Heading into election night 2016, Hillary Clinton seemed likely to make history as the first woman elected president of the United States. The Democratic nominee and former secretary of state had a resume tailor-made for the job, and faced an unpredictable newcomer to politics, Republican Donald Trump, who made his own rules on the campaign trail.
But the night became historic for a different reason, as Trump won several critical swing states and pulled off one of the biggest upsets ever in U.S. politics.
A year later, here’s a moment-by-moment look back at that dramatic night, as told through photos, videos and the social media feeds of Newsday staff, major news organizations including The Associated Press and the candidates themselves.
Social media posts are timed according to when they were posted.
8:10 p.m. Clinton the clear favorite
Early in the night, major election forecasters The New York Times and FiveThirtyEight heavily predict a Clinton win. The Democrat holds an Electoral College lead over Trump.
8:22 p.m.
Things are looking good for Clinton as the Times makes this forecast. A minute later, FiveThirtyEight says Clinton has a 75 percent chance of winning the presidency.
Live forecast: Hillary Clinton has an 82% chance of becoming president, as of 8:22 p.m. ET https://t.co/Yd2Xl2a502 pic.twitter.com/sMTyLMLr3D
— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 9, 2016
8:35 p.m.
Mood gets pensive for Nassau Democrats as early results come in showing a narrow early lead for Trump in Florida. pic.twitter.com/JEj5SnkzIV
— Valerie Bauman (@valeriereports) November 9, 2016
8:42 p.m. Looking to make history
With slogans like “I’m with her,” Clinton’s campaign emphasized the historic nature of her campaign. On election night, thousands of her supporters stood under the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center’s actual glass ceiling, hoping their candidate would break the most significant glass ceiling of all, the presidency.
8:43 p.m.
"We're going to shatter that stubborn glass ceiling," @NYCMayor says of HRC outside Javits pic.twitter.com/A1dDdd7PIM
— Emily Ngo (@epngo) November 9, 2016
9:14 p.m. Clinton takes New York
JUST IN: @HillaryClinton has won New York. See more live #ElectionNight results https://t.co/GIOis1QhPl pic.twitter.com/2h1VYzE4qn
— Newsday (@Newsday) November 9, 2016
9:19 p.m.
Live forecast: Hillary Clinton has a 60% chance of becoming president, as of 9:19 p.m. ET https://t.co/Yd2Xl2a502 pic.twitter.com/cDp8AB8Gnt
— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 9, 2016
9:35 p.m. Signs of trouble for Clinton
Trump hasn’t claimed any surprising wins by this point, but there are signs of trouble for Clinton as the race is closer than expected in some key states.
Florida, North Carolina still too close to call in #Election2016. https://t.co/8p3HbFNKMD pic.twitter.com/Ybg8Z3RLrL
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) November 9, 2016
9:40 p.m. Trump gains ground
Live forecast: Donald Trump has a 55% chance of becoming president, as of 9:40 p.m. ET https://t.co/Yd2Xl2a502 pic.twitter.com/5RCGguZ01N
— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 9, 2016
9:48 p.m.
Trump tweets a memorable election night photo of himself and running mate Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, surrounded by family members.
Watching the returns at 9:45pm. #ElectionNight #MAGA🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/HfuJeRZbod
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 9, 2016
9:54 p.m.
Financial markets fall in Asia as they react to the possibility of a Trump presidency, the AP reports. Asian shares lose early gains, tumbling as Trump gained the lead in the electoral vote count.
Asian shares plummet as Donald Trump gains lead in electoral votes. https://t.co/YuULpH6nv7
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 9, 2016
10 p.m. Democrats stay optimistic
10:33 p.m.
"This is going to be a great night when it’s over, I believe that," @NYGovCuomo says outside HRC Election Night party
— Emily Ngo (@epngo) November 9, 2016
10:37 p.m. Trump begins breakthrough
Trump takes his first major battleground state — the perennial presidential bellwether of Ohio.
BREAKING: Trump wins Ohio. @AP race call at 10:36 p.m. EST. #Election2016 #APracecall pic.twitter.com/y0Km746r75
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 9, 2016
10:41 p.m. Clinton still trails
Even with this victory and another that would follow in Colorado, called by the AP at 10:43, Clinton trails Trump in electoral votes 168-131, according to the wire service. Trump has won 19 states to Clinton’s 12 plus Washington, D.C.
BREAKING: Clinton wins Virginia. @AP race call at 10:40 p.m. EST. #Election2016 #APracecall pic.twitter.com/Z2kNqyF2Q4
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 9, 2016
11:05 p.m. Part 2 of a 1-2 punch
Trump strikes another big blow with his win in Florida, called at 10:50. He adds its 29 electoral votes to his tally as the tide shifts.
JUST IN: Trump captures crucial victories. Other key battleground states remain exceptionally tight #ElectionNight https://t.co/CHbLlQN4R2 pic.twitter.com/lmOGjVRfdI
— Newsday (@Newsday) November 9, 2016
11:11 p.m. Trump camp’s confidence grows
Fox projected Utah for Trump well before the AP would call the state for him, at 11:52 p.m.
