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World leaders hail Obama triumph World leaders hail Obama triumph
(30 minutes later)
World leaders have hailed the election of Senator Barack Obama as the first black president of the United States.World leaders have hailed the election of Senator Barack Obama as the first black president of the United States.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown called Tuesday's poll historic and said he and Mr Obama "share many values".UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown called Tuesday's poll historic and said he and Mr Obama "share many values".
Chinese President Hu Jintao said he looked forward to strengthening dialogue. France's Nicolas Sarkozy said the poll had raised "enormous hope".Chinese President Hu Jintao said he looked forward to strengthening dialogue. France's Nicolas Sarkozy said the poll had raised "enormous hope".
Outgoing US President George W Bush said Mr Obama could count on "complete co-operation" during the transition.Outgoing US President George W Bush said Mr Obama could count on "complete co-operation" during the transition.
The president-elect will take over the presidency in January.The president-elect will take over the presidency in January.
McCain: 'We must work together' Bush congratulates Obama
In Kenya - the birthplace of Mr Obama's father - President Mwai Kibaki declared a national holiday on Thursday.In Kenya - the birthplace of Mr Obama's father - President Mwai Kibaki declared a national holiday on Thursday.
Pope Benedict XVI asked for "God's blessings on the American people".Pope Benedict XVI asked for "God's blessings on the American people".
The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says Americans have made two fundamental statements about themselves - that they are profoundly unhappy with the status quo, and that they are slamming the door on the country's racial past.The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says Americans have made two fundamental statements about themselves - that they are profoundly unhappy with the status quo, and that they are slamming the door on the country's racial past.
'Gracious' loser'Gracious' loser
After the vote, Mr Obama appeared with his family, and his running mate Joe Biden, before a crowd of tens of thousands in Grant Park, Chicago. At the White House on Wednesday, Mr Bush told reporters: "History was made yesterday."
Many people in the vast crowd, which stretched back far into the Chicago night, wept as Mr Obama spoke. He congratulated the president-elect on an "impressive victory" and said it represented strides "toward a more perfect union."
OBAMA GAINS OhioNew MexicoIowaVirginia FloridaColoradoNevadaIndiana Election results in fullDemocrats tighten Senate gripIn pictures: Result reactionIn quotes: US election reactionOBAMA GAINS OhioNew MexicoIowaVirginia FloridaColoradoNevadaIndiana Election results in fullDemocrats tighten Senate gripIn pictures: Result reactionIn quotes: US election reaction
"If there is anyone out there who still 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. On election night, Mr Obama appeared with his family, and his running mate Joe Biden, in Grant Park, Chicago.
He said he had received an "extraordinarily gracious" call from Mr McCain. He told tens of thousands of jubilant supporters: "If there is anyone out there who still 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 praised the former Vietnam prisoner-of-war as a "brave and selfless leader". He said he had received an "extraordinarily gracious" call from Mr McCain and praised the former Vietnam prisoner-of-war as a "brave and selfless leader".
But he added: "Even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.But he added: "Even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.
"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. But America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.""The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. But America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there."
Hours after Mr Obama's victory was announced, crowds were still celebrating on the streets of Washington DC and Mr Obama's hometown of Chicago.
From red to blueFrom red to blue
Mr Obama captured the key battleground states of Pennsylvania and Ohio, before breaking through the winning threshold 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 breaking through the winning threshold of 270 electoral college votes at 0400 GMT, when projections showed he had also taken California and a string of other states.
Obama tells his supporters: "Change has come to America."In picturesObama tells his supporters: "Change has come to America."In pictures
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.
Projected results have yet to be announced for the states of North Carolina and Missouri, which are believed to be too close to call.Projected results have yet to be announced for the states of North Carolina and Missouri, which are believed to be too close to call.
But with most precincts tallied, Mr Obama's share of the popular stand at 52.3%, compared with Mr McCain's 46.4%.But with most precincts tallied, Mr Obama's share of the popular stand at 52.3%, compared with Mr McCain's 46.4%.
Turnout was reported to be extremely high - in some places "unprecedented".Turnout was reported to be extremely high - in some places "unprecedented".
Exit polls suggest the economy was the major deciding factor for six out of 10 voters.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.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.
HAVE YOUR SAYI find myself strangely emotional about this. I want to go wake up my neighbours and hug themAmy Scullane, Boston Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYI find myself strangely emotional about this. I want to go wake up my neighbours and hug themAmy Scullane, Boston Send us your comments
Several states reported very high turnout. It was predicted 130 million Americans, or more, would vote - more than for any election since 1960.Several states reported very high turnout. It was predicted 130 million Americans, or more, would vote - more than for any election since 1960.
Many people said they felt they had voted in a historic election - and for many African-Americans the moment was especially poignant.Many people said they felt they had voted in a historic election - and for many African-Americans the moment was especially poignant.
John Lewis, an activist in the civil rights era who was left beaten on an Alabama bridge 40 years ago, told Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church: "This is a great night. It is an unbelievable night. It is a night of thanksgiving."John Lewis, an activist in the civil rights era who was left beaten on an Alabama bridge 40 years ago, told Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church: "This is a great night. It is an unbelievable night. It is a night of thanksgiving."
Besides winning the presidency, the Democrats tightened their grip on Congress - with the entire US House of Representatives and a third of US Senate seats up for grabs.Besides winning the presidency, the Democrats tightened their grip on Congress - with the entire US House of Representatives and a third of US Senate seats up for grabs.
The Democrats increased their Senate majority by five seats, but fell short of the 60 needed to stop blocking tactics by Republicans.The Democrats increased their Senate majority by five seats, but fell short of the 60 needed to stop blocking tactics by Republicans.
They also increased their majority in the House of Representatives.They also increased their majority in the House of Representatives.
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Send your video reactions to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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