You can't help but smile.

Voters throughout America waited in long lines and battled disruptive voting machines, but eventually flooded the booths and elected the first African-American president in U.S. history. Obama built a commanding lead early as the entire northeast corner of the electoral map turned blue.

At approximately 11:02 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 -- Senator Barack Obama received enough electoral votes to win the U.S. presidency. As polls closed on the West coast, it was projected that Obama would receive electoral votes from California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii -- propelling him past the magical 270.

Many voters, who were energized and inspired by the charismatic senator from Illinois, are beginning to sense a significant change in the way voters can influence an election. Black, Latino and young voters, once thought to be non-factors in past elections -- are undoubtedly responsible for the overwhelming turnout during the 2008 election.

Cheers began to rang out in Chicago, Atlanta, and could be heard as far away as Sydney, Australia, Bejing, China and Kogelo, Kenya -- the east African village home of Barack Obama's father.

As America's 44th president, Barack Obama will encounter several challenges. Healthcare, immigration, the economy, and foreign policy will dominate his 4-year term, but many see Obama as an ideal figure who is capable of addressing these issues while moving the country in a positive direction.

Americans, world leaders and supporters everywhere are anxious to see how Obama will respond to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has stated on several occasions that ending the war is a priority, and plans to reduce troop levels in Iraq and send those forces into the mountainous regions of Afghanistan to defeat Al Qaeda.

U.S. educators and teachers are eagerly awaiting his education reform measures, which should revamp No Child Left Behind; provide a tax credit to help with college tuition costs; and invest in a "Zero to Five" plan -- which is designed to provide critical support to young children and their parents.

Many are also hoping that having the first African-American president in history will help bridge several cultural and racial gaps, and repair relations with overseas allies and enemies -- many of whom had expressed interest in seeing Obama win.

With thousands of inspired onlookers gathered in Chicago, Obama gave a rousing address and thanked Vice President-Elect Joe Biden, his campaign manager, and his wife, Michelle -- citing their tremendous work and support over the past 21-months.

"It's been a long time coming," Obama said as the crowd of supporters roared.

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America -- I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you -- we as a people will get there," Obama said.

Working closely with a heavily Democratic Congress, Obama has pledged to work with the Republican Party to deliver a historic collaboration of bipartisan politics during his term.

The election may be over, but the journey is just beginning and the entire world is watching.

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