It was just past 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4 and Riptide on Taraval Street and 46th Avenue was overflowing with excited individuals, smashed into the small space and exuding happiness at Barack Obama being announced as the 44th President of the United States.

The party had been going on for over an hour, led by Lloyd Dangle, a comedian and producer of the comic strip, “Trouble Town.” The party was a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the comic as well as a commemoration of the election.

“This is the last stop on my book tour,” Dangle said. “But I won’t be doing my normal routine tonight. We have much more important things to focus on.”

The crowd was a collection of people from all backgrounds and from many different parts of the city, coming together to celebrate a unique moment in history. “We are all here for the same reason,” said Alyssa Koral, a financial advisor and San Francisco resident. “I came tonight because I knew that all of these people would be here to celebrate this new step for America.”

The walls inside the bar were decorated with various political cartoons designed by Dangle over the years, along with cardboard cut-outs of presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama and a large screen on which the election results were projected.

“I am so proud of my generation today,” said Lindsey Engelhardt, a creative writing major at SF State. “We came for the drink specials and because we don’t have a TV at home. We wanted to be somewhere where everyone would be as excited as we are.”

A huge crowd formed in front of the large screen set up in the bar as the concession and acceptance speeches were given and a combination of emotion could be heard throughout the night.

“I lost my voice tonight, I was screaming so loud when Obama won,” said Mary DeLorenzo, a women’s studies major at SF State.

The general sentiment for the night was one of happiness and good company. “I feel like I have been waiting for this moment for seven years,” Koral said. “I feel so overwhelmed right now, I can’t even explain the joy I am feeling.”

The excitement did not falter as the night went on, and the bar continued to be crowded long after the speeches had been given.

“This is a step in the right direction,” said Mike Nadal, a computer specialist. “I think we have a lot to look forward to the next four years, I look up to Obama so much and hope I can meet him someday.”