A Divided Country, A New President - A Race Like No Other
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A Divided Country, A New President

Story by Jodi Enda, CNN

After a bitter, tumultuous election that laid bare deep divisions with the nation, Americans elected Donald Trump to be the 45th president of the United States. The end of the race was as dramatic as the campaign had been, with results in battleground states teetering back and forth before it became clear, in the wee hours of November 9, that Trump had defeated former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The unprecedented campaign was full of dramatic twists and turns, including an on-again-off-again FBI investigation into Clinton's private email server, a tape in which Trump boasted about sexually assaulting women and allegations from 11 women who said the New York businessman had touched or kissed them without their consent.

Trump appealed to Americans who felt left behind. They were more white, more male and less educated than Clinton’s supporters, according to exit polls. Clinton, who was vying to become the first female president, appealed more to women, minorities and college graduates.

The nation was split in half. In the end, both winner and loser looked beyond their deep-seated rivalry to call for healing as America prepared for a new chapter led by a political neophyte—the first president with no government or military experience—named Donald Trump.

CNN, Instagram and CA Technologies project Donald Trump's victory onto the Empire State Building in the early hours of November 9. Vincent Laforet and Mike Isler for CNN
Waiting for results at Trump's election night party in New York. Melissa Golden/Redux for CNN
Hillary Clinton's campaign planned her election-night party at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, which offered a physical reminder of the glass ceiling she was hoping to break. Thousands of supporters waited, but the candidate herself never appeared there. Gabriella Demczuk for CNN
The Secret Service begins a three-hour sweep of the New York Hilton, site of Trump's election-night party. Melissa Golden/Redux for CNN
A chocolate cake created for Trump's election night party. Melissa Golden/Redux for CNN
The Clintons visit with residents after voting in Chappaqua, New York. Callie Shell for CNN
Clinton supporters watch the election results come in at what was to have been a victory party. The race was called in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Callie Shell for CNN
Supporters at Trump's victory party celebrate when the election is called. Melissa Golden/Redux for CNN
"Women for Trump" signs are displayed at his victory party. Melissa Golden/Redux for CNN
A Clinton supporter wears a bumper sticker that reads: "A woman's place is in the House, the Senate and the Oval Office." Gabriella Demczuk for CNN
Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta, takes the stage at about 2 a.m. to tell supporters at her election-night party that the candidate would not be speaking there. About a half hour later, Clinton would call Trump to concede. Gabriella Demczuk for CNN
Trump's family watches from the stage as he delivers his victory speech. Melissa Golden/Redux for CNN
With his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, behind him, Trump delivers his victory speech. "Ours was not a campaign but rather an incredible and great movement, made up of millions of hard-working men and women who love their country and want a better, brighter future for themselves and for their family," Trump said. David Hume Kennerly for CNN