Excitement about Barack Obama’s sealing the democratic presidential nomination has broken out as a global phenomenon Wednesday. The world welcomed the news.

The excitement was due to a sense that this candidate with relatives in Africa and childhood friends in Asia marks a historic moment.

In Kenya, the home of Obama’s paternal extended family, a newspaper devoted its front page to Obama’s victory.

Indonesians were rooting for the man they consider to be a hometown hero. Obama lived there from age 6 to 10 with his mother and Indonesian stepfather.

The Times newspaper of London said Obama’s campaign “has rekindled America’s faith in its prodigious powers of reinvention – and the world’s admiration for America.”

Obama opposed the invasion of Iraq and has called for an early troop withdrawal. He also has shown willingness to engage in talks with Iran, North Korea and Cuba.