Kamala Harris’s speech was the test of her political life. She passed, but there will be others – not least Gaza | Arwa Mahdawi

The Democrats' candidate radiated joy and energy, and talked as if she really cared. Still, the lack of pro-Palestinian voices in Chicago was notable

On 22 August 1964, a Black activist called Fannie Lou Hamer gave an iconic speech at the Democratic national convention (DNC), taking the party to task for its failure to support equal voting rights. Hamer did not get what she wanted that particular night in Atlantic City, but she helped pave the way for a new generation of American leaders.

On the 60th anniversary of that historic address, Kamala Harris stood centre stage at the DNC in Chicago as the Democratic party's candidate for president and gave the most important speech of her life. The buildup to Thursday night was intense; Harris had been prepping furiously for this pivotal moment, reportedly workshopping her speech nearly line by line".

Arwa Mahdawi is a Guardian columnist