US election at-a-glance: 25 Aug

The Democratic National Convention opens in Denver, Colorado, with party leaders and family members paying tribute to Barack Obama's values and leadership. Michelle Obama says her husband would be an "extraordinary" president. Senator Edward Kennedy, despite serious illness, appears on stage to praise Mr Obama's promise, a message echoed by his niece Caroline in an emotional tribute to both men.

"The work begins anew, the hope rises again and the dream lives on."
Senator Edward Kennedy reprises the final line of his convention speech of 1980, as he addresses Denver in 2008.

We're not the fall-in-line party... But make no mistake, we are unified Hillary Clinton Election at-a-glance 16-22 August

"I come here as a wife who loves my husband and believes he will be an extraordinary president."
Michelle Obama takes the stage for her first major public address of the campaign.

"People know that I can give the kind of speech that I gave four years ago. That's not the question on voters' minds. I think they're much more interested in, what am I going to do to help them in their lives? And so, in that sense, this is going to be a more workman-like speech."
Barack Obama, in Illinois, talks about the speech he will give on Thursday as he accepts the party nomination.

"We are after all Democrats, so it may take a while... We're not the fall-in-line party. We are diverse. But make no mistake, we are unified."
Hillary Clinton urges supporters from her home state, New York, to believe in party unity.

"I'm proud of my record of service to this country and it has nothing to do with houses. What it has to do with [is] putting Americans in houses and keeping them in their homes. And that's what I know how to do."
John McCain, on Tonight with Jay Leno, tries to dampen the controversy over his not knowing how many homes he owns.

The all-important facts and figures on the 2008 convention, as compiled on the Democratic National Convention Committee's website:

• About 50,000 people, including some 5,000 delegates and 15,000 members of the media from the US and worldwide, are expected to attend the four-day event
• The delegates will cast 4,235 delegate votes for their preferred presidential nominee
• California, with 503 delegates, has the largest delegation, while American Samoa, with 13, has the smallest. Democrats Abroad - representing 12 different countries - sends 23 delegates
• Some 130 countries are represented by journalists attending and covering the convention
• The Pepsi Center, hosting the convention, stands 5,280 feet, or one mile, above sea level and covers 45 acres of land

Michelle Obama spoke about the importance of family when she addressed the convention on Monday night

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