Democrats have formally nominated U.S. Senator Barack Obama as their presidential candidate, a historic first for a black American. VOA correspondent Meredith Buel has details from the Democratic Convention in Denver, Colorado.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, center, calls for the nomination of Sen. Barack Obama by acclamation at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, 27 Aug 2008

In a remarkable show of party unity, Obama's one-time opponent, Senator Hillary Clinton, asked delegates here at the convention to suspend a roll call vote of individual states.

"With eyes firmly fixed on the future, in the spirit of unity, with the goal of victory, with faith in our party and our country, let's declare together in one voice right here right now, that Barack Obama is our candidate and he will be our president," she said.

That led to roars of approval inside the packed convention hall and the following motion from Clinton, who said, "I move Senator Barack Obama of Illinois be selected by this convention by acclamation as the nominee of the Democratic Party for president of the United States."

It was then left to the convention chair and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi to call for the historic vote.  

New York delegates celebrate nomination of Barack Obama at Democratic National Convention

"All in favor to the motion to suspend the rules and nominate by acclamation Barack Obama as the Democratic Party's presidential candidate please say aye," she said.  

Delegates responded with a resounding, "Aye!"  

And then Pelosi said, "All those opposed, please say 'no.' Two-thirds of the delegates having voted in the affirmative, the motion is adopted"

Delegates then began celebrating, dancing back and forth in the convention hall, some with tears in their eyes.

The nomination sets the 47-year-old Obama on a path to face Republican Senator John McCain in the November election for president.