WASHINGTON — Barack Hussein Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States on Tuesday, swept to victory by an anxious country eager to change course at home and abroad.

Obama, 47, becomes the first African-American in U.S. history to win the presidency and the first from the generation that came of age after the turbulence of the 1960s.

His win suggested a new political order in the making. He drew masses of young people to politics for the first time. His biracial heritage reflected the changing demographic face of America. His mastery of the Internet matched the rise of a new information age. And his push into formerly Republican states in the South, Midwest and West marked a new political landscape possibly emerging.

After an epic struggle, the first-term Democratic senator from Illinois defeated Republican John McCain, 72, a hero of the Vietnam War and a four-term senator from Arizona.

"It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America," a triumphant Obama told a cheering audience of an estimated 125,000 supporters in Chicago's Grant Park, alongside Lake Michigan.

To those watching from abroad, he said that, "a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.� To those who would tear this world down — we will defeat you.� To those who seek peace and security — we support you."

He lauded his wife, Michelle, and saluted McCain, calling him a "brave and selfless leader."

McCain conceded the election in a call to Obama at 11 p.m. Eastern time. Obama responded that he looked forward to working with McCain in the Senate. "I need your help. You're a leader on so many important issues," Obama told him.

McCain then faced his disappointed supporters under clear skies outside a Phoenix hotel.

"The American people have spoken and they have spoken clearly," McCain said, his wife, Cindy, at his side.

McCain saluted Obama for his success and noted his unique triumph as an African-American. "I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together," he said.

He also lauded his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who would've become the nation's first female vice president.

President Bush also called Obama shortly after 11 p.m. in Washington. "You are about to go on one of the great journeys of life," Bush told the president-elect. "Congratulations and go enjoy yourself."

Obama was at the vanguard of Democratic gains across the country that promised him a solid working majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Democratic challengers ousted Republican incumbent Sens. Elizabeth Dole in North Carolina and John Sununu in New Hampshire. Democrats also picked up open Republican Senate seats in New Mexico and Virginia.

However, they failed to oust Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, apparently dashing their hopes of gaining a filibuster-proof 60 votes in the Senate.

Eager for a popular mandate to reshape the government, Obama appeared well on his way late Tuesday night to become the first Democrat to take a majority of the popular vote since Jimmy Carter eked out a 50.1 percent win in 1976.

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