As thrilled as the world was to learn that America elected its first black President on Tuesday night, the reaction to the news by revelers at Grant Park was transcendent. Here’s what you didn’t see on TV: a quarter of a million people spontaneously counting down in unison while awaiting the West Coast polls to close–drawn from the YouTube feeds of my fellow Obama rally revelers.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute
9:59:50 p.m. CST. CNN warns of special announcement. A quarter million people spontaneously count down in unison, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Dum-dum-da-dum. CNN Breaking News, Chicago gives Barack Obama to America as its first black President. One tiny second of pause between announcement and realization. Then jubilation.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute
I admit it. I feel like Charlie about to have an audience with Willie Wonka. Today I got the email that thousands in this city were hoping for: my non-transferable ticket for me and a guest to attend Barack Obama’s Grant Park election night rally.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes