Clinton breaks 'glass ceiling'

PHILADELPHIA -- Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham Clinton Here are the 17 GOP women newly elected to the House this year Why the polls were wrong Obama hits Trump for refusing to concede, says there's 'no legal basis' for challenges MORE spoke to the Democratic National Convention late Tuesday night via video, playing up the historic nature of her selection as the party's presidential nominee.

"We just put the biggest crack in that glass ceiling yet. Thanks to you and to everyone who's fought so hard to make this possible," she told the arena packed with delegates and supporters, many of whom were crying.

The line carries special poignancy for Clinton and her backers; it's a spin on the message she delivered when she lost the 2008 Democratic primary to then-Sen. Barack ObamaBarack Hussein Obama Revised U.S. citizenship test requires more correct answers to pass Republicans seek to batter Warnock ahead of Georgia runoff Biden's 'I'm no Trump' campaign is not enough to govern MORE (Ill.).

"Although we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, it's got about 18 million cracks in it," Clinton said then as she bowed out of the race.

Clinton spoke to delegates in Philadelphia via satellite, with a large screen showing an image of breaking glass as she appeared. Earlier in the day, she made history as the first woman nominated to lead a major U.S. political party into a presidential election.

In her brief video appearance, which followed her husband's speech, Clinton addressed the young girls across America who stayed up to watch her speak.

"I may become the first woman president, but one of you is next," she said.

Clinton also thanked the gathered crowd for the "incredible honor you have given me."

"Hello, Philadelphia I am so happy. It has been a great day and night," she said.

Her remarks play into an underlying theme of Tuesday's conventions speeches: historic accomplishments by women.

A video that played shortly before highlighted some of those women’s accomplishments — including Amelia Earhart, the first female pilot to fly alone across the Atlantic Ocean — before a narrator said: “Tonight a little girl is watching this moment ... and realizing that she too can truly be anything she wants."

Just before the nominee's appearance, former President Bill ClintonWilliam (Bill) Jefferson Clinton The special peril of this transition Trump rails against Georgia recount process Chelsea Clinton blames Trump for Secret Service officers in quarantine MORE told decades of personal anecdotes to help reintroduce his wife to the American public.