Michelle Obama gave a rousing speech to the Democrats National Convention in Philadelphia, refusing to mention Donald Trump once, although making plenty of veiled references to him.

"Don't let anyone ever tell you that this country isn't great. That somehow we need to make it great again. Because this right now is the greatest country on Earth."

Mrs Obama gave a ringing endorsement to Hillary Clinton saying the Democratic presidential nominee represents what she wants for her children.

"When I think about the kind of president I want for my girls and all our children. That's what I want. I want someone with the proven strength to persevere. Someone who knows this job and takes it seriously. Someone who understands that the issues a president faces are not black and white and cannot be boiled down to 140 characters.

"Because of Hillary Clinton, my daughters and all our sons of daughters now take for granted that a woman can be president of the United States."

To that end the First Lady said they've tried to steer their two daughters through what she said was an unusual life in the spotlight.

"We insist that the hateful language they hear from public figures on TV does not represent the true spirit of this country. That when someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you don't stoop to their level. Our motto is, when they go low we go high."

The First Lady spoke of the generations of people who'd felt the lash of bondage, the shame of servitude and the sting of segregation to get her to where she is today.

"I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves and I watch my daughters, two beautiful intelligence black young woman, playing with their dogs on the White House lawn."

President Obama tweeted about how proud he was of Michelle post speech.

Incredible speech by an incredible woman. Couldn't be more proud & our country has been blessed to have her as FLOTUS. I love you, Michelle.

— President Obama (@POTUS) July 26, 2016

Mrs Obama's 10 minute speech has prompted calls on social media for her to run for president.

One Twitter user says "wake me up when Michelle runs for office."

Another says "If Michelle Obama decided to run for President right now, she would win."