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How to watch the 2020 Democratic National Convention on CBC

The first virtual Democratic National Convention is underway. Watch the events live on CBCNews.ca starting at 9 p.m. ET and catch the Prime Time America Votes pre-convention special at 8 p.m. ET on CBC News Network.

Joe Biden to be confirmed as party's nominee for president Thursday

Former U.S. vice-president Joe Biden, left, is set to be confirmed as the Democratic Party's nominee for president on Thursday on the final night of a much scaled-back virtual Democratic National Convention. He has chosen Kamala Harris as his running mate. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, Gretchen Ertl/Reuters)

This year's unconventional U.S. Democratic National Convention began online on Monday.

The four-day convention was initially planned to take place last month in Milwaukee, the largest city in the key presidential battleground state of Wisconsin, and had been expected to inject about $250 million US into the local economy.

While the format has drastically changed, the party still made history by unveiling the nation's first Black vice-presidential nominee, Sen. Kamala Harris.

The former attorney general of California, Harris — who is of mixed race — is also the first vice-presidential nominee of South Asian heritage.

The lineup of speakers over the four days included former U.S. presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, as well as former U.S. secretary of state and presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, notable progressive Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Michelle Obama.

Former U.S. vice-president Joe Biden is expected to be confirmed as the Democratic presidential nominee Thursday. He'll be appearing from the Chase Center in Wilmington, Del.

Harris, speaking from the Hotel DuPont in Wilmington Friday, is the first Black and South Asian vice-presidential candidate. (Carolyn Kaster/The Associated Press)

Artists including Billy Porter, Stephen Stills, Billie Eilish, Jennifer Hudson, The Chicks and John Legend have put on prime-time musical performances as part of the convention.

Here's how to follow along on CBC News Network and online at CBCNews.ca:

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (Aug. 17-19):

Vassy Kapelos hosts an extended edition of Power and Politics from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET, with the 7-8 p.m. hour designated the America Votes convention pre-show.

The Prime Time America Votes special kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on  CBC News Network with Carole MacNeil in Toronto, Lyndsay Duncombe in Washington and Katie Simpson in Delaware delivering extensive coverage of the prime-time program and speeches. 

Meanwhile, CBCNews.ca will stream prime-time events live between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET.

Key speakers on Monday, Aug. 17: 

  • New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
  • Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
  • Michelle Obama.

WATCH | 'He cannot meet the moment,' Michelle Obama said of Trump in her Monday night speech:

Michelle Obama goes after Trump

4 years ago
Duration 18:24
In a passionate speech, former first lady Michelle Obama told Americans, "if you think things can't get worse, they can..." and she said they would if Donald Trump is re-elected.

WATCH | No less than 'future of our democracy' is at stake, Bernie Sanders said in his DNC address:

Sanders: 'The future of our democracy is at stake'

4 years ago
Duration 8:25
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who ran against Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination, appealed to anyone who voted for other candidates in the primaries to rally behind Biden.

Key speakers on Tuesday, Aug. 18:

  • Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
  • Former secretary of state John Kerry.
  • Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

WATCH | Biden accepts official nomination from his party:

Biden is officially nominated as Democratic presidential candidate

4 years ago
Duration 1:54
Following formal nominations by three people, Joe Biden celebrates with his wife, Jill, and his grandchildren.

WATCH | Ocasio-Cortez endorses Bernie Sanders as the party's nominee:

A progressive voice

4 years ago
Duration 1:38
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made brief remarks at the Democratic National Convention, speaking of the movement started by Sen. Bernie Sanders, who came second to Joe Biden as Democratic nominee.

Key speakers on Wednesday, Aug. 19:

  • Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
  • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi​​​​​​.
  • Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton.
  • Senator and Biden running mate Kamala Harris.
  • Former president Barack Obama.

WATCH | Kamala Harris accepts the vice-presidential nomination:

Kamala Harris accepts the nomination

4 years ago
Duration 19:47
Kamala Harris issued an urgent plea to voters and said she shares Biden's vision of America, "where all are welcome, no matter what we look like, where we come from, or who we love."

WATCH | Former U.S. president Barack Obama warns of existential threat to the republic:

'We have to... vote like never before': Obama

4 years ago
Duration 19:09
Former president Barack Obama delivers a takedown of Donald Trump while presenting Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the people who will "lead this country out of these dark times."

Thursday, Aug. 20

Vassy Kapelos hosts an extended edition of Power and Politics from 5 to 8 p.m., including the America Votes convention pre-show from 7 to 8 p.m.

The Prime Time America Votes special runs from 8 to 11:30 p.m. with Lyndsay Duncombe in Washington and Katie Simpson in Delaware bringing extensive coverage of the prime-time program and speeches. 

Biden takes photos with audience members at the end of a campaign event in Raleigh, N.C., before the pandemic. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)

Key speakers Thursday:

  • California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
  • Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
  • Senators Tammy Baldwin, Tammy Duckworth and Chris Coons.
  • Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.

CBCNews.ca will stream prime-time events live between 9 and 11 p.m.

You can find more details about the convention, including daytime events, at DemocraticConvention.com.

With files from The Associated Press