Barack Obama closed his campaign with a massive outdoor public event — a street party through downtown Chicago centered around Grant Park on the waterfront. The campaign distributed 70,000 tickets to the official event, but many more came down for the party.Published on November 4, 2008
A woman in the trees records Obama’s acceptance speech
Obama fans watch his acceptance speech from a row of trees in the back of Grant Park.
Obama’s win sparked intense reactions in the crowd.
There was no shortage of Obama gear for sale around Chicago Tuesday night.
Reactions from elation to tears greeted the news of Obama’s win.
Chicagoans watch the CNN broadcast as polls close across the United States.
Along with the presidential election, many closely watched the congressional races.
The event started at 8 p.m., but the results of the election were not announced until west coast polls closed three hours later.
Charlie Santos sells water and soda outside of Grant Park before the the rally begins.
Voters trickled down Michigan Avenue after casting their ballot on election night in Chicago.
The crowd fills the streets outside Grant Park, cheering, Obama! Obama! Obama!
Thousands from the press descend on Grant Park looking for interview subjects and on-the-scene insight.
Secret Service and security surround the perimeter of Grant Park.
Derick Thurman, an 18-year-old from Chicago and first-time voter, holds up a poster that he bought for five dollars.
So… not an actual McCain supporter, we imagine.
Police on foot and horseback create barriers for the thousands of people coming into the park.
Chicago is expecting 1 million people for Obama’s election night event.
With only 70,000 people able to get tickets, many people will watch the event from the overflow area outside of Grant Park.
The crowd in the overflow section of Grant Park waits for the televised election results from Ohio.
Someone had fun in arts and crafts time.
A larger-than-life painting of Barack Obama hung at the Election Night rally in Chicago’s Grant Park.
The crowd reacts to news of Obama’s win in Ohio.
Chicagoans watch the CNN broadcast as polls close across the United States.
Towels, shirts and buttons were all for sale outside the event gates at Grant Park.
Jude Nwabia is originally from Nigeria and has been a U.S. resident for the last ten years.
Shirley Caffee shouts, Thank God, Obama won!
The crowd reacts to news of Obama’s win in Ohio.
