People were cheering and pumping their fists along the Wilmington, Delaware, waterfront over the news that the presidential race had been called for Joe Biden.
The waterfront is near the stage that Biden, the Democratic nominee, erected on Election Day to celebrate victory. The Associated Press reported that two men on a kayak yelled to a couple paddling by in the opposite direction, “Joe won! They called it!” as people on the shore cheered back. The celebrations also spread on social media.
Many notable names reacted to the news as the final results poured in, spelling a certain victory for the former vice president and his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reacted to the news saying, "Congratulations to Joe Biden on his victory for the soul of our country. Congratulations to Kamala Harris for making history."
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrote on Twitter, "It's a history-making ticket, a repudiation of Trump, and a new page for America."
Former President Barack Obama tweeted a statement saying of Biden that "I know he'll do the job with the best interests of every American at heart."
Harris' husband Doug Emhoff tweeted Saturday, "So proud of you."
Jeb Bush wrote to Biden, "Now is the time to heal deep wounds. Many are counting on you to lead the way."
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar tweeted, "The American people have spoken."
Former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang wrote, "Joe wins! let's go!!"
Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who also previously ran for the Democratic nomination, competing with Biden, tweeted a message of congratulations to the newly elected president.
Newly reelected New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote a note of congratulations to Biden and Harris.
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren tweeted out congratulations saying, "Biden understands the heavy burden being placed on his shoulders."
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker wrote, "Americans made their voices heard."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York wrote, "The long dark night in America is over."
Republican Utah Sen. Mitt Romney tweeted congratulations Saturday from he and his wife Ann, saying of Biden and Harris, "We know both of them as people of good will and admirable character."
Reality show star Kim Kardashian West tweeted a photo of Biden and Harris with three blue heart emojis.
Julian Castro, the youngest member of Obama's cabinet, simply tweeted Saturday, "Adios Trump."
Maya Harris, Kamala Harris' sister and one of Clinton's 2016 senior policy advisors, tweeted, "Mommy taught us we could be and do anything. She would be beyond proud today."
Former Texas. Rep. Beto O'Rourke wrote a message of congratulations to Biden and Harris, but also to the volunteers who helped end "our national nightmare."
Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda tweeted "YES," with a gif that said, "We won! We won! We won!"
The late Arizona Sen. John McCain's daughter Meghan McCain tweeted her congratulations to the new president-elect.
Actor Adam Scott, known for his role as Ben Wyatt on "Parks and Recreation," tweeted several celebratory emojis and a gif of Wyatt shaking hands with Biden.
Biden's granddaughter, one of his son Hunter Biden’s daughters, Naomi, tweeted a family photo Saturday.