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November 3 marked the end of what was anything but a normal election cycle—but it wasn't over just yet. With the record number of mail-in votes, a result of the coronavirus pandemic, many states needed more time to count every vote. This left Americans going to bed each night without knowing who would be their next president.
A man dressed as Abraham Lincoln holds a sign as people celebrate in the streets in New York's Times Square on November 7.A man dressed as Abraham Lincoln holds a sign as people celebrate in the streets in New York's Times Square on November 7.TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP/Getty
Crowds began to gather and march on election night, voicing support for their candidate. As President Donald Trump tweeted throughout the week to "stop the count"—referring to ballots being counted after Election Day—his supporters on the streets and at polling places echoed that call. On the other side, Joe Biden's supporters reiterated the importance of counting every vote.
On Saturday, the wait was over, as all of the major news outlets announced that while the votes were not 100 percent counted, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris would be the next president and vice president. Almost instantly, cities and towns around the country erupted in celebration over the news.
Philadelphians celebrate in the streets on November 7. Mail-in ballots from the city had a major role in Joe Biden's victory in Pennsylvania, which brought him enough electoral votes to win the presidency.Philadelphians celebrate in the streets on November 7. Mail-in ballots from the city had a major role in Joe Biden's victory in Pennsylvania, which brought him enough electoral votes to win the presidency.Getty/Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis
People around the world closely watched the historic election, and in some overseas cities residents demonstrated their enthusiasm for the change in U.S. leadership. In Harris' ancestral village, Thulasendrapuram in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, people expressed their support for the first woman to be elected vice president, as well as the first Black American and first South Asian American to hold the position.
In New York, a heavily Democratic city, cars began honking, pedestrians cheered, and large groups of people took to the streets in celebration. In front of the Trump International Hotel and Tower at Columbus Circle, hundreds gathered, with similar scenes occurring throughout the city.
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen celebrate Joe Biden's victory with a drive-by in West Hollywood, California, on November 7. John Legend and Chrissy Teigen celebrate Joe Biden's victory with a drive-by in West Hollywood, California, on November 7. Amanda Edwards/Getty
Across the country in West Hollywood, California, cars made their way through the city, with heads poking out of sunroofs to join in cheers with pedestrians on the sidewalk. Chrissy Teigen and John Legend participated in the celebrations with a drive-by.
A Native American dances in the street along with other individuals in Albuquerque NM pic.twitter.com/LeN7m9Ig89
Biden was able to win states that have historically voted red, such as Arizona, where he gained significant support from Native Americans. In Georgia, which is projected to flip blue for the first time in decades, people gathered in Atlanta to celebrate the historic moment.
Crowds gathered outside of the White House, notably in Black Lives Matter Plaza, which was recently renamed during the protests in Washington this past summer.
People dance at Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House on November 8 in celebration of Joe Biden's victory.People dance at Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House on November 8 in celebration of Joe Biden's victory.Getty/Samuel Corum
When the news broke of Trump's defeat, the president was seen golfing at his course in Virginia. Later that evening, the next president and vice president gave acceptance speeches in Delaware, Biden's home state. Meanwhile, it was not yet known if the president will admit defeat and officially concede.
People spray champagne as they celebrate Joe Biden's victory on November 7 in San Francisco.People spray champagne as they celebrate Joe Biden's victory on November 7 in San Francisco.JOSH EDELSON / AFP/Getty
People celebrate the election results in West Hollywood, California, on November 7.People celebrate the election results in West Hollywood, California, on November 7.DAVID MCNEW/AFP/Getty
Residents hold placards with a portrait of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in her ancestral village of Thulasendrapuram in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu on November 8. Residents set off firecrackers and hailed her...Residents hold placards with a portrait of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in her ancestral village of Thulasendrapuram in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu on November 8. Residents set off firecrackers and hailed her achievement as historic and a proud moment for the country.Getty/STR/AFP
Joe Biden supporters celebrate at the famous rainbow intersection in Atlanta on November 7.Joe Biden supporters celebrate at the famous rainbow intersection in Atlanta on November 7.Getty/Megan Varner
A man dances in a crowd as Chicagoans take to the streets in support of President-elect Joe Biden on November 7.A man dances in a crowd as Chicagoans take to the streets in support of President-elect Joe Biden on November 7.Natasha Moustache/Getty
People stand in the fountain as they celebrate in Washington Square Park in lower Manhattan on November 7.People stand in the fountain as they celebrate in Washington Square Park in lower Manhattan on November 7.Stephanie Keith/Getty
People take to the streets in Los Angeles on November 7.People take to the streets in Los Angeles on November 7.FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty
Demonstrators call for President Donald Trump to concede defeat to Joe Biden in Detroit on November 7.Demonstrators call for President Donald Trump to concede defeat to Joe Biden in Detroit on November 7.Getty/John Moore
In Washington, D.C., people chanted, cheered and sang in front of the White House on November 7.In Washington, D.C., people chanted, cheered and sang in front of the White House on November 7.Getty/ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP
Newly married Julian and Fatimah Miller join Joe Biden supporters in Chicago on November 7.Newly married Julian and Fatimah Miller join Joe Biden supporters in Chicago on November 7.Getty/Scott Olson
Joe Biden supporters dance in the rain as they celebrate outside of Vaughan's Lounge in New Orleans on November 7.Joe Biden supporters dance in the rain as they celebrate outside of Vaughan's Lounge in New Orleans on November 7.Emily Kask / AFP/Getty