Democrat Barack Obama made history on Tuesday night, beating Republican rival John McCain, becoming the nation’s first black President.

Obama garnered 349 votes in the Electoral College to McCain’s 147.

According to a spokesperson, Obama reached out to McCain when the longtime Arizona senator called to concede shortly before 10 p.m. (CST). Obama asked for his rival’s help in leading the nation through what is sure to be rocky economic times. Not to mention a pair of ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Obama will be the nation’s 44th President.