Video: '1980 Jimmy Carter Democratic Convention Acceptance Speech'

(Thursday, August 14, 1980, 10:29-11:20 p.m. EDT; during the 1980 Democratic National Convention) — President Jimmy Carter of Georgia accepted the Democratic presidential nomination tonight at Madison Square Garden in New York City, declaring that he would “mount a campaign that defines the real issues, a campaign that responds to the intelligence of the American people, a campaign that talks sense. And we’re going to beat the Republicans in November.”

Carter was nominated Aug. 13, 1980, defeating Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts (who withdrew from the race on Aug. 11, 1980) 2,123 to 1,151 votes on the first ballot.

Much to his embarrassment, Carter had to chase Kennedy around the podium after his acceptance speech for the traditional convention-ending hands-raised gesture of presumed party unity. While Kennedy shook hands with Carter multiple times, he left the podium without raising his hands with Carter.

Video: 'New book looks at Kennedy, Carter and 1980'

Carter’s acceptance speech was also notable for his tribute to Hubert Humphrey, whom he first called “Hubert Horatio Hornblower.”

Vice President Walter Mondale of Minnesota was also nominated for a second term, defeating university professor Mel Boozer, the first openly gay person ever nominated for the office, 2,429 to 49 votes on the first ballot.

Video: '1980 Walter Mondale Democratic Convention Vice President Acceptance Speech'

The Carter-Mondale ticket would oppose the Republican ticket of former Governor Ronald W. Reagan of California for president and former Representative George H. W. Bush of Texas for vice president. (nominated last month) in the 1980 United States presidential election.