US election: when is the Democratic convention and why does it matter?

Democrats will gather in Chicago this week to formally nominate Kamala Harris as their pick for president and Tim Walz as her running mate

Kamala Harris is in Chicago to formally accept the nomination for president of the Democratic party, less than two months after Joe Biden dropped out of the race. She will appear alongside her running mate, Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, at the party's national convention.

The convention will also honor Biden's half-century career in politics as senator, vice-president and president, with Jill Biden among those paying tribute. He will give the keynote address Monday night and Harris is likely to join him on stage.

Monday, 19 August: Biden will speak on the opening night, along with former secretary of state Hillary Clinton.

Tuesday, 20 August: Former president Barack Obama will give an address on the second night.

Wednesday, 21 August: Former president Bill Clinton will join Walz on the convention's third night.

Thursday, 22 August: Harris will close out the fourth night of the convention.