KEY POINTS:
So many people around the world have been telling Americans how to vote in this presidential race, it must have been a relief for voters to finally get a chance to show that it was their decision to make on Super Tuesday.
People flocked to the polls with pride and excitement on what was a historic day, one when more US states were voting for their preferred Democrat and Republican nominations than ever before.
In New York City, polling stations opened early on a cold, foggy winter morning and immediately began competing for visitors with a huge ticker-tape parade for the New York Giants football team, victorious in the weekend's Super Bowl.
At a Washington Heights polling station in upper Manhattan, people trickled into booths at a local church to stand behind a black plastic screen and cast their votes, before walking back out into this particular working-class neighbourhood that is known for its strong immigrant population.
It was democracy in action, and after a long build-up and close international scrutiny, it was Americans who were having their say.
James Shubinski, a 40-year-old mixed-race Democrat voter, chose Barack Obama because of one thing - "Inspiration", he said.
"I feel like we've had two Bushes in a row, now we would have two Clintons in a row."
Mr Shubinski said he liked Hillary Clinton and felt she would do a good job as President, but Mr Obama would be a fresh start. "I think the country needs a lot of healing and we need to restore faith in America around the world," he said. "I think Barack will bring people together. Barack would be a message that the last eight years haven't been representative of us, but representative of an administration."
Similar words were being uttered across the country from voters who backed the 46-year-old Illinois senator's surge toward Super Tuesday.
But Mr Obama didn't have it all his own way. Outside the Washington Heights polling station, Naomi, a 50-something Democrat who works three jobs, said it was time for a woman to take the reins.
"I don't know if there will ever be another Hillary," she said of the former First Lady, Hillary Clinton. "We need a woman's sensibility. She is so smart. A woman's time has come."
Republicans were hard to find at this Washington Heights station, but one was in a bus nearby waiting to drive his next route through the city. He said he chose John McCain, because the former prisoner of war represents the "American way".
As polling continued, nothing could dampen the spirits of New Yorkers on this Super Tuesday. They had just cheered their football team and were enjoying the chance to also have a say at the ballot.
By the time evening fell and polls entered their final hours, parties were beginning for the candidates. At Mrs Clinton's event in the centre of New York City, supporters were hand-picked to take certain positions behind the stage - those were the people who would be beamed all around the world behind Mrs Clinton when she fronted the wall of television cameras.
The people were carefully placed behind her podium. Not too many older people in one spot, not too many white people in one spot, not too many of anything in one spot.
By the time campaign staff were done, the group represented every type of American voter that could be imagined. In this political race, image is all-important.
Mrs Clinton's supporters appeared a bit low-key early, worried by exit polls suggesting Mr Obama had surged at the polls. But as votes started adding up, Mrs Clinton was doing better than expected.
Long into the night it was still unclear who were the winners. The crowd breathlessly continued to wait for Mrs Clinton.
It was called a circus by an international viewer who sent his opinion to a television network. But finally it was the Americans' circus. It was their decision to make.
DELEGATES
Standings late last night:
Democrats (2025 needed to win nomination)
* Hillary Clinton 760
* Barack Obama 692
Republicans (1191 needed)
* John McCain 570
* Mitt Romney 251
* Mike Huckabee 175
Next
Votes in Louisiana, Kansas and Washington on Sunday.
