Americans face challenges at home and abroad that demand steady leadership and a collective spirit, US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton says.
Accepting the Democratic presidential nomination at the party's national convention in Philadelphia, Mrs Clinton attacked her Republican rival Donald Trump for sowing fear and divisiveness.
In the biggest speech of her more than 25-year-old career in the public eye, Mrs Clinton promised to make the US a country that worked for everyone.
"We are clear-eyed about what our country is up against. But we are not afraid," she said.
She presented a sharply more upbeat view of the country than the dark vision Mr Trump offered at last week's Republican convention, and even turned one of Republican hero Ronald Reagan's signature phrases against the real estate developer.
"He's taken the Republican Party a long way, from 'Morning in America' to 'Midnight in America'," Mrs Clinton said.
"He wants to divide us - from the rest of the world, and from each other. He's betting that the perils of today's world will blind us to its unlimited promise."
Hillary Clinton has made history as the first woman to lead a major party ticket in the US. Photo: AFP
The speech was Mrs Clinton's turn in the spotlight after three days of electrifying appearances by President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and First Lady Michelle Obama, and Mrs Clinton acknowledged that some people still did not know her well.
"I get it that some people just don't know what to make of me. So let me tell you. The family I'm from, well, no one had their name on big buildings," Mrs Clinton said in a reference to Mr Trump.
She said her family were builders of a better life and a better future for their children, using whatever tools they had and "whatever God gave them".
Mrs Clinton said it would be her "primary mission" to create more opportunities and more good jobs with rising wages, and to confront stark choices in battling determined enemies and "threats and turbulence" around the world and at home.
Chelsea Clinton, Bill Clinton and Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine applaud Mrs Clinton's speech. Photo: AFP
"America is once again at a moment of reckoning. Powerful forces are threatening to pull us apart. Bonds of trust and respect are fraying," said Mrs Clinton, a former secretary of state. "No wonder people are anxious and looking for reassurance - looking for steady leadership."
Mrs Clinton, who is vying to be the first woman elected as US president, called her nomination "a milestone" and said she was happy for grandmothers and little girls and "everyone in between."
"When any barrier falls in America, it clears the way for everyone," the 68-year-old said in a speech that capped the four-day nominating convention.
Mr Trump, 70, a reality TV show host who has never held political office, is running just ahead of Mrs Clinton in a RealClearPolitics average of recent national opinion polls. They both garner high "unpopularity" ratings.
At a rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mr Trump said he was being criticized at the Democratic convention by people who had been friendly to him before.
"I think we'll stay here all night because I don't really want to go home and watch that crap," he said.
Mrs Clinton questioned Mr Trump's temperament during her speech. Photo: AFP
Inside the arena, it sounded at times more like a traditional Republican convention than a Democratic one. During retired General John Allen's remarks, chants of "USA!" filled the hall and large flags were brought in to be waved. Speakers, some of whom included military and police officers, made frequent mentions of religion and patriotism.
"I certainly know that with her as our commander-in-chief, our foreign relations will not be reduced to a business transaction, I also know that our armed forces will not become an instrument of torture," said Gen Allen.
Mr Trump has portrayed the country as being under siege from illegal immigrants, crime and terrorism and as losing influence in the world. He has proposed a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country and a wall along the border with Mexico to keep illegal immigrants out.
Photo: ABC
Khizr Kahn, a Muslim whose son was one of 14 Muslims killed while serving in the military since the 11 September 2001 attacks, drew cheers when he pulled out a pocket copy of the US Constitution and said he wanted to show it to Mr Trump.
"Hillary Clinton was right when she called my son the best of America. If it was up to Donald Trump he never would have been in America. Donald Trump consistently smears the character of Muslims," he said.
US senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio called Mr Trump a hypocrite who talked about opposing free trade deals to protect American workers but had the products sold by his companies made overseas.
"Now I've been fighting for a trade agenda for more than 20 years that puts American workers first and I can tell you that in all those years I've never ever seen Donald Trump," said Sen Brown, one of the most liberal members of the Senate.
"The only thing I've seen Donald Trump do when it comes to US trade policy is run his mouth and line his pockets," Sen Brown said.
The election will be held on 8 November.
- Reuters / BBC