Michelle Obama's Stunning DNC Speech Will Give You Chills

Speaking before a divided Democratic Party, Michelle Obama delivered a truly unforgettable speech at the Democratic National Convention Monday night—one that confronted issues of race, gender, and Trump.

It's hard to believe that it's been eight years since Mrs. Obama first took the convention stage and introduced herself to the American public in a memorable speech that is still being quoted to this day. During her time in the White House, she has emerged as a truly beloved and inspirational figure, one recognized worldwide for her compassion, intelligence, and poise—even as her husband's opponents question his policy, his religion, and his status as an American citizen. In her last convention appearance as first lady, she used her platform to address some of the greatest challenges currently facing the nation and make a powerful argument for Hillary Clinton.

She began with a brief personal anecdote, reflecting on her husband's election to the presidency and how it completely transformed their daughters' lives. "I will never forget that winter morning as I watched our girls, just seven and ten years old, pile into those black SUVs with all those big men with guns," she said. "And I saw their little faces pressed up against the window, and the only thing I could think was, 'What have we done?'"

From that moment, she knew that she and President Obama had to set a strong, positive example for not only their own children, but for every person nationwide who looked to them for guidance. And Mrs. Obama made clear that Clinton's experience as a public servant and her longstanding commitment to bettering the country for our nation's children are the reasons why she's with her.

"Make no mistake about it, this November when we go to the polls, that is what we're deciding—not Democrat or Republican, not left or right. No, this election and every election is about who will have the power to shape our children for the next four or eight years of their lives," Mrs. Obama said. "And I am here tonight because in this election, there is only one person who I trust with that responsibility, only one person who I believe is truly qualified to be president of the United States, and that is our friend Hillary Clinton."

With protesters rallying outside—and many more disrupting the convention floor—Mrs. Obama sent a strong message to Bernie or Bust supporters, saying that anger and absence are not conducive to change. "When she didn't win the nomination eight years ago, she didn't get angry or disillusioned. Hillary did not pack up and go home," she said. "Because as a true public servant, Hillary knows that this is so much bigger than her own desires and disappointments."

She praised Clinton for her unwavering commitment to serving her country, even through years of being picked apart for her appearance, her laugh, her way of speaking—inane details that were all based in deep-rooted sexism. Without naming him directly, Mrs. Obama condemned Trump for his unpredictable, volatile nature, saying that, instead, the country needs a leader "who understands that the issues a president faces are not black and white and cannot be boiled down to 140 characters."

"Because when you have the nuclear codes at your fingertips and the military in your command, you can't make snap decisions," she continued. "You can't have a thin skin or a tendency to lash out. You need to be steady, and measured, and well-informed."

In a truly powerful reflection on how far America has come in its 240 years of existence, Mrs. Obama reflected on "the story of America," and all the struggles—and victories—that brought her to where she is today:

"That is the story of this country, the story that has brought me to this stage tonight, the story of generations of people who felt the lash of bondage, the shame of servitude, the sting of segregation, but who kept on striving and hoping and doing what needed to be done so that today, I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves and I watch my daughters—two beautiful, intelligent, black young women—playing with their dogs on the White House lawn. And because of Hillary Clinton, my daughters—and all our sons and daughters—now take for granted that a woman can be president of the United States."

She concluded her address with a powerful call to action to inspire all men and women throughout the country, saying that they "cannot afford to be tired, or frustrated, or cynical." Instead, Mrs. Obama urged voters to do what they did eight years ago and work to elect a transformational leader.

"So don't let anyone ever tell you that this country isn't great, that somehow we need to make it great again. Because this, right now, is the greatest country on earth," Mrs. Obama said. "And as my daughters prepare to set out into the world, I want a leader who is worthy of that truth, a leader who is worthy of my girls' promise and all our kids' promise, a leader who will be guided every day by the love and hope and impossibly big dreams that we all have for our children."

Unsurprisingly, Mrs. Obama's speech was met with overwhelming support, including a beautiful (and romantic) response from her husband:

Watch the entire powerful speech below: