Calling today’s election a nail-biter is way too weak of an expression. Watching the Clinton-Trump numbers roll in is the ultimate gut-wrenching suspense thriller. It’s a close call between triumph and doomsday. But hey, if we’ve been able to keep our heads above water in this oft murky and muddled election cycle, what’s another few hours of anxiety? The end is near, dear voters. Soon we will have our next president and the victory parties can officially begin.
It may help to remember that there was nothing sweeter than President Barack Obama’s first victory in 2008, when he and the new first family walked out to a massive crowd chanting “Yes we can” in the middle of Chicago. Then there was the memorable moment of Bill Clinton’s win in 1992 and preceding that, we had a beaming John F. Kennedy waving to a roaring crowd from a convertible and a humble Franklin D. Roosevelt hosting his presidential win with a barbecue. History has given the American people more than a few good victory parties, and in the spirit of optimism today, we remember those less anxiety-ridden outcomes. The ballots are being cast and now all we have to do is wait with bated breath for the first presidential balloon to fall. In the words of Obama favorite Stevie Wonder, it’ll all be, “signed, sealed, delivered,” and over very soon.
Here, a look back at some of the most joyful post-presidential election celebrations in the history of our always great nation.