Democratic convention live: Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton speak

For most of his speech to the Democratic convention today, Barack Obama was his usual, unruffled self. But one moment seemed to get to him.

Former US president Barack Obama has launched an unprecedented attack on the man who replaced him in the White House, Donald Trump.

Mr Obama was the highest profile speaker on day three of the Democratic National Convention. He used that platform to unleash on Mr Trump's record as President.

"I did hope, for the sake of our country, that Donald Trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously. That he might come to feel the weight of the office, and discover some reverence for the democracy that had been placed in his care," Mr Obama said.

"But he never did. For close to four years now, he has shown no interest in putting in the work. No interest in finding common ground. No interest in using the awesome power of his office to help anyone but himself and his friends. No interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show he can use to get the attention he craves.

"Donald Trump hasn't grown into the job, because he can't. And the consequences of that failure are severe – 170,000 Americans dead. Millions of jobs gone, while those at the top take in more than ever. Our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before."

Later in the speech, Mr Obama grew unusually emotional, as he spoke about the struggles previous generations of African-Americans endured in their fight for civil rights. Read on for more details on that moment.

RELATED: Who is speaking at the Democratic convention, and when?

Other speakers today included vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris and 2016 presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

See how the day unfolded below.