The Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago released the official speaker list and the timing for the third day of the 2024 convention, scheduled for early Wednesday evening. Headlined by former President Bill Clinton and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the vice presidential nominee, the event will showcase some of the party’s most prominent figures and rising stars.
The main programming for Wednesday is now set to begin at 4:00 am IST, a shift from the original 4:30 am IST start time. Organizers made this change to ensure that they “stay on track.”
The evening will include speeches from notable Democrats and anticipated future leaders. Although not officially listed, talk show legend Oprah Winfrey is expected to make an appearance, as informed by a person familiar with the schedule on the condition of anonymity.
Winfrey’s involvement brings anticipation as she famously endorsed then-Senator Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign. It remains unclear if she will endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running to become the first Black woman elected president.
Here is the complete schedule for Day 3 of the DNC:
4:00 am IST (5:30 pm CST):
The main programming for Wednesday is now set to begin at 4:00 am IST, a shift from the original 4:30 am IST start time. Organizers made this change to ensure that they “stay on track.”
The evening will include speeches from notable Democrats and anticipated future leaders. Although not officially listed, talk show legend Oprah Winfrey is expected to make an appearance, as informed by a person familiar with the schedule on the condition of anonymity.
Winfrey’s involvement brings anticipation as she famously endorsed then-Senator Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign. It remains unclear if she will endorse Vice President Kamala Harris, who is running to become the first Black woman elected president.
Here is the complete schedule for Day 3 of the DNC:
4:00 am IST (5:30 pm CST):
- Call to Order by Alex Hornbrook, Executive Director of the 2024 Democratic National Convention Committee.
- Gavel In by Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey.
- Invocation by Sri Rakesh Bhatt from Sri Siva Vishnu Temple and Bishop Leah D Daughtry from The House of the Lord Churches.
- Pledge of Allegiance led by students from Moreland Arts & Health Sciences Magnet School in St. Paul, Minnesota.
- National Anthem performed by Jess Davis.
- Presentation of Honorary Resolutions by DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison, joined by Vice Chairs Keisha Lance Bottoms, Ken Martin, and Henry R. Muñoz III, Treasurer Virginia McGregor, and Finance Chair Chris Korge.
4:30 am IST (6:00 pm CST):
- Welcome remarks by Senator Cory Booker.
- Joint remarks by Aftab Pureval, Mayor of Cincinnati, and Cavalier Johnson, Mayor of Milwaukee.
- Joint remarks by lead pipe removal advocates Rashawn Spivey and Deanna Branch.
Continued remarks:
- Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester from Delaware.
- Congresswoman Grace Meng from New York.
- Governor Jared Polis of Colorado on “Project 2025—Chapter Three: Freedoms.”
- Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz from Florida.
- Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
- Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.
- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
- Joint remarks by Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
Performance by singer-songwriter Maren Morris.
5:30 am IST (7:00 pm CST):
- Remarks by Congresswoman Veronica Escobar of Texas.
- Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut.
- Sheriff Javier Salazar of Bexar County, Texas.
- Congressman Pete Aguilar, Chair of the House Democratic Caucus.
- Influencer Carlos Eduardo Espina.
Further comments from:
- Olivia Troye, former Trump administration national security official.
- Former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan.
- Congressman Bennie G. Thompson from Mississippi.
- Retired United States Capitol Police Officer Sergeant Aquilino Gonell.
- Congressman Andy Kim from New Jersey.
- Influencer Olivia Julianna.
Performance by singer-songwriter and musician Stevie Wonder.
Remarks by comedian and actor Kenan Thompson along with guests on Project 2025.
6:30 am IST (8:00 pm CST):
- Host introduction by actress Mindy Kaling.
- Remarks by US House of Representatives Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
- Former President Bill Clinton.
- Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi of the US House of Representatives.
- Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania.
- Alexander Hudlin, Jasper Emhoff, and Arden Emhoff.
- Senator Catherine Cortez Masto from Nevada.
7:30 am IST (9:00 pm CST):
- Performance by National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman.
- Remarks by Maryland Governor Wes Moore.
- Remarks by Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
- Performance by singer-songwriter John Legend and singer-drummer Sheila E.
- Remarks from Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota.
- Benjamin C. Ingman, a former student of Governor Walz.
- Closing address by Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota.
- Benediction by William Emmanuel Hall, Lead Pastor of St. James Church in Chicago.
Wednesday’s theme is “A Fight for Our Freedoms,” focusing on the party’s commitment to defending and advancing American freedoms.
“Tonight’s theme, ‘A Fight for Our Freedoms,’ will showcase how Vice President Harris has spent her entire career fighting for America’s freedoms, and why she chose Gov. Walz as her running mate, including his record as a champion for America’s working families and a staunch defender of our fundamental freedoms,” stated Alex Hornbrook.
The daily themes for the convention are as follows:
- Monday: “For the People.”
- Tuesday: “A Bold Vision for America’s Future.”
- Wednesday: “A Fight for Our Freedoms.”
- Thursday: “For Our Future.”