It was not the speech Joe Biden had envisioned giving, especially not under these circumstances and in this year. But if anyone understands how quickly fortunes can change, it’s this president, whose life has been marked by both personal and professional challenges.

Addressing a packed arena in Chicago on the first night of the Democratic National Convention, Biden passionately defended his presidency, revisiting many of the themes he campaigned on in 2020 and earlier this year before withdrawing from his re-election bid in mid-July after a disastrous debate performance.

“Like many of you, I gave my heart and soul to this nation,” Biden said, his voice resonating through the nearly hour-long speech that was repeatedly interrupted by chants of “Thank you, Joe.”

Biden took the stage after being introduced by his daughter Ashley and wife Jill, who told the crowd she had “seen him dig deep into his soul” when he made the difficult decision to exit the race. After hugging Ashley, Biden wiped away tears with a tissue, then touched his heart and straightened up, offering a broad smile as the audience continued to cheer.

The speech, with an eye on his legacy, also devoted significant attention to his vice-president, Kamala Harris, whom he hopes will succeed him in the White House. “Selecting Kamala was the very first decision I made when I became our nominee, and it’s the best decision I made in my entire career,” he said. “She’s tough, she’s experienced, and she has enormous integrity.”

Though Biden did not explicitly speak of passing the torch to a new generation, the message was clear. After he concluded his remarks, Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff joined Biden and Jill on stage, embracing them warmly. “I love you,” Harris mouthed to Biden during their hug.

While Biden focused much of his speech on Harris—a recognition that her performance against Donald Trump in November’s election could define how history and the Democratic Party remember him—many of the evening’s earlier speakers centered their praise on Biden himself.

The night began with a surprise appearance by Harris, who took the stage to overwhelming applause. “Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, for your lifetime of service to our nation, and for all you continue to do,” she said. “We are forever grateful to you.”