DENVER: Barack Obama became the first black to be nominated by a major US party as its presidential candidate on Wednesday night.

     Democrats formally named Obama as their presidential nominee, putting their hopes of ending eight years of Republican control of the White House in his hands.

     The Democratic National Convention saw some real-life drama as former rival Hillary Clinton interrupted a state-by-state roll call vote to ask delegates to make Obama's selection unanimous "in the spirit of unity, with the goal of victory". They agreed, with a roar.

     Hours later, her husband and former US president Bill Clinton added his backing.

     He told delegates and a national television audience that Obama "is ready to lead America and restore American leadership in the world".

     Obama, who was across town as the delegates he won in months of primaries sealed his victory, visited the convention to thank his supporters. His formal acceptance speech on Thursday night (Friday morning Beijing time) was expected to draw a crowd of 75,000 at an outdoor stadium.

     Though the convention vote offered no surprises, its historical importance was undeniable. It capped the longest, closest US primary race in memory as Obama, a 47-year-old political newcomer, defeated Clinton, the former first lady whose victory once seemed all but