World,s React to bin Laden's Death‎

World leaders are reacting to the news of the death of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

Former U.S. president George W. Bush called bin Laden's death a "momentous achievement." Bush was president when when al-Qaida attacked the U.S. on September 11, 2001.

"I'm here because America kicks ass," said Chance Mitchell, junior in mechanical engineering. Mitchell started the night on Central Campus with a small group of people, and followed the crowd for the celebration's entirety.

Mitchell learned of bin Laden's death through Facebook, which was not uncommon. Many students said they heard about it on Facebook, Twitter or via text message. Others were simply in the right place at the right time for the celebration.

"As soon as Obama gave his speech — I'm in a fraternity — and everyone in Greekland poured out into the streets to sing and rally, and as a group we all assembled," said Colin Hueser, sophomore in biochemistry. "We were here, we ended up at Welch, and we all just ended up here to celebrate. It's something that, when I'm 80, I'll remember this for the rest of my life.

Reaction was the same at the VFW in Bloomington an hour before closing time. "I think as a country we definitely needed it. I think we needed some closure," Chris Foster said. Foster, a veteran of the first Persian Gulf War, hoped the stunning news would remind the American public about the soldiers still in the Middle East.

"Everyday, do we think about it? Now all of the sudden it surprised everybody. It's like oh yes, oh my gosh, I almost forgot about him; forgot that we were still there," Foster said.

n the United States, jubilant crowds gathered outside the White House in Washington, and Times Square in New York - as well as what is known as "ground zero" - to celebrate bin Laden's death.

A VOA reporter on the scene at the scene in Washington said young Americans, celebrating outside the gates of the White House, sang the national anthem as they climbed trees and lampposts to hang American flags.

Special occasion

Following chants of "Bush! Bush!" and "Bring back Reagan," Zach Bartlett, sophomore in biological systems engineering, said he only wears his "Reagan-Bush '84" t-shirt on special occasions. Connor McMahon, in political science and history, said the same of his American flag polo shirt.

"It's been 10 years since the attack on 9/11 and Osama bin Laden's been running and hiding, but we finally caught up to him today. It's a great feeling to know that President Bush didn't put all his efforts into something that was for naught," McMahon said.

While some wore their political affiliations on their sleeves, others felt the night transcended party lines.

In 20 years of doing it, you have a few headlines that really stand out. This is definitely one of them," pressman Steve Marthaler said as he ran the folder. There was a sense of pride that workers could feel, that went beyond the printed word.