PHILADELPHIA -- Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Democratic super PAC to hit Trump in battleground states over coronavirus deaths Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight MORE spoke to the Democratic National Convention late Tuesday night via video, playing up the historic nature of her selection as the party's presidential nominee.

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"We just put the biggest crack in that glass ceiling yet. Thanks to you and to everyone who's fought so hard to make this possible," she told the arena packed with delegates and supporters, many of whom were crying.

The line carries special poignancy for Clinton and her backers; it's a spin on the message she delivered when she lost the 2008 Democratic primary to then-Sen. Barack Obama Barack Hussein ObamaDemocratic Senate campaign arm outraises GOP by M in August A federal court may have declared immigration arrests unconstitutional Blunt says vote on Trump court nominee different than 2016 because White House, Senate in 'political agreement' MORE (Ill.).

"Although we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, it's got about 18 million cracks in it," Clinton said then as she bowed out of the race.

Clinton spoke to delegates in Philadelphia via satellite, with a large screen showing an image of breaking glass as she appeared. Earlier in the day, she made history as the first woman nominated to lead a major U.S. political party into a presidential election.

In her brief video appearance, which followed her husband's speech, Clinton addressed the young girls across America who stayed up to watch her speak.

"I may become the first woman president, but one of you is next," she said.

Clinton also thanked the gathered crowd for the "incredible honor you have given me."

"Hello, Philadelphia I am so happy. It has been a great day and night," she said.

Her remarks play into an underlying theme of Tuesday's conventions speeches: historic accomplishments by women.

A video that played shortly before highlighted some of those women’s accomplishments — including Amelia Earhart, the first female pilot to fly alone across the Atlantic Ocean — before a narrator said: “Tonight a little girl is watching this moment ... and realizing that she too can truly be anything she wants."

Just before the nominee's appearance, former President Bill Clinton William (Bill) Jefferson ClintonBattle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight Sunday shows - Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death dominates Bill Clinton on GOP push to fill Ginsburg vacancy: Trump, McConnell 'first value is power' MORE told decades of personal anecdotes to help reintroduce his wife to the American public.

He also took a veiled swing at supporters of Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersNYT editorial board remembers Ginsburg: She 'will forever have two legacies' Two GOP governors urge Republicans to hold off on Supreme Court nominee Sanders knocks McConnell: He's going against Ginsburg's 'dying wishes' MORE, some of whom are openly wary of backing Hillary Clinton, calling her "the best damn change-maker I've met in my entire life."

Jonathan Swan contributed.