The 2012 Democratic National Convention kicks off September 4 as President Obama and Vice President Biden fight for reelection. Hundreds of delegates have arrived in Charlotte, North Carolina to hear and give speeches from those of the Democratic Party. The convention will continue through Thursday, September 6.
The 2012 Democratic National Convention will be split into two locations. The first two days, Tuesday, September 4 and Wednesday, September 5, will take place at the Time Warner Cable Arena. On the third day, Thursday, September 6 , President Obama and Vice President Biden will accept their Democratic nominations at the Bank of America Stadium.
Many will speak at this year's convention but there are some notable speakers that people are really looking forward to hearing. On Tuesday, First Lady Michelle Obama and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, the first Latino keynote speaker in convention history, will speak. Former President Bill Clinton will speak on Wednesday. Vice President Joe Biden and, of course, President Obama will speak on Thursday.
In addition to the speakers, there will also be some performances during the 2012 DNC. They include Amber Riley from Glee; Jessica Sanchez from American Idol; jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis; hip hop icon Mary J. Blige; Earth, Wind, and Fire; the Foo Fighters; Delta Rae; Marc Anthony; and James Taylor.
Here is the schedule of the opening day of the 2012 Democratic National Convention. The times are based on the local time in North Carolina.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM (LOCAL)
Call to Order
The Honorable Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Chair of the Democratic National Committee
Member of the US House of Representatives, Florida
Invocation
His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas
Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Detroit
Presentation of Colors
Disabled American Veterans, The Stanly County Chapter 12 Honor Guard
Pledge of Allegiance
3rd Grade Class, W.R. O'Dell Elementary School
Concord, North Carolina
National Anthem
Amber Riley
Singer/songwriter and 'Glee' actress
Remarks
Stephen J. Kerrigan
Chief Executive Officer of the Democratic National Convention Committee
Welcome Video
Presentation of Credentials Committee Report from Co-Chairs
Bishop Vashti McKenzie
First woman elected as bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
The Honorable Julian Castro
Mayor of San Antonio, Texas
Presentation of Rules Committee Report from Co-Chairs
The Honorable Kamala D. Harris
State Attorney General of California
The Honorable Martin O'Malley
Governor of Maryland
Appointment of Convention Officers
Gaveling-in of Permanent Chair
The Honorable Antonio R. Villaraigosa
Chair of the 2012 Democratic National Convention Committee
Mayor of Los Angeles, California
Remarks
The Honorable Steny Hoyer
Parliamentarian of the 2012 Democratic National Committee Convention
Democratic Whip and Member of the US House of Representatives, Maryland
Andrew Tobias
Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee
Alice Germond
Secretary of the Democratic National Committee
Roll Call for Attendance
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (LOCAL)
Platform Committee Remarks
The Honorable Barbara Lee
Member of the US House of Representatives, California
Lieutenant General Claudia Kennedy (Retired)
First woman to reach rank of three-star general in the US Army
Platform Video and Remarks
The Honorable Cory A. Booker
Mayor of Newark, New Jersey
Remarks
The Honorable Bev Perdue
Governor of North Carolina
American Hero Video: Education
American Voices Remarks
Ryan Case
Remarks
Mary Kay Henry
International President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Remarks from Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
The Honorable Charles Gonzalez
Member of the US House of Representatives, Texas
Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
The Honorable Nydia M. Velazquez
Member of the US House of Representatives, New York
Remarks
The Honorable Pat Quinn
Governor of Illinois
Remarks
Doug Stern
Cincinnati, Ohio Firefighter
Remarks
The Honorable Tim Kaine
Candidate for the US Senate, Virginia
Former Governor of Virginia
Former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (LOCAL)
Remarks
The Honorable Anthony R. Foxx
Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina
The Honorable Harry Reid
Democratic Majority Leader and Member of the US Senate, Nevada
An Economy Built to Last Video: Education
Women of the US House of Representatives
Jimmy Carter Video
Remarks
The Honorable Ken Salazar
Kennedy Family Tribute Video
Remarks
Joe Kennedy III
Candidate for the US House of Representatives, Massachusetts
Live Performance
Ledisi
Singer/songwriter
Remarks
The Honorable Robert Wexler
President of the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace
Former Member of the US House of Representatives, Florida
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM (LOCAL)
Remarks
The Honorable R.T. Rybak
Mayor of Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Honorable Jared Polis
Member of the US House of Representatives, Colorado
Stronger Together Video: Reproductive Choice
American Voices Remarks
Maria Ciano
Remarks
Nancy Keenan
President of the National Abortion Rights Action League - Pro-Choice America (NARAL)
Progress for People Video: American Veterans
American Voices Remarks
Nate Davis
Remarks
The Honorable Tammy Duckworth
Candidate for the US House of Representatives, Illinois
Former Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Veterans Affairs
The Honorable Lincoln Chafee
Governor of Rhode Island
The Honorable James E. Clyburn
Assistant Democratic Leader and Member of the US House of Representatives, South Carolina
Progress for People Video: Health Care
American Voices Remarks
Stacey Lihn
Remarks
The Honorable Xavier Becerra
Democratic Caucus Vice Chair and Member of the US House of Representatives, California
9:00 PM - 10:00 PM (LOCAL)
The Honorable Ted Strickland
Former Governor of Ohio
The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius
The Honorable Rahm Emanuel
Mayor of Chicago, Illinois
Former White House Chief of Staff
Remarks
Kal Penn
Actor/Producer
Former Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement
Remarks
Craig Robinson and Maya Soetoro-ng
Brother of Mrs. Obama and Sister of President Obama
Stronger Together Video: Equal Pay
Remarks
Lilly Ledbetter
Women's equality leader and namesake of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
The Honorable Deval Patrick
Governor of Massachusetts
10:00 PM - 11:00 PM (LOCAL)
The Honorable Martin O'Malley
Governor of Maryland
Introduction of Keynote Speaker Julian Castro
Joaquin Castro
Brother of Mayor Julian Castro
Candidate for the US House of Representatives, Texas
Keynote Address
The Honorable Julian Castro
Mayor of San Antonio, Texas
Michelle Obama Video and Remarks
Elaine Brye
Remarks
Michelle Obama
First Lady of the United States
Benediction
Jena Lee Nardella
Founder and Executive Director of Blood: Water Mission
Recess
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader