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Subscribe to RSSCAIRO, Egypt – This must be the best party in the world. It’s 9 p.m. in Tahrir Square and I'm surrounded by thousands of people who likely are the happiest on earth right now.
Egyptians can at last celebrate – and they are. Tahrir Square is full of families, men lighting firecrackers, women holding signs saying “freedom,” people on motorbikes and others waving the national flag.
Marco Longari / AFP - Getty Images
Egyptian soldiers celebrate with anti-government protesters at Cairo's Tahrir Square after president Hosni Mubarak stepped down on Friday. Click the photo above for a complete slide show.
Egyptians are proud today and want to show their achievement to the world.
I must have received at least 30 hugs and countless handshakes; one man was so happy he kissed me.
For joyful Egyptians, the best photo to get was one of their kids on top of an army tank or posing with soldiers. The soldiers were happy too, hugging babies, smiling, and receiving water from the elated crowd.
Over the last few weeks, I witnessed fierce battles in this same square, with rocks being tossed and Molotov cocktails flying through the air.
But tonight, it's all about celebration, and the victory of people who were stubborn enough to fight for their freedom.
As I left the square, I looked back and saw an endless stream of people arriving to take part in the party, and I heard a cacophony of chanting mixed with car honking.
This is one party I’ll be telling my grandchildren about in years to come.
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We all should learn from these young people. Democracy means all parties not selection of whis party is allowed.
Regardless of the course of future events, what happened today in Egypt marked one of those pivotal moments in history when nothing would ever be the same again. An oppressed people not only tried, but succeeded, in taking down an authoritarian regime, without a single shot being fired. Such events are so rare, so inspiring, that peoples and nations around the world will be encouraged by it. Other Arab countries under authoritarian rule should be afraid, very afraid. The people are coming for them!
This is an awe-inspiring moment. My meager words can not describe my own elation, sitting here in an armchair in Nebraska - much less portray the emotional high of an entire nation at its moment of rebirth. I'll just sit here and smile - and with that smile, realize that for just a moment, I am sharing something human with an Egyptian.
Reminds me of the collapse of the East German state. An incredible moment in history, as this also is. Large amounts of sincere praise to the brave citizens of Egypt. They remained consistent. Beautiful, loving every moment of this!