The former president said he hoped she would never regret marrying him

US election: Bill Clinton backs 'best friend' Hillary to lead US

Former US president Bill Clinton has set out the case why his wife and "best friend" Hillary should lead the nation.

He told the Democratic convention in Philadelphia that she was the "best darn change-maker I've ever known".

In a very personal speech, he spoke warmly about how they met and her dedication to public service.

Hours earlier, his wife became the first woman to be officially nominated for president by any major US party.

"I married my best friend," Mr Clinton said after explaining the story of how they met at Yale Law School in the spring of 1971.

"We've been walking and talking and laughing together ever since." he added.

The former secretary of state and first lady was uniquely qualified to be president, he said.

"Hillary opened my eyes to a whole new world of public service by private citizens," he said before recounting her early career.

Mrs Clinton passed the 2,382 delegates needed to claim the nomination after South Dakota announced its delegate vote count.

In a symbolic gesture of party unity, former Democratic rival Senator Bernie Sanders took the microphone to move to suspend the procedural rules and declare Mrs Clinton as the nominee by acclamation.

Members of the crowd erupted into cheers and held up Clinton signs.

In other highlights on Tuesday:

         Former US Attorney General Eric Holder said Mrs Clinton had the "strength to lead our already great nation", in a dig at Donald Trump's trademark slogan

         The "Mothers of the Movement," made up of parents who lost a child to police or gun violence, gave a powerful endorsement to Mrs Clinton

         Geneva Reed-Veal, the mother of Sandra Bland, who died in a police cell, said: "What a blessing tonight to be standing here so that Sandy can still speak through her momma"

         a group of Sanders supporters hold a sit-in inside a media tent

         president of Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards attacked Mr Trump's policies on women's rights

         Actress Lena Dunham said: "She knows we have to fight hatred of all kind, and not ignite it for the craven purpose of seeking power"

The second night focused on race and justice, topics that dominated last week's Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

Dissention on the convention floor plagued the first day when Sanders supporters booed throughout the event.

Senator Sanders scrambled to quell the protest by sending a text message and an email to delegates urging them to remain calm.

Mr Sanders later took centre stage as the final speaker on Monday night and directly told his supporters that ""Hillary Clinton must become the next president of the United States."

In declaring her the nominee, Mr Sanders echoed Mrs Clinton in a role she played eight years ago after a hard-fought primary.

At the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Mrs Clinton called for a vote for Barack Obama by acclamation, ending the roll call vote in an effort to unite the party behind his candidacy.