After one of the most volatile, and certainly most unique presidential campaigns in history, the American voters made their choice on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, and at about 2:50 AM today, Donald J. Trump officially became the next President-Elect of the United States.

Following the concession call from Hillary Clinton, a Trump more reserved than many Americans have come to know from the campaign rallies wasted little time trying to begin the post-campaign healing process.

“Now it’s time for America to bind the wounds of division,” Trump stated in his acceptance speech.  “I pledge to all every citizen of our land, that I will be President for all Americans,” he added.

With Trump securing 289 electoral votes at the time if this publication, he made history becoming the first American President-elect with no political or military experience, following an election season that saw the awakening of people across the country who saw Trump as the voice for the silent majority.

Expected to be a key battleground throughout the campaign, Pennsylvania was among several states to play a significant role in Trump’s ability to secure the 270 electoral votes needed for the White House. Along with voter returns from key rust belt states of Michigan and Wisconsin, states such as Pennsylvania took center stage into the early hours of Wednesday morning.

It is possible that Clinton could end up winning the popular vote despite Trump’s securing of the electoral vote, as voting counts continue to be finalized. As of 6:45am today, Clinton held a popular vote lead of 35,588 votes. In the hotly contested election of 2000, Al Gore won the popular vote, while George W. Bush secured 271 electoral votes.

In down ballot election results from Pennsylvania there was plenty more excitement, particularly in the contentious U.S. Senate race where Patrick Toomey edged out Katie McGinty.( http://www.electionreturns.pa.gov/ENR_NEW)

The next several weeks will witness the transformation of a billionaire business mogul into the 45th American President, leading up to his January inauguration. Debates about his policies and his experience will undoubtedly continue, while Clinton supporters and the Democratic party will spend copious amounts of time figuring out where their political machine broke down. And as this post-campaign hangover continues, America will also continue to learn a lot about itself. One thing is for certain though, students of American government and politics will be studying the 2016 Presidential election for a long time.