A great cheer arose when he entered the stage with his wife, Michelle Robinson Obama. Signs all over the arena were waved and t-shirts, and buttons, were in abundance. Obama thanked his backers and campaign workers for their diligence and effort in helping him to go over the top and be able to claim the Democratic party nomination. Obama praised Hillary Clinton for her fine performance in the race they shared. Obama then told the audience that he believed he was “a better person for having to work to win the nomination. “ He told the onlookers that with Senator Clinton’s help he could win the election for President. “Our goals,” he said, “are not that far apart and Senator Clinton would be a great help to beat the Republicans in the fall.” He talked about many of the changes he will want to make when he becomes President in November.
 
It was ironic that he chose to announce his win at the Xcel Energy Center, Sports Arena in St. Paul as this is going to be the site for the Republican Convention in September. The Center was filled with almost 20 thousand people while another 15 thousand stood outside as there was no more space inside. Officials had told the crowd that they were only going to be able let 20,000 people into the Center, so supporters started lining up early that morning.

After Obama spoke, he walked around the podium signing autographs for those fans who stood in the center of the stadium. Hawkers sold t-shirts and other memorabilia outside the entrance before he arrived. Some carried banners for him and some for Hillary Clinton. One messages was clear enough "Abortion Rights" was written on a van.

The speech was televised after John McCain and Hillary Clinton spoke on TV first. Obama waited to speak until the very last ballots were in from the remaining two states so that he could confirm his win.

To see the great photos of this event taken by Pat Krause, click here.