Barack Obama's 2008 Election Night Pictures
17 Photos That'll Take You Back to the Night Obama Was First Elected President
"It's been a long time coming . . . but change has come to America," President-elect Barack Obama announced in his victory speech on Nov. 4, 2008. As America's first elected black president, Obama spoke to more than 200,000 supporters gathered in Grant Park, Chicago, and millions of people witnessing history on TV. He captured the moment: "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."
Referencing Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic imagery of the mountaintop, then-47-year-old Obama said the road to real progress and equality would be steep. While voters had responded to the "change we can believe in" message, Obama was aware of the challenges that laid ahead, referring to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the economic crisis that engulfed the US at the time. Yet he had hope. Alluding to King again and the arc of the moral universe, Obama asked Americans to turn away from cynicism and instead "put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day."
This was also the moment that Michelle, Malia, and Sasha were introduced as America's next first family. Obama used the speech to make one very important family announcement: "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." Mic drop, Dad.
Now that eight years have passed, Americans are thinking back on Obama's varied legacy, which includes symbolic and practical change like Obamacare, as well as disappointment that more didn't happen on immigration reform and international stability. But you can still relive that pinnacle of hope in 2008 with these emotional moments.
When America Met Our New First Family
And Our New First Couple
When This Baby Witnessed History
When the Crowd Couldn't Hold Back Tears
When Barack and Joe Shared a Bromance Moment
When Oprah Lost It
When Supporters Got on Their Flip Phones to Celebrate the News
When the Obamas Put Their Love on Display
When Jesse Jackson Couldn't Contain His Emotions
When Obama Looked Like a Kid
When This Woman Took It All In
When the Obamas Took a Moment to Themselves
When the Crowd Was All Smiles
When Obama Held Sasha's Hand Tight
And Gave Malia a Big Hug
When Joe Biden Embraced His Mother
When the Obamas Left the Stage
