The announcement that Democrat Joe Biden has won the presidential election sparked spontaneous street celebrations around the country on Saturday.
Within seconds of the race being called, a crowd at Black Lives Matter plaza outside the White House erupted in cheers.
Chants of “USA” and “This is what democracy looks like” broke out as one woman popped a bottle of champagne and sprayed it over the crowd.
Revelers also filled some streets in New York City. And in one video posted on Twitter, cars honked their horns as pedestrians lining the sidewalks cheered.
Celebrations also erupted in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Chicago where one video showed a person outside cheering and banging a pot while a child with a tambourine broke out into a dance.
In Miami, diners could be seen clapping and cheering as Biden’s win was announced.
In a statement, Biden said: “I am honored and humbled by the trust the American people have placed in me and in Vice-President-elect Harris … With the campaign over, it’s time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation.”
The victory ended one of the most tumultuous and longest campaigns in modern history. Biden will be sworn in as the 46th U.S. president on Jan. 20 with Sen. Kamala Harris as his vice president. She will be the first female, first Black and first South Asian American to hold that position.
While many across the country rejoiced, some small crowds of pro-Trump groups lamented the announcement of Biden’s victory. In Lansing, Michigan, a crowd that gathered outside the state Capitol chanted “USA! USA!” and “We won’t stop.”
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
