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Obama wins historic US election Obama wins historic US election
(10 minutes later)
Democratic Senator Barack Obama has been elected the first black president of the United States.Democratic Senator Barack Obama has been elected the first black president of the United States.
As Mr Obama broke through the winning threshold there were scenes of delight at a park in Chicago, where tens of thousands of supporters were gathered. "It's been a long time coming, but tonight... change has come to America," the president-elect told a jubilant crowd at a park in Chicago.
Mr Obama is expected to address the crowd soon.
His rival John McCain accepted defeat, saying "I deeply admire and commend" Mr Obama. He called on his supporters to lend the next president their goodwill.His rival John McCain accepted defeat, saying "I deeply admire and commend" Mr Obama. He called on his supporters to lend the next president their goodwill.
BBC North America editor Justin Webb says: "On every level America will be changed by this result - its impact will be so profound that the nation will never be the same." The BBC's Justin Webb said the result would have a profound impact on the US.
"On every level America will be changed by this result... [it] will never be the same," he said.
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McCain: 'We must work together'McCain: 'We must work together'
Mr Obama captured the key battleground states of Pennsylvania and Ohio, before passing the essential figure of 270 electoral college votes at 0400 GMT, when projections showed he had also taken California and a slew of other states.Mr Obama captured the key battleground states of Pennsylvania and Ohio, before passing the essential figure of 270 electoral college votes at 0400 GMT, when projections showed he had also taken California and a slew of other states.
LOSSES AND GAINS Key states Projected gains for Obama in former Republican states of Ohio, New Mexico, Iowa, Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Nevada Senate seats Virginia: Democrat Mark Warner replaces retiring Republican John WarnerNew Hampshire: Democrat Jeanne Shaheen unseats Republican John SununuNorth Carolina: Democrat Kay Hagan replaces Republican Elizabeth DoleNew Mexico: Democrat Tom Udall replaces retiring Republican Pete Domenici In pictures: Result reactionSend us your viewsGuide to US election nightLOSSES AND GAINS Key states Projected gains for Obama in former Republican states of Ohio, New Mexico, Iowa, Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Nevada Senate seats Virginia: Democrat Mark Warner replaces retiring Republican John WarnerNew Hampshire: Democrat Jeanne Shaheen unseats Republican John SununuNorth Carolina: Democrat Kay Hagan replaces Republican Elizabeth DoleNew Mexico: Democrat Tom Udall replaces retiring Republican Pete Domenici In pictures: Result reactionSend us your viewsGuide to US election night
Then came the news that he had also seized Florida, Virginia and Colorado - all of which voted Republican in 2004 - turning swathes of the map from red to blue.Then came the news that he had also seized Florida, Virginia and Colorado - all of which voted Republican in 2004 - turning swathes of the map from red to blue.
Several other key swing states are hanging in the balance.Several other key swing states are hanging in the balance.
In Indiana and North Carolina, with most of the vote counted, there was less than 0.5% between the two candidates.In Indiana and North Carolina, with most of the vote counted, there was less than 0.5% between the two candidates.
However, the popular vote remains close. At 0440 GMT it stood at 51.1% for the Democratic Senator from Illinois, against 47.7% for Arizona Senator McCain.However, the popular vote remains close. At 0440 GMT it stood at 51.1% for the Democratic Senator from Illinois, against 47.7% for Arizona Senator McCain.
The main developments include:
  • Mr Obama is projected to have seized Ohio, New Mexico, Iowa, Virginia, Florida, Colorado and Nevada - all Republican wins in 2004.
  • He is also projected to have won: Vermont, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Delaware, Massachusetts, District of Columbia, Maryland, Connecticut, Maine, New Jersey, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Rhode Island, California, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon.
  • Mr McCain is projected to have won: Kentucky, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Kansas, North Dakota, Wyoming, Georgia, Louisiana, West Virginia, Texas, Mississippi, Utah, Arizona, Idaho, South Dakota.
  • Turnout was reported to be extremely high - in some places "unprecedented".
  • The Democrats made early gains in the Senate race, seizing seats from the Republicans in Virginia, North Carolina, New Hampshire and New Mexico.
  • Exit polls suggest the economy was the major deciding factor for six out of 10 voters.
  • Nine out of 10 said the candidates' race was not important to their vote, the Associated Press reported. Almost as many said age did not matter.
The main developments include:
  • Mr Obama is projected to have seized Ohio, New Mexico, Iowa, Virginia, Florida, Colorado and Nevada - all Republican wins in 2004.
  • He is also projected to have won: Vermont, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Delaware, Massachusetts, District of Columbia, Maryland, Connecticut, Maine, New Jersey, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Rhode Island, California, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon.
  • Mr McCain is projected to have won: Kentucky, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Kansas, North Dakota, Wyoming, Georgia, Louisiana, West Virginia, Texas, Mississippi, Utah, Arizona, Idaho, South Dakota.
  • Turnout was reported to be extremely high - in some places "unprecedented".
  • The Democrats made early gains in the Senate race, seizing seats from the Republicans in Virginia, North Carolina, New Hampshire and New Mexico.
  • Exit polls suggest the economy was the major deciding factor for six out of 10 voters.
  • Nine out of 10 said the candidates' race was not important to their vote, the Associated Press reported. Almost as many said age did not matter.
Several states reported a high turnout. It was predicted 130 million Americans, or more, would vote - more than for any election since 1960.Several states reported a high turnout. It was predicted 130 million Americans, or more, would vote - more than for any election since 1960.
Many Americans said they felt they were voting in a historic election, not least because of the possibility of choosing the first African-American president.Many Americans said they felt they were voting in a historic election, not least because of the possibility of choosing the first African-American president.
Faton Fall, 40, a black voter queuing at a Baptist church in Chicago, said: "It means a lot to me. I'm overwhelmed. I can't say more."Faton Fall, 40, a black voter queuing at a Baptist church in Chicago, said: "It means a lot to me. I'm overwhelmed. I can't say more."
Congressional raceCongressional race
There are also elections to renew the entire US House of Representatives and a third of US Senate seats.There are also elections to renew the entire US House of Representatives and a third of US Senate seats.
Democrats are expected to expand majorities in both chambers.Democrats are expected to expand majorities in both chambers.
They need to gain nine Senate seats to reach a 60-seat majority that would give them extra legislative power.They need to gain nine Senate seats to reach a 60-seat majority that would give them extra legislative power.
In the presidential vote, under the US Electoral College system, states are allocated votes based on their representation in Congress.In the presidential vote, under the US Electoral College system, states are allocated votes based on their representation in Congress.
In almost every state, the winner gets all these college votes.In almost every state, the winner gets all these college votes.
To become president, a candidate needs to win a majority across the country - 270 college votes out of a possible 538.To become president, a candidate needs to win a majority across the country - 270 college votes out of a possible 538.
The presidential election has been the most expensive in US history - costing $2.4bn, according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics.The presidential election has been the most expensive in US history - costing $2.4bn, according to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics.