Hillary Clinton's moment in history after claiming Democratic presidential nomination

• Hillary Clinton announces “a moment in history”
• Clinton becomes presumptive Democratic nominee
• After victory Clinton calls for party unity

Hillary Clinton has declared herself the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee breaking what she called “the glass ceiling of opportunity for women”.

It follows beating rival Bernie Sanders in the New Jersey primary, expanding her lead a day after US media said she had already captured enough delegates to secure the nomination.

“Thanks to you we’ve reached a milestone. For the first time in our nation’s history that a woman will be a major party’s nominee for President of the United States.”

Let's build an America that respects and embraces the potential of every last one of us.https://t.co/q9iPKDnnpI

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 7, 2016

“Let there be no mistake, Senator Sanders, his campaign and the vigorous debate that we’ve had about to raise incomes, reduce inequality, increase upward mobility have been very good for the Democratic Party and for America.”

Clinton’s nomination won’t be confirmed until the Democratic Party’s Convention in July. In the meantime her priority will be to try and unite the party after her intense battle with Sanders.

Unity is better than division, empowerment is better than resentment, and bridges are better than walls. pic.twitter.com/FZbfs0Fc72

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 8, 2016

Her rival Sanders has vowed to stay in the fight until then although pundits say its impossible for him to catch her.

Under Democratic Party rules Clinton has a clear lead in delegates awarded by popular vote but superdelegates can always change their minds. But she outnumbers Sanders there by more then 10 to 1.

The former first lady’s victory claims follow the last Super Tuesday in the primary campaign. As the results came in from the six nomination contests, Clinton had won New Mexico, New Jersey, South Dakota.