Michelle Obama to Speak On Convention's First Night

Sen. Barack Obama's campaign announced yesterday that his wife, Michelle, will be the star attraction on the opening night at the Democratic National Convention in Denver on Aug. 25.

Following Michelle Obama on Monday, the "headline speakers" for the rest of the convention will be Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton on Tuesday, Obama's vice presidential choice on Wednesday, and Obama on Thursday. The convention will move that day to Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium, and Obama will officially accept the party's nomination before a crowd expected to reach 75,000.

Two of the dates will be rich with symbolism. Clinton, who came closer than any woman to winning a major-party nomination for president, will speak on the 88th anniversary of women receiving the right to vote, and Obama will give his acceptance speech on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech.

The Obama camp had previously said that Clinton would speak on Tuesday night, although negotiations continue about whether her name will be placed in nomination. The New York Daily News reported that Clinton has raised the idea of being introduced by her daughter, Chelsea. Former president Bill Clinton is scheduled to address the delegates on Wednesday night.

The Obama camp and the Democratic National Committee said additional details about the convention and speakers will be released this week.

-- Robert Barnes