CAIRO (AP) - Fireworks burst over Tahrir Square and Egypt exploded with joy and tears of relief after pro-democracy protesters brought down President Hosni Mubarak with a momentous march on his palaces and state TV. Mubarak, who until the end seemed unable to grasp the depth of resentment over his three decades of authoritarian rule, finally resigned Friday and handed power to the military.
The crowds in Cairo, the Mediterranean city of Alexandria and other cities around the country erupted into a pandemonium of cheers and waving flags. They danced, hugged and raised their hands in prayer after Vice President Omar Suleiman made the announcement on national TV just after nightfall. (33 images)
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Egyptian anti-government protesters celebrate outside the presidential palace in Cairo after President Hosni Mubarak stepped down on February 11, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Mohammed Abed
Egyptian anti-government protesters celebrate under fireworks at Cairo's Tahrir Square after president Hosni Mubarak stepped down on February 11, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Marco Longari
Egyptian anti-government protesters celebrate with soldiers at Cairo's Tahrir Square after AFP/ Getty Images / Marco Longari
Egyptian anti-government protesters celebrate outside the presidential palace in Cairo after president Hosni Mubarak stepped down on February 11, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Mohammed Abed
Anti-government protesters celebrate in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt , Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. AP / Emilio Morenatti
Protesters celebrate the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, who handed control of the country to the military, in the street in downtown Cairo, Egypt , Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. AP / Emilio Morenatti
Egyptians toss a boy in the air as they celebrate the news of the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, who handed control of the country to the military, at night in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. AP / Tara Todras-Whitