Trump defeats Clinton: The US election night, in pictures

Republican Donald Trump has shocked the world by defeating Hillary Clinton in the race for the White House, ending eight years of Democratic rule and sending the US on a new, uncertain path. He will become the 45th President of the US on 20 January 2017.

Pledging to be a president "for all Americans", the wealthy real-estate developer and former reality TV host addressed thousands of supporters at his victory party in New York City, asking that the nation come together, and promised to "represent every citizen of our land". He declared that this was a "time for America to bind the wounds of division" and "time for us to come together as one". He added that "America will no longer settle for anything but the best" and said that the nation will "dream big and bold and daring". Trump told the crowd that he had received a phone call from Clinton, who had congratulated him on his win. Trump went on to say that he too had "congratulated her and her family on a very, very hard-fought campaign". Hillary Clinton came closer than any other woman to winning US presidency.

Fox News Channel reported early on Wednesday morning (9 November) that the Republican had won the US presidency, capturing at least 277 Electoral College votes. The presidency will be Trump's first elected office, and it remains to be seen how he will work with Congress. During the campaign Trump was the target of sharp disapproval, not just from Democrats but from many in his own party. Americans watched the election coverage in their homes, bars and in the streets, in what has been the most unpredictable US election in American history. IBTimesUK presents the best photos from the election night that stunned the world: