Obama Wins the US Presidency ( 2008 )

November 5th, 2008

Democratic Senator Barack Obama has been elected the first black president of the United States, prompting celebrations across the country.

“It’s been a long time coming, but tonight… change has come to America,” the president-elect told a jubilant crowd at a victory rally in Chicago.

His rival John McCain accepted defeat, and called on his supporters to lend the next president their goodwill.

The BBC’s Justin Webb says the result will have a profound impact on the US.

He says the American people 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.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/us_elections_2008/7709978.stm