Mrs Clinton is on track to be the Democratic party nominee

Hillary Clinton has thanked her supporters for helping her reach a historic moment for women - the Democratic nomination for president.

"Thanks to you, we've reached a milestone," she said to cheering supporters at a rally in New York.

She hailed "the first time in our nation's history that a woman will be a major party's nominee".

Earlier Mrs Clinton won the Democratic primary in New Jersey, cementing her hold on her party's nomination.

The AP news agency reported on Monday that Mrs Clinton had enough delegates to qualify as the Democratic nominee.

Six states have been voting in primaries on Tuesday but the race in California will count the most.

Her rival, Bernie Sanders, is hoping for a win in the state, where polls show the race is close.

He aims to sway super delegates to support him instead of Mrs Clinton at the party's convention in July, but commentators say the Vermont Senator is unlikely to succeed in his bid for the nomination.

"To every little girl who dreams big: Yes, you can be anything you want—even president. Tonight is for you," Mrs Clinton tweeted following her win in New Jersey.

Mr Sanders is projected to win the North Dakota caucuses.

Meanwhile Republican presumptive nominee Donald Trump won in his party's vote in New Jersey.

The billionaire turned his attention to the election in November in his remarks at Trump National Golf Club in Briarcliff Manor, New York.

"We're only getting started and it's gonna be beautiful," he said.