With Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" playing, a victorious Barack Obama took the stage at his headquarters in Chicago early Wednesday morning, shortly after being re-elected to the White House for four more years.
"And whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you, I have learned from you, and you've made me a better president. And with your stories and your struggles, I return to the White House more determined and more inspired than ever about the work there is to do, and the future that lies ahead."
Obama says he and challenger Mitt Romney battled fiercely...because they love the country deeply.
"From George, to Lenore, to their son Mitt, the Romney family has chosen to give back to America through public service, and that is a legacy that we honour and applaud tonight."
Obama added he looks forward to sitting down with Romney in the weeks ahead to talk about where they can work together to move the United States forward.
Obama took the key battleground state of Ohio, which put him over the threshold of 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency.
Among the other states he won, are Iowa, Virginia, Colorado, and New Hampshire.
Mitt Romney gave a short but gracious speech after his defeat.
In addition to thanking running mate, Paul Ryan, and his family, Romney thanked his team across the country.
"Thanks for all the hours of work, for the calls, for the speeches and appearances, for the resources and for the prayers, you gave deeply from yourselves and performed magnificently, and you inspired us and you humbled us. You've been the very best we could have imagined."
He said the nation is at a critical point -- and said leaders have to "reach across the aisle to do the peoples' work".
Meanwhile, Democrats keep control of the Senate, and Republicans control in the House of Representatives.
Congress is therefore, still divided, which could mean continuing problems for Obama in trying to enact certain legislation.
With Florida not yet declared, Obama has 303 electoral college votes.
Romney has 206.
A University of Victoria professor says Obama's re-election could have implications for BC.
Dr. Janni Aragon is an expert on American politics.
"I do think with a strong American economy, it'll be benefit B.C. Can Obama do that in two years, in four years? We'll just have to wait and see."
Aragon adds Obama's election could signal leftward momentum throughout North America which could impact May's provincial election.
A Democrat party club met at Ceili's Pub on Granville to watch the US election, and were happy with the result.
When word came through that Obama had won the election, members of the Vancouver chapter of Democrats Abroad could hardly contain themselves.
"It was crazy in here...people applauding and crying wildly...I was expecting dancing in the streets when I came out into Granville Street here...there was cheering and people waving flags and jumping up and down. It was great."
While members of the club all seemed optimistic this would be the result, some say they were surprised the result came through so early in the night.
Prime Minster Stephen Harper has offered his congratulations to Obama.
He says Canada and the United States enjoy one of the closest and most extensive relationships in the world.
Harper points out that over the last four years, he and Obama worked on several important bilateral initiatives to generate jobs and growth in both countries.
That includes the Beyond the Border Action Plan, which will speed up trade and travel across our borders while also enhancing security.
Harper says he looks forward to working with the Obama administration and other partners to conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, which seeks to boost trade in the Asia-Pacific region.
Voters in Maine and Maryland have voted in favour of approving same-sex marriage.
Those in Washington State and Colorado have voted in favour of legalzing the recreational use of marijuana.
