A new dawn: Barack Obama is president

ONE HUNDRED and forty-three years after the abolition of slavery, America today acclaimed its first black president.

VICTORY President elect Barack Obama VICTORY: President-elect Barack Obama

Democrat Barack Obama won a landslide victory to take the White House and the mantle of the 44th President of the United States.

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A record 140 million Americans - 70 per cent of the country - were estimated to have voted in one of America's most electrifying elections.

In an emotional victory rally in Chicago, held at 5am British time, he told more than 100,000 supporters his victory proved the American dream was still alive.

Barack Obama held a huge victory rally Barack Obama held a huge victory rally

"Change has come to America," he said. "This victory belongs to you. It was built by working men and women who dug into their savings to give $5, $10, $20 to the cause.

"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.

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"There will be setbacks and false starts. The government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face, and I will listen to you - especially when we disagree."

Speaking directly to other nations, he added: "A new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those that would tear the world down, we will defeat you. To those who want peace, we support you."

The Rev Jesse Jackson, who previously tried to become the first African American president in 1984, wept in the crowd as Mr Obama concluded: "This is our moment. This is our time. To those who tell us we won't, or we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed: 'Yes, we can'."  

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LIVE PICTURES: THE US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

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BLOG: CAN PRESIDENT OBAMA REALLY SAVE AMERICA? [>

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DEBATE: ARE YOU PLEASED BARACK OBAMA WON?

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VOTE: WHO WOULD YOU HAVE ELECTED? [>

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Earlier, John McCain officially conceded in a gracious speech - booed by some Republicans - in which he praised Mr Obama's ability to inspire hope - and called on his party to join him in backing their new president.

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And in an early sign that international relations may immediately improve under Mr Obama, Kenya, the land of his father, declared a national holiday in celebration.

Mr Obama dealt the death blow to Mr McCain just minutes earlier after winning the key battleground states of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia.

The Democrats also made solid gains in both the Senate and Congress and now control all aspects of power in Washington. [>

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In Britain, Gordon Brown congratulated Barack Obama on his election and said they would work together to get Britain and the US out of the economic downturn. [>

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“I have just sent my warmest congratulations to Senator Obama on his election as president of the United States of America and I have also sent my best wishes to Michelle and his family,” the Prime Minister said.

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“This is a moment that will live in history as long as history books are written." [>

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The Prime Minister added: "I have talked to Senator Obama on many occasions and I know that he is a true friend of Britain. [>

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"I know that the values we share in common and the policies we work on together will enable us, these two countries, to come through these difficult economic times and build a safer and more secure society for the future.”

Conservative leader David Cameron claimed Mr Obama was the first of a new generation of world leaders. [>

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“In electing Barack Obama, America has made history and proved to the world that it is a nation eager for change,” he said.

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“This is an important moment not just for America but for the world. [>

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“Barack Obama’s victory will give people a new opportunity to look at the United States and see her for what I believe she is - a beacon of opportunity, freedom and democracy.” [>

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In America President George Bush phoned Mr Obama to congratulate him on winning the presidency.

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He told him: “What an awesome night for you, your family and your supporters.”

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He added: “You are about to go on one of the great journeys of life. Congratulations and go enjoy yourself.”

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VIDEO: MARTIN LURTHER KING'S FAMILY REACT TO THE RESULT

VIDEO: DAVID CAMERON TAUNTS GORDON BROWN OVER OBAMA'S WIN

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VIDEO: GORDON BROWN CONGRATULATES BARACK OBAMA

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Pennsylvania was the first key battleground to fall for the Democrat, delivering a crushing blow to underdog Mr McCain’s desperate hopes for an upset.

It came after a host of north-eastern states, including Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey and the District of Columbia, were called for Mr Obama.

Another to go to Mr Obama was New Hampshire, one of the traditionally Democratic states that McCain had hoped to capture if he was to mount a serious challenge to his rival.

Mr Obama also looked to have secured Wisconsin, New York, Rhode Island, Michigan and Minnesota. Later projections showed he had also won in Ohio, a crucial swing state McCain desperately needed after losing Pennsylvania.

Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Arkansas and Alabama were awarded to McCain, but they were scant consolation as the electoral map of the US gradually turned blue.

The record turnout appeared to have been overwhelmingly moved to vote by the worst economic crisis to hit America in nearly 80 years.

The financial meltdown was by far the top issue on voters’ minds and proved to be a massive drain in support for Mr McCain, who was successfully tied by his Democrat rival to the unpopular President George Bush.

As the results poured in, there was a mood of despondency among Republicans. They had hoped to land a series of surprise victories to stem the tidal wave of support for Mr Obama, but as the night wore on it looked increasingly unlikely.

Even Mr McCain himself was in reflective mood on board his plane heading to his Phoenix, Arizona, headquarters that seemed to suggest his presidential dream was over.

“We’ve had a great ride,” he said. “We’ve had a great experience and it’s full of memories that we will always treasure.”

The stage was set for Mr Obama to address an estimated one million joyful supporters in Chicago.

Earlier in the day, both candidates held last-minute campaign stops to try to woo any undecided voters after a campaign that is estimated to have cost £1.5billion and lasted almost two years.

Mr Obama voted in Chicago and appeared to wipe tears from his cheeks  following the death of his grandmother.

The 47-year-old Illinois senator was accompanied by his wife Michelle and their two daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, seven.

In his final rally in Virginia, which has not voted for a Democratic presidential nominee in 44 years, he told almost 100,000 people: “I’m feeling kind of fired up. I’m feeling like I’m ready to go.

“At this defining moment in history, Virginia, you can give this country the change it needs.”

His 72-year-old Republican rival joined his wife Cindy to vote in his home state of Arizona.

Mr Obama led by almost eight points in the latest average of national polls but Mr McCain remained hopeful of a surprise victory.

He said: “I think these battleground states have now closed up, almost all of them, and I believe there’s a good scenario where we can win.

“I know I’m still the underdog. I understand that. You can’t imagine the excitement of an individual to be this close to the most important position in the world, and I’ll enjoy it. I’ll never forget it as long as I live.”

Americans were forced to decide between Mr Obama, an inexperienced senator with a powerful message of change and hope, and former Vietnam prisoner of war Mr McCain, who has 26 years of experience in the US Congress.

It is “one of the most important elections in the history of the country and the history of the world”, said Professor Allan Lichtman of the American University in Washington.

The next president would have to face “perhaps the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression”, two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and “one of the gravest challenges in the history of mankind – catastrophic climate change”.

Professor Lichtman added that Mr Obama was “the most significant breakthrough candidate in all American history”.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the campaign had been “historic” but stuck with convention by refusing to say which candidate he had wanted to win.

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