Hillary Clinton gave an impassioned speech Thursday evening as she accepted the Democratic presidential nomination, urging Americans to work together "so we can all rise together."

The former Secretary of State made history by becoming the first woman to secure the presidential nomination for a major U.S. party. 

Clinton sought to draw a sharp contrast between herself and Republican rival Donald Trump, both on policy ideas and temperament.

"America is once again at a moment of reckoning," she said. "Powerful forces are threatening to pull us apart. Bonds of trust and respect are fraying. And just as with our founders, there are no guarantees. It's truly up to us. We have to decide whether we're going to work together so we can all rise together."

"We are clear-eyed about what our country is up against. But we are not afraid. We will rise to the challenge, just as we always have," Clinton added. 

Clinton thanked her primary opponent Bernie Sanders for putting "economic and social justice issues front and center, where they belong."

"And to all of your supporters here and around the country: I want you to know, I've heard you," she said. "Your cause is our cause. Our country needs your ideas, energy, and passion.  That's the only way we can turn our progressive platform into real change for America.  We wrote it together - now let's go out there and make it happen together."