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A photo of Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, posted to the President's Twitter account minutes after he won Ohio

Just moments after the U.S. networks projected an Obama win, the President's Twitter account posted a photo of Michelle Obama embracing her husband, with a simple message: "Four more years".

Within an hour that tweet was being discussed as the most popular tweet of all time, garnering more than 300,000 retweets.

Social media literally heaved under the weight of millions of people taking to Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and countless other platforms to share their view. Here's a look back at the most memorable tweets and quotes from election night, ranging from the candidates themselves to Globe readers:

BEFORE THE WIN

"With your help, we will turn our country around and get America back on the path to prosperity. Please vote today."
- @MittRomney, at 5:55pm ET. The account remained silent for the rest of the night.

"I think anybody who's running for office would be lying if they say that there's not some butterflies before the polls come in because anything can happen."
- U.S. President Barack Obama admits some polling day nerves to an AP reporter.

"I was just trying to read (the ballot paper) and breathe, read and breathe. That's what I kept telling myself: 'Read and breathe, read and breathe'."
- First-time Chicago voter Galacia Malone, 21, describes to the AP how she cast her ballot while in labour. She later gave birth to a baby girl.

"Please excuse the appearance of this place. Two days ago, it was under two feet of water."
- A polling-station worker in Hoboken, New Jersey, apologizes to voters for its late opening. The city was hard-hit by superstorm Sandy last week.

" I see voter suppression as like poking a bear with a stick. Fifty per cent of the voters normally don't vote.  That's a lot of potential voters to get mad about efforts to suppress them."
- Professor Paul Quirk of Ohio's Oberlin College, in The Globe and Mail's liveblog

"Utah goes for Romney! The least interesting news of the night."
- Globe Chief Political writer John Ibbitson, in The Globe's liveblog

"Here in filing room at Romney's election-night HQ, the CNN feed has gone down. Fox News for everyone!"
- The Globe's Adam Radwanski, in Boston, via Twitter

AFTER THE WIN

"It's problematic when a 'win' is this narrow. A country divided. And how will things be different tomorrow?"
- Globe reader Gagan Diesh via Twitter

"My faith in the American people is restored!"
- Globe reader Merv Mascarenhas via Twitter

"This happened because of you. Thank you."
- @BarackObama just after the U.S. networks called Ohio in his favour

"She would have been a wonderful first lady."
- Mitt Romney on his wife Ann, in his concession speech

"I look forward to working with the Obama Administration over the next four years to continue finding ways to increase trade and investment flows between our countries." - Prime Minister Stephen Harper in an official statement

"Warm congratulations to my friend Barack Obama. Look forward to continuing to work together."
- British Prime Minister David Cameron via Twitter

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