Barack Obama Becomes America's First Black President

America Has elected it's first black president. Although results are still coming through, Barack Obama has already gained the 270 electoral college points needed to win the presidency.

The writing was on the wall for John McCain after Mr Obama clinched the key states of California, Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

They were seen as swing states and essential for the Republican candidate to make an unlikely move to the White House.

Mr Obama also won what was seen as the risky state of Iowa.

Mr Obama and Mr McCain campaigned right up to Election Day, as a record number of American citizens from all 50 states cast their ballots.

Mr Obama also captured Michigan, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Delaware, Maine, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Washington DC and Illinois.

Mr Obama, 47, son of a Kenyan and white mother from Kansas, will be the first black US president.

It will mark a milestone in US history 45 years after the height of the civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King.

He will face a series of challenges over the next four years, including the economic crisis, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and an overhaul of the US health care system.

Meanwhile in US Senate elections, the Democrats have regained control - an important step towards their goal of a so-called "super majority" in the three branches of the US government.

Author: Jo Amey