DENVER, Colorado (CNN)  -- On a historic night for America, Barack Obama secured the Democratic Party's nomination for president and emerged for the first time on stage in Denver with running mate Sen. Joe Biden. Obama on Wednesday officially became the first African American to lead a major party ticket. Delegates cried and cheered as former rival Sen. Hillary Clinton motioned to cut the roll call vote short, saying "Let's declare together with one voice right here, right now, that Barack Obama is our candidate and he will be our president." The dramatic move was carefully choreographed to put down any fears of a divided party following the protracted primary battle. Watch emotional crowd nominate Obama »
@highlight
Barack Obama becomes first African American to lead major party ticket
@highlight
Delegates cry, cheer during historic night
@highlight
Former President Bill Clinton says Obama is ready to lead
@highlight
VP nominee Joe Biden slams Republican John McCain, his long-time friend
The six-term senator pointed to his friendship with @placeholder, but said "I profoundly disagree with the direction that John wants to take the country."