped raise them up through "community, faith and the importance of treating others how you would want to be treated."

This further underlined a story Harris has previously told, about her childhood friend Wanda, whom she learned was being sexually abused by her father. As Harris recalls it, Wanda's injustice was what inspired her to pursue law.

Harris explained that from the beginning of her career, she took a vow: "Kamala Harris: For the People," and that she still considers only "the people" her boss.

"On behalf of the people, on behalf of every American.... on behalf of my mother, on behalf of anyone who has ever set out on their own unlikely journey. On behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on Earth: I accept your nomination to be President of the United States of America."

Harris vowed to be a president for all Americans, regardless of their political party.

'An unserious man'

Harris followed up the rousing acceptance by turning to her opponent, former Pres. Donald Trump, whom she dubbed "an unserious man" whose actions have and will have serious consequences on every American life.

Harris argued that Trump only cares about himself and helping enrich his and their pockets. Additionally she underlined Trump's admiration and warm relationship with Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin, in addition to North Korea's Kim Jong Un.

"I will not cozy up to dictators like Kim Jong-un who are rooting for Trump," said Harris. "They know Trump won’t hold autocrats accountable because he wants to be an autocrat himself."

Fire and warmth

Early speakers in the evening included equality advocate Rev. Al Sharpton, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass), Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa), and U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich). At the top of the night's second hour, Sharpton introduced some of the "Central Park Five," a group of Black and Latino men who were wrongly imprisoned as teenagers for a 1989 crime they didn't commit.

"45 wanted us 'unalived,'" said New York City Council member Dr. Yusef Salaam, representing the Five, pointing to former Pres. Donald Trump's role in pushing for the group's punishment, despite lack of evidence.

A moment of warmth and levity came when Meena Harris, the vice president’s niece, and Ella Emhoff, the vice president’s stepdaughter took the stage with Helena Hudlin, whose mother introduced Doug Emhoff and Harris. The three joked about Harris detractors who act as if they don't understand how to pronounce Harris' first name.

'Defend truth, democracy and decency'

Former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, an Illinois Republican, spoke Thursday night, with strong words for his party and its head.

"Donald Trump is a weak man pretending to be strong. He's a small man pretending to be big. A faithless man pretending to be righteous. A perpetrator who can't stop playing the victim," said Kinzinger. "He puts on quite a show. But there's no real strength there."

Kinzinger touted Harris' record, toughness and kindness in his support for the VP. He urged fellow Republicans to understand that Harris is the "right choice," and a way to walk the walk of "putting country first." The former representative joked about his inclusion (and welcome) from the Democrats, saying that despite its "sometimes awkward" vibe, he's proud to "defend truth, democracy and decency" along with the Democratic Party.

Kinzinger's final plea: "Vote for Kamala Harris!"

'The next great chapter'

Through her acceptance speech, Harris underlined movement forward, not backward. In addition to endorsing a ceasefire in Gaza, Harris vowed to stand strong with Ukraine, restore access to abortion at the federal level, and support a bipartisan border security bill.

Harris also explained the opportunity to finally pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act, which aim to increase access and protect election integrity.

In her final words of the night, Harris said: "Let's get out there and let's fight for it. Let's get out there and let's vote for it. And together, let us write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told. Thank you. God bless you. May God bless the United States of America."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.