History-maker Clinton accepts Democratic presidential nomination

Scripting history at the Democratic convention by becoming the first woman to accept the U.S. presidential nomination of a major political party, Hillary Clinton has said when there are no ceilings, the sky's the limit and criticised her Republican opponent Donald Trump over his policy promises.

Clinton was welcomed with loud cheers as she entered the arena and embraced her daughter Chelsea, who introduced her as the next President of the United States.

"It is with humility, determination and boundless confidence in America's promise that I accept your nomination for President of the United States," CNN quoted her as saying at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Taking a deep breath to collect herself as delegates in the crowd were in tears, she said, "When there are no ceilings, the sky's the limit."

The former secretary of state reached out to her former party opponent Bernie Sanders disappointed voters and said, "I want to thank Bernie Sanders."

"He put economic and social justice issues front and centre where they belong.. I've heard you. Your cause is our cause," she added.

The Vermont senator watched her from the arena, as she spoke of him.

Clinton then took an early swipe at Republican nominee Donald Trump.

"Don't let anyone tell you we don't have what it takes.Most of all, don't believe anyone who says: 'I alone can fix it," she said referring to Trump's acceptance speech at the Republican convention last week.

She mocked that Trump's speech didn't include real solutions that would help everyday Americans.

"He spoke for 70-odd minutes -- and I do mean odd," she said.

Her speech contrasted with Trump's acceptance address last Thursday in Cleveland, where the New York billionaire was brimming with policy ideas, which almost sounded like it was a State of the Union address.

On the business front, she rebuked Trump for making ties in China, not Colorado, suits in Mexico, not Michigan and furniture in Turkey, not Ohio and accused him of building his vast business on the backs of workers he had stiffed.

In the national security, she warned that a president has to take decisions about war and peace, life and death.

"Ask yourself: Do you really think Donald Trump has the temperament to be Commander-in-Chief? Donald Trump can't even handle the rough-and-tumble of a presidential campaign," she added.

She said that Trump loses his cool at the slightest provocation.

"When he's gotten a tough question from a reporter; when he's challenged in a debate; when he sees a protestor at a rally," she added.

On the nuke ideas of Trump she said, "A man you can bait with a tweet is not a man we can trust with nuclear weapons."

Clinton told Americans that the nation is facing a "moment of reckoning" as powerful forces try to tear it apart.

"Powerful forces are threatening to pull us apart. Bonds of trust and respect are fraying. It truly is up to us. We have to decide whether we all will work together so we all can rise together," she added.

On the conclusion of her speech, President Barack Obama congratulated her.

"Great speech," Obama tweeted.

"She's tested. She's ready. She never quits. That's why Hillary should be our next @POTUS. (She'll get the Twitter handle, too)," he said.