Barack Obama is the 44th American President and 1st African-American President

Today the United States of America celebrates not only the election of the new president, today the Americans made a great milestone in history by choosing Democratic Senator Barack Obama as the first African-American president.

Shortly after hearing the results, Barack Obama told a thrilled crowd who gathered in Chicago: "It's been a long time coming, but tonight... change has come to America." John McCain, the rival of the president-elect and the Republican representative, accepted his defeat and stated that he deeply admired and praised Mr Obama.

Experts consider that this election will have a significant impact on the United States. Besides the hope of change, American people showed that they can break the invisible racist barrier that some considered to be strong.

Together with his family and vice-president candidate Joe Biden, Barack Obama spoke in front of tens of thousands of people who came to Grand Park, Chicago. While the newly elected president spoke to the public, a lot of people, who waited till the last minute until the results were announced at night, burst in tears.

Barack Obama said: "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."

In addition, Mr Obama praised his rival for presidency, Mr McCain, saying that he is a brave and altruistic leader. "He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine," he said.

The victor also praised his family, saying to his two daughters: "Sasha and Malia, I love you both more than you can imagine, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House."

In his speech Barack Obama stated that it was a victorious night but new challenges are still to come and those would be "the greatest of our lifetime." He added: "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."

It is worth mentioning that Barack Obama won in the main states, including Pennsylvania and Ohio. This happed prior to obtaining 349 electoral votes (winning post 270). At 0400 GMT it was shown that Mr Obama was victorious in California and several other states. After a while the projections had shown that Barack Obama won in Florida, Virginia and Colorado. It would be worth noting that the latter three states voted Republican in 2004. Later other states that previously voted Republican voted for Mr Obama; these included: Ohio, New Mexico, Iowa, Indiana and Nevada.

The results had also shown that the victor won in: 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.

His rival was victorious in Montana, Alaska, Kentucky, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, Kansas, North Dakota, Wyoming, Georgia, Louisiana, West Virginia, Texas, Mississippi, Utah, Arizona, Idaho, South Dakota.

The Democrats were successful in the Senate race, being able to get seats in Virginia, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Colorado, previously held by the Republicans. In addition, the Republicans raised their majority of the House of Representatives.

According to the Associated Press report, over 130 million Americans voted, popularity last time registered in 1960. A lot of people felt they participated in a historic election.

Mr Obama obtained about 62.8 million votes compared to 55.6 million people who voted for John McCain, according to totals obtained early Wednesday.

Among other results Mr Obama was victorious among:

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• women voters, with 56% to 43%;
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• voters under 30, with 66% to 32%;
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• African-American voters, with 95% to 4%;
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• Latino voters, with 66% to 32%;
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• first-time voters, with 68% to 31%;
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• voters earning less than $100,000 a year, with 55% to 43%.

Tuesday, November 4, was the day that that marked the finish of the presidential campaign season that lasted for 21 months. Barack Obama, 47, will start his move to the White House. Mr Obama will be sworn in as the 44th United States president on January 20.