(CNN) -- World leaders rushed to congratulate President-elect Barack Obama as incumbent George W. Bush called his win "a testament to hard work, optimism and faith in the enduring promise of our nation."

Kenya declared a national holiday for Obama's White House victory.

Speaking from the White House, Bush said the people had chosen a president "whose journey represents a triumph of the American story."

He said: "It will be a stirring sight to watch President Obama, his wife, Michelle and their beautiful girls step through the doors of the White House.

"I know millions of Americans will be overcome with pride at this inspiring moment that so many have waited for for so long."  Watch the speech from President Bush Â»

Across the globe, people in city squares and villages, living rooms and shacks cheered his success, boosting hopes that America's first black commander-in-chief might herald a more conciliatory approach to the rest of the world.

Leading the congratulations by world leaders, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was excited about the prospect of working with the new U.S. president.

"I know Barack Obama and we share many values," he said. "And I look forward to working extremely closely with him in the coming months and years."  Watch as Brown hails 'friend of Britain' Â»

German Chancellor Angela Merkel also offered her congratulations and said she would work with Obama to deal with the challenges facing the world.

"I'm convinced that through a close and trusting cooperation between the United States and Europe we will be able to confront new risks and challenges in a decisive manner and will be able to take advantage of the numerous opportunities that are opening up in our world," Merkel said.

Obama met both Brown and Merkel over the summer while on an international trip through Europe and the Middle East and held a huge rally in Berlin that revived memories of President John F. Kennedy's 1963 visit.

Chinese President Hu Jintao offered similar congratulations, urging Obama to join China in shouldering "important common responsibilities."

"I look forward to endeavor together with you," he said. "To push the Sino-U.S. constructive and cooperative relations to a new level, in order to better benefit our two peoples and the peoples of the world."

In Kenya, Obama's extended family danced in his ancestral village of Kogelo, chanting, "Barack Obama, Barack Obama is going to the White House."

Obama's grandmother, half-brother and relatives eagerly watched the election results, while in the capital Nairobi, revelers marched and danced through the streets to sirens and whistles, singing Obama's name and carrying and waving American flags. Blog from Kogelo, Kenya

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki called Obama's election "a momentous day not only in the history of the United States of America, but also for us in Kenya. The victory of Senator Obama is our own victory because of his roots here in Kenya. As a country, we are full of pride for his success."  Watch celebrations in Kenya Â»

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said: "On a personal note, as an African-American, I am especially proud because this is a country that's been through long journey in overcoming wounds, and making race not the factor in our lives."

Her predecessor, another African-American, Colin Powell said he wept as he watched Obama deliver his victory speech in Chicago's Grant Park.

Powell, in an interview with CNN in Hong Kong, said he believed Obama had the potential to be a great president and asked Americans -- including Republicans -- to get behind Obama.  Watch as Powell describes his reaction Â»

Powell, a retired U.S. general and a Republican, was once seen as a possible presidential candidate himself but endorsed Obama towards the end of the campaign.

"Obama displayed a steadiness. Showed intellectual vigor. He has a definitive way of doing business that will do us well," Powell said Wednesday.

In Jakarta, Indonesia
Who is the President of Kenya? Who congratulates Barack Obama? What did President Bush say? What did Bush say that the Obama victory represents? Who congratulated Obama?
Mwai Kibaki leaders "whose journey represents a triumph of the American story." a triumph of the American story." German Chancellor Angela Merkel
question: Who is the President of Kenya?, answer: Mwai Kibaki | question: Who congratulates Barack Obama?, answer: leaders | question: What did President Bush say?, answer: "whose journey represents a triumph of the American story." | question: What did Bush say that the Obama victory represents?, answer: a triumph of the American story." | question: Who congratulated Obama?, answer: German Chancellor Angela Merkel