DENVER — Wednesday’s breakfast for the Georgia delegation was highlighted by a stirring speech by former president Jimmy Carter.

He spoke of the historical significance of this year’s race and reviewed voting history in the South since 1964. He also said that he was an expert on the importance of party unity, having won in 1976 when the Republican Party was divided and having lost in 1980 when the Democratic Party was divided. He urged the delegation to work together to elect Barack Obama as President of the United States.

Wednesday’s agenda for the Democratic National Convention was expected to be historic because for the first time in America’s history, an African-American was scheduled to be officially nominated for president. The excitement of the evening was enhanced by the scheduled appearances of former president Bill Clinton and Senator Joe Biden, vice presidential nominee. However, the script was changed, and the delegates were treated to a few unexpected surprises.

In the afternoon, we headed to the Pepsi Center for the nominations of the presidential candidates — Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Senator Barack Obama. After lunch, Sen. Clinton had released her delegates. Anticipation was high in the arena as the alphabetical roll call of the states began. Each state announced the delegates’ votes with accolades to promote the respective state. Of course, Georgia had much to share, since it is the greatest state in the union! Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and DPG Chairman Jane Kidd announced Georgia’s 82 votes for Obama and 18 for Clinton. As the state roll call continued, Sen. Clinton dramatically swept into the arena, made her way through the crowd with a phalanx of secret service, and joined the New York delegation. New Mexico yielded to Illinois, home state of Barack Obama. Illinois yielded to New York, home state of Hillary Clinton. Standing by the New York Governor, Clinton herself took the microphone and made a motion to suspend party rules, end the state roll call, and nominate Senator Obama for president by acclamation. That announcement brought the delegates to their feet with a chorus of enthusiastic cheers. It was exhilarating being there, watching history be made!

Later that evening, former president Clinton added to the commitment to unity. Delegates responded enthusiastically to the economic and diplomatic successes of his eight years as president. And he extolled the economic and diplomatic accomplishments of the Democratic nominee for vice president, Senator Joe Biden.

Following Biden’s acceptance speech, Obama made an unexpected visit on stage. Cheers of “Obama!” “Obama!” were all that could be heard for a while. His brief appearance further intensified his acceptance speech scheduled for Thursday night.