Barack Obama won the U.S. presidential election Tuesday night in a huge landslide victory to become the nation's 44th president and the first African-American commander in chief. Supporters all across the nation began a spontaneous celebration as news of the victory broke at 11:00 ET.
Obama will take the oath of office with his running mate Senator Joe Biden on January 20, 2009, ending eight years of Republican rule.
The 47-year-old Democratic senator from Illinois sealed his victory by defeating Republican Sen. John McCain in a string of wins in hard fought battleground states - Ohio, Florida, Virginia and Iowa.
Within minutes of the announcement McCain telephoned Obama to offer his congratulations. In a concession speech McCain expressed his admiration for Obama. He said the symbolism of the victory is proof that America has come a long distance from the cruelty and bigotry that was a part of its history.
He offered his help to Obama to achieve his goals and called on all those who supported him to work together to make the Obama presidency a success.
"Whatever our differences, we are all Americans", he said. He accepted responsibility for his failure to win and expressed gratitude to everyone who supported him, especially his wife, Cindy, and his mother.
"This campaign was and will remain the great honour of my life," he said. "I wish God speed to the man who was my opponent...nothing is inevitable here...we never hide from history, we make history," he said.
An estimated one million Americans - black, white, Hispanics and every other group in the U.S. melting pot - had gathered in Chicago for an outdoor rally to celebrate the victory, among them one of Obama's strongest supporters, Oprah Winfrey and a host of celebrities.
Obama appeared at midnight with his wife, Michelle, and two young daughters and proclaimed, "Change has come to America".
"If there is anyone out there who doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer," he said.
He congratulated McCain and his running mate, Sarah Palin, for a long and hard-fought campaign and reached out to their supporters saying he will be "their president too."
Obama said his opponent, a veteran who faced years of torture as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam, "has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine...we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader."
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