Brett Garamella

Photo Stories: November 4, 2008

On November 4, 2008, America elected its first black president while turning out to the polls in record numbers. More than 131 million eligible voters cast a ballot on Election Day, making it the highest turnout rate (more than 60%) since 1968. Blacks and the Internet helped Democrat-Elect Barack Obama beat Republican-Elect John McCain. More than 95% of black voters cast a ballot for Obama. Obama's campaign team used the Internet and Facebook during the primaries and general election to set fund-raising records, mostly from small individual donors. This strategy was so effective that Obama became the first major-party presidential candidate to turn down public financing in the general election since the system was created in 1976.

Obama also became the first Illinois politician since Abraham Lincoln to be elected to the nation's highest office. On an unseasonably warm day in Chicago, thousands of people made phone calls on behalf of Obama. By early afternoon, vendors sold Obama T-shirts and buttons on the downtown street corners. Thousands lined up to enter Grant Park, which was closed down until the evening when Obama would speak to about 250,000 supporters. This rally cost $2 million, which was paid for by the Obama campaign. Only 70,000 tickets were given out to see Obama speak in-person. Non-ticketholders watched his speech on a nearby JumboTron in Grant Park. People waved signs and American flags as Obama was announced the winner at 10 p.m. In his speech, Obama acknowledged his once unlikely rise to president and the current situation of the United States.

"It's been a long time coming, but tonight because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America," said Obama. "Even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime: two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century…. The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in 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."

After his speech, Obama supporters celebrated in the middle of Michigan Avenue. Vendors kept selling T-shirts, posters, and buttons along the sidewalks. The trains and buses ran all night to make sure people got home safely.

Patricia Palden (in black) and a mother and daughter sit in silence as Patricia's husband, Lama Lobsang Palden, conducts a puja, or prayer, for Barack Obama at the Blue Beryl Dharma Center in the Rogers Park neighborhood. "I've really been waiting for this my whole life," said Patricia, who believes Obama is the best candidate for world peace and a cleaner environment. Five years ago Lama Lobsang moved to Chicago from Tibet. He has been a lama his entire life.
   
A young resident reads a newspaper and drinks coffee outside a polling station in Rogers Park, where his girlfriend works. Many people voted before going to work. More than 779,000 people from Chicago voted before Election Day.
   
Barack Obama supporters make phone calls at Loyola University reminding people to vote and informing them of their nearest polling station.
     
  
A vendor from Philadelphia sells Barack Obama buttons and T-shirts on the corner of State Street and Jackson Boulevard. He had traveled around America for two months as a campaign worker. "Today is like the championship," he said.
  
A Barack Obama speech ticketholder waits early in line for the Grant Park rally. Only 70,000 tickets were given out to see Obama speak in-person. Non-ticketholders watched Obama speak on a nearby JumboTron.
   
A Volvo's speakers blare an inspirational speech from Martin Luther King, Jr. on Michigan Avenue near Grant Park. The driver and passenger give the peace sign as they sit in traffic before the evening rally for Barack Obama.
     
  
On a street corner in the South Loop a man holds a drawing of Barack Obama and Martin Luther King, Jr.
   
A view through a glass window shows enlarged covers of EBONY magazine at 820 South Michigan Ave. The Johnson Publishing Company is the world's largest black publishing company, which include EBONY and JET magazines.
   
Barack Obama supporters take photos in front of signs like this while waiting to enter the Grant Park rally. About 250,000 people attended the rally.
     
  
An artist poses for photos with his Barack Obama mural as he puts his arms around two supporters.
   
Barack Obama supporters demonstrate their freedom of speech on the bridge crossing to Grant Park.
   
A view of the Chicago skyline is seen from Grant Park as the rally for Barack Obama begins. About 250,000 people attended the rally, which cost $2 million and was paid for by the Barack Obama campaign.
     
  
People watch the CNN election updates on a JumboTron during a rally in Grant Park. About 250,000 people attended the rally, which cost $2 million and was paid for by the Barack Obama campaign.
   
People watch the CNN election updates on a JumboTron during a rally in Grant Park. About 250,000 people attended the rally, which cost $2 million and was paid for by the Barack Obama campaign.
   
People watch the CNN election updates on a JumboTron during a rally in Grant Park. About 250,000 people attended the rally, which cost $2 million and was paid for by the Barack Obama campaign.
     
  
People watch the CNN election updates on a JumboTron during a rally in Grant Park. About 250,000 people attended the rally, which cost $2 million and was paid for by the Barack Obama campaign.
   
Barack Obama supporters at Grant Park cheer and clap just after it is announced that Barack Obama defeats John McCain in the presidential election.
   
Just after it is announced that Barack Obama defeated John McCain in the presidential election, people cheer and wave their American flags as photographers use their flashes.
     
  
Barack Obama's victory speech at Grant Park airs on a nearby JumboTron. Obama became the first black American president, and the first Illinois politician since Abraham Lincoln to be sent to the nation's highest office. "It's been a long time coming, but tonight because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America," said Obama.
   
A photojournalist sorts through his photos in Grant Park, where moments earlier about 250,000 supporters watched Barack Obama deliver his victory speech.
   
A vendor helps a Barack Obama supporter wrap a poster with an American flag on Michigan Avenue just after the Grant Park rally ended. About 250,000 people attended the rally.
     
  
Congress Parkway is flooded with thousands of Barack Obama supporters after the Grant Park rally. About 250,000 people attended the rally. The trains and buses ran all night to make sure people got home safely.
   
A Mexican father holds a "Hope" poster as his wife and daughter stand underneath a traffic light on Michigan Avenue. A man next to them holds an American flag as Barack Obama supporters leave the Grant Park rally and mingle in the street.
   
Barack Obama supporters celebrate in the middle of Michigan Avenue as a local television cameraman documents this moment.
     
  
People celebrate Barack Obama's presidential victory on Michigan Avenue.