Hillary Clinton makes history after officially being named Democratic presidential nominee

Hillary Clinton has made history by officially securing the Democratic presidential nomination.

She is the first woman to have been made the presidential nominee of a major US political party.

Delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia erupted into cheers when Ms Clinton’s main competitor, Bernie Sanders threw his support behind the presumptive nominee.

"I move that Hillary Clinton be selected as the nominee of the Democratic Party for president of the United States," Sanders declared.

Sanders’ last minute endorsement of Ms Clinton is being paralleled to 2008 when Ms Clinton took the stage to throw her support behind US President Barack Obama.

Supporters chanted “Hillary, Hillary” as US Senator Barbara Mikulski formally put forward Ms Clinton’s name for the roll-call vote.

“It is with a full heart that I'm here today to nominate Hillary Clinton to be the first woman president," Mikulski told the crowd.

Shortly after securing the nomination, Ms Clinton tweeted “This moment is for every little girl who dreams big”.

Ms Clinton’s husband and former US President Bill Clinton also tweeted saying “So proud of you, Hillary”.

Supporters of Ms Clinton say her past experience with the government is what the United States needs during a time of economic uncertainty and deep racial tension.

She will take on Republican nominee Donald Trump, who was nominated at a convention in Cleveland last week, in the November election.