Shortly after news leaked that President Barack Obama was to announce the death of Osama bin Laden, several District residents — many of them students from nearby George Washington University, taking a break from studying for their finals — made their way to the White House to celebrate the news. The impromptu celebration turned into a massive gathering, drawing hundreds of others in a boisterous, sign-waving, lamppost-climbing, anthem-filled display of happiness. DCist staff photographer Jeff Martin was on the scene to capture the emotion on display.

Of course, the White House was far from the only place locals gathered to cheer the news — University of Maryland students forced the blockage of Route 1, while a far more subdued remembrance took place at the 9/11 Memorial near the Pentagon.