The mood is very optimistic and celebratory at Donald Trump's campaign party in Manhattan after Ohio, Florida, Utah
— Elissa Salamy (@Elissa_Salamy) November 9, 2016
11:12 p.m.
Trump takes another key state.
BREAKING: Trump wins North Carolina. @AP race call at 11:11 p.m. EST. #Election2016 #APracecall pic.twitter.com/QQf7uzaUaI
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 9, 2016
11:20 p.m.
At this point, six AP battleground states remain available on the map — Iowa, Nevada, Michigan, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — and Hillary Clinton is trailing in electoral votes.
Which states have been called for @HillaryClinton and @realDonaldTrump? Check out our live results #ElectionNight https://t.co/XtfHeU8hen pic.twitter.com/yW8EAHtKLx
— Newsday (@Newsday) November 9, 2016
11:36 p.m. The idea of a President Trump emerges
Trump supporters who love chants try out a new one: "President Trump!" pic.twitter.com/qmzWHTzOY6
— Michael Gormley (@GormleyAlbany) November 9, 2016
11:42 p.m.
Georgia goes for Trump, putting him fewer than 40 electoral votes away from the White House. https://t.co/9J0CQBELjD pic.twitter.com/LQ2UhV4zUE
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) November 9, 2016
11:57 p.m.
Newsday’s first edition cover is sent to press.
12:11 a.m.
Why is Trump doing so well? “Because Hillary is a liar,” said Ida Vangieri, 76, of Nutley, N.J., at Trump's party in NYC.
— Michael Gormley (@GormleyAlbany) November 9, 2016
12:26 a.m. ‘Just shock’
After Tuesday becomes Wednesday, Trump claims Iowa while Clinton gets a victory in Nevada. But her prospects for the presidency are dimming.
Not feeling anger among the HRC faithful here at Javits, just shock, sadness, sadness, sadness
— Emily Ngo (@epngo) November 9, 2016
1 a.m.
Cher, in lobby of Javits Center tells reporters she feels like there's been a death in the family. #ElectionNight pic.twitter.com/QJsoHWQKxG
— Laura Figueroa (@Laura_Figueroa) November 9, 2016
1:21 a.m.
Lyrics of sad song playing right now at HRC Election Night party, "We were born to be fighters. And we're fighting for our lives."
— Emily Ngo (@epngo) November 9, 2016
1:23 a.m.
The block party has lost its "party-ness" and most have cleared. Mood: tension mixed with sadness #ElectionNight pic.twitter.com/1AUCQ8lRap
— Anahita Pardiwalla (@anahitakp) November 9, 2016
1:31 a.m. Nearing the presidency
Trump's crowd is getting antsy, whistling and yelling "call it" every so often
— Elissa Salamy (@Elissa_Salamy) November 9, 2016
1:50 a.m.
With Pennsylvania in his column, Trump just needs six more electoral votes to be elected president.
JUST IN: Donald Trump moves within reach of the White House #ElectionNight https://t.co/c3xMxy4VBF pic.twitter.com/K4nk30z1e0
— Newsday (@Newsday) November 9, 2016
Just after 2 a.m. ‘She is not done yet’
Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta makes brief remarks at the Javits Center but offers no concession. “She’s done an amazing job and she is not done yet,” he says of his candidate.
2:13 a.m.
Trump supporters ready to celebrate but appear ready to wait to later today pic.twitter.com/R0WKinNYlV
— Michael Gormley (@GormleyAlbany) November 9, 2016
2:31 a.m. Trump elected 45th president
Trump wins Wisconsin — a state that had not gone red in a presidential race since 1984 — and in turn the White House. The AP officially calls the presidential election for Trump at 2:29 a.m.
BREAKING: Donald Trump is elected president of the United States. pic.twitter.com/yJpgfsAbc6
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 9, 2016
2:39 a.m.
BREAKING: @realDonaldTrump has won the White House #Election Night https://t.co/4GblNzSbwR pic.twitter.com/mQbYSotbt6
— Newsday (@Newsday) November 9, 2016
2:40 a.m.
Newsday’s second edition cover is sent to press.
2:44 a.m. Clinton supporters mourn
Heartbreak at the Javits tonight among HRC faithful pic.twitter.com/jUwOCof4Ex
— Emily Ngo (@epngo) November 9, 2016
Around 2:45 a.m. Trump appears before supporters
Trump addressed supporters for about 15 minutes. Watch his full remarks in this video from ABC News.
2:52 a.m.
"Ours was not a campaign but an incredible and great movement," Donald Trump says. #ElectionNight
— Newsday (@Newsday) November 9, 2016
2:58 a.m.
Many Clinton supporters remain in shock over the upset. Americans would eventually find out that Clinton won the popular vote by nearly 3 million votes.
Clinton supporter walks by screen playing Trump speech yells "you will never be my president!" as tears stream down her eyes
— Laura Figueroa (@Laura_Figueroa) November 9, 2016
3:22 a.m.
Newsday’s third edition cover — its last of the night, with a photo of President-elect Trump giving a thumbs-up after his victory — is sent to press.
With The Associated Press