Democrats formally nominated their presidential candidate last night during a historic roll call of state delegates.

Appearing with the Democrats Abroad delegation, Bernie Sanders’ older brother spoke through tears as he cast his vote.

"I want to bring before this convention the names of our parents: Eli Sanders and Dorothy Glassberg Sanders," Larry Sanders told party members.

"They did not have easy lives, and they died young. They would be immensely proud of their son and his accomplishments. They loved him.

"They loved the New Deal of Franklin Roosevelt and would be especially proud that Bernard is renewing that vision. It is with enormous pride that I cast my vote for Bernie Sanders."

The Vermont senator, who fought back tears during the address, received the Democrats Abroad's five delegate votes.

In a show of party unity, however, he called on the convention to nominate Hillary Clinton by acclamation.

Eli Sanders, a Jewish immigrant from Poland, and Dorothy Glassberg Sanders raised their sons in a lower middle-class household in New York. They both died when the boys were young.

Bernie Sanders has often referred to his upbringing as having a formative impact on his political views.

“The lack of money caused stress in my family and fights between my mother and father,” a biography on his website reads. 

“That is a reality I have never forgotten: today, there are many millions of families who are living under the circumstances that we lived under.”