Here’s a few more reports by DCist contributors from all over the city last night. Spontaneous celebrations erupted across Washington when Barack Obama was declared the winner of the 2008 presidential election.

• The scene in Chinatown wasn’t nearly as crazy as U St. (judging from the pictures, at least), but those who were out were as ecstatic and elated as I could imagine. Cars honked repeatedly as they drove down the street; people poured champagne on the sidewalk; young and old flashed their Obama gear as they high-fived each other. Walking back to my apartment, I heard a young woman yell “happy new year!” — and that’s exactly what it felt like. People took to the streets to celebrate something new and exciting, their cheers echoing throughout Penn Quarter as I laid in bed at 1 a.m. – Martin Locraft
• I was in a cab last night when the radio announced that Obama had carried Ohio. The cab driver, my girlfriend and I all broke out into happy cheers, barely keeping our lane – as if we were suddenly roused by a overwhelming realization that our days ahead would be exciting and full of purpose. As we exited, we thanked the driver, ready to accept that for the first time in our lives, America embodied everything we were taught she could. -Aaron Morrissey
• After enjoying Cincinnati Chili with blue cornbread (made with blue cornmeal from here) with some friends, my barren part of Crystal City (just north of Potomac Yards) erupted in audible celebration between 11:00 and 11:30. The most fun we had while watching the returns was holding out for chocolate chip pecan pie until Obama hit 200 votes, which led to the line of the night: “MSNBC says we can have pie!”

  The half hour between 10:30 and 11 was excruciating to watch. Everyone knew what the outcome would be, but the filler on all of the news channels was horrible. -Andrew Chriss

• I had taken a break from the Brightest Young Things party at Bohemian Caverns and was eating a half smoke at Ben’s Chili Bowl (with a McCain supporter, ironically) when CNN announced that they had projected Obama as the winner. The whole place erupted in cheers and one of the staff cranked up P-Funk’s “Chocolate City” on the jukebox (we may not have Ali in the White House, but we will have Obama). I then returned to U & 11th as the street celebrations were just kicking off, and stayed long enough to use up my last roll of film. The last time I can remember seeing anything like this was when the Redskins won their 1st Super Bowl in ’83, when the principal of my suburban high school actually canceled classes so that everyone could go downtown to see the parade celebrating the victory. -Chris Chen
• I got crowded out of three bars and eventually ended up in a bar in Dupont with a big TV and a raucous crowd. It was everything you wanted – eruptions of cheers when they called a state for Obama and dead silence when he started speaking. I honestly don’t think there was a dry eye in the room when he got done with that speech. Afterward, I walked out into the street in Dupont Circle and everyone was honking and yelling out of the windows of their cars. It felt more like a party celebrating a World Cup victory in a developing country than a presidential election in America. It felt REALLY good. I felt an overwhelming sense of connection to everyone who was out celebrating.

  We walked down to the White House and met a huge crowd of people cheering, singing, hugging and celebrating. I got the feeling that everyone there honestly felt he or she won something themselves. The only negativity I saw was people singing the old “Na-na-na-na, Na-na-na-na, hey-hey-hey, Goodbye!” to George Bush. -Steve Goldenberg

• I was at an election get together at a friend’s place last night after having spent the day canvassing in Virginia. Once the result was called, with tambourine in hand, I headed out to join the drum circle at 14th and U. Thoughts of the ’68 riots kept popping into my head. Forty years ago U Street burned in flames of anger, and last night it exploded with joy, enthusiasm, and hope. I eventually made my way home around 3 a.m.. – Sriram Gopal