He's inspired a musical in Kenya in Africa and whipped this Japanese town into a frenzy of dancing and merchandising. But that's nothing compared to the scenes he generated on his home soil! Talk show hosts supported him and Hollywood stars even made him a song. At rallies, he talks like a rock star, signs shirts like a rock star and even gets heckled like a rock star! But in the end, it wasn't huge rallies that won Barack Obama leadership of his country, it was scenes like this!
NATHAN BAZLEY, REPORTER: In America voting isn't compulsory, but more than 130 million people still waited in line to have their say and in the end their decision was clear.
But what's the story with this 'Obama' guy anyway? Well let's take a look at who he is and how he got to be here.
His story starts in the American island state of Hawaii, where he was born. His dad was a black man from Kenya and his mum a white woman from Kansas. He then moved to Indonesia, where he stayed until he was ten years old. And this is his old school!
SCHOOL KID: Many of the students say 'I want to be like him, 'cause he's so great and he's going to be President of the United States.'
He eventually moved back to America and studied his way through Law School and he killed it there! He spent his early working life with under-privileged people and other community groups in his old neighbourhood before he finally made his way into politics. A big part of his life is his family. His wife Michelle and their two daughters Malia,10 and Natasha, 8.
NATHAN BAZLEY, REPORTER: So what is it that makes Barack Obama different from all the other Presidents that went before him?
Well in a country that still has issues with race, Barack is the first African American to ever get the top job. And THAT is a huge deal!
BARACK OBAMA: It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.
The other reason it's a big deal is because of the promises Obama made during the campaign. He thought the government should take a bigger role helping people with healthcare, making taxes fairer and fixing the economy. So now all the glitz and glamour of the election is over, he can move straight into the Whitehouse and get to work right?
Well not so fast.
New presidents are inaugurated, or sworn in, on the 20th of January. So he'll have to wait a little while before he can start bringing the citizens of America all the changes he promised.
PRESENTER: And he'll be known as the 'President-Elect' until he's sworn in.
