Joe Biden accepted the Democratic nomination for the U.S. presidency with "honor and humility" on Thursday evening before delivering a blistering attack on Republican rival Donald Trump, repeatedly contrasting light with darkness and promising to represent all Americans if elected on November 3.

"If you entrust me with the presidency, I will draw on the best of us, not the worst," the former vice president said. "I'll be an ally of the light, not the darkness."

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In the biggest speech of his political life so far, delivered to a near-empty ballroom in Wilmington, Delaware, the 77-year-old said character, compassion, science, democracy and decency are on the ballot in November during an address which compared his record and character to that of Trump.    

"This is our moment to make hope and history rhyme," the Democratic nominee said, with 75 days to go until election day. "This is our moment. This is our mission."

Biden warned the United States was facing "four historic crises" at one time – the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy, racial injustice and climate change – and, invoking Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal, pledged big solutions.

He promised to protect social security and Medicare in a nod to older voters, equal pay for women and reform of the education system, while making a pledge to address systemic racism.

"All elections are important," he said. "We know in our bones this is more consequential. This is a life-changing election."

Biden sought to contrast his own character and record with that of Trump, whose name he did not mention throughout the speech. 

The former vice president accused the current president of having failed to protect citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Our current president has failed in his most basic duty to the nation," he said. "He's failed to protect us. He's failed to protect America. And my fellow Americans, that is unforgivable."

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Biden offered condolences to the families of the 170,000 Americans who have died of COVID-19 and promised to take charge of the situation, adding "I have some idea how it feels to lose someone you love" in a nod to his family history.

He warned that while there was "no miracle" cure, the future would be bleak if Trump is reelected. "Cases and deaths will remain far too high. More mom and pop businesses will close their doors – and this time for good. Working families will struggle to get by."

Biden was joined on an outdoor stage, with fireworks overhead, after the speech by his wife Jill, running mate Kamala Harris and her husband Douglas Emhoff.

In a speech that wrapped up the four-day Democratic convention, Biden earlier praised Harris' record.

"Her story is the American story. She knows about all the obstacles thrown in the way of so many," he said. "But she's overcome every obstacle she's ever faced.”

The speech wrapped up the Democratic convention, and eyes now turn to next week's Republican event which begins on Monday. 

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