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President Barack Obama announced in an address to the nation last night that the U.S. had finally killed Al Qaeda leader and terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden in a firefight at a $1 million compound in the town of Abbottabad (about two hours outside of Islamabad).
Obama said in his speech: "For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaeda’s leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat al Qaeda."
Celebrations erupted in Times Square and outside of the White House, as well as at Ground Zero and a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies. Celebrities, meanwhile, took to Twitter to react to the news. Here's what they had to say...
Khloe Kardashian tweeted: "Proud to be an American! God bless our military for capturing the man who took thousands of innocent lives. Bin Laden is dead!"
Neil Patrick Harris wrote: "Everyone is sitting around my living room, mouths agape. Wow, what a night. Thank you, Mr. President, for such an eloquent speech."
Alyssa Milano remembered American troops in her tweet: "Sending love to the @us_navyseals & all divisions of our military tonight. I appreciate your efforts, sacrifice & courage."
Mike Tyson reminded us in his tweet: "Obama got rid of Osama!! ... The principles of Islam are peace & love. Please don't confuse Osama's views as the view of Muslims."
Katy Perry in a series of Tweets expressed her jubilation and concern: "America! F**k yeah! Here to save the motherf**kin' day, yeah! Does anyone else find it strange that this is announced on May Day? I am relieved in some ways, but have a feeling of uncertainty now. I believe in justice, but don't you think that an eye for an eye will make the world blind?"
Arnold Schwarzenegger kept it classy, writing: "I'm proud of our men and women in uniform. Wherever you are, take a minute to say thank you to one of the brave heroes who serve our country."
Jimmy Kimmel, on the other hand, went the comedic route, tweeting: "I really hope bin laden didn't get reincarnated as one of Mariah Carey's babies."
Paris Hilton twittered: "Just landed back in L.A., so happy to hear the news of Osama bin Laden's death. He was the face of terrorism and such an evil man. The world is a much better place with him not in it."
Nick Lachey celebrated with a shot of Jack Daniels, complete with picture: "Doing a shot of jack daniels, the ALL AMERICAN whiskey to celebrate the end of the #wickedwitch."
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, meanwhile, is already looking forward to the film about Bin Laden's demise: "Can't wait for the Ron Howard movie about this with The Rock playing the Navy Seal who pulled the trigger."
Actor-comedian Patton Oswalt wrote what everyone was thinking: "No matter how collected Obama is during his speech, he's hearing LL Cool J's 'Mama Said Knock You Out' blasting in his head."
Lady Gaga tweeted: "Just landed. Watching CNN, what a historical moment in the fight against hatred."
And Lindsay Lohan summed up the general patriotic mood with a simple tweet: "Go USA!"
President Obama expressed what many needed to hear at the end of his speech: "We give thanks for the men who carried out this operation, for they exemplify the professionalism, patriotism, and unparalleled courage of those who serve our country. And they are part of a generation that has borne the heaviest share of the burden since that September day. Finally, let me say to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11 that we have never forgotten your loss, nor wavered in our commitment to see that we do whatever it takes to prevent another attack on our shores."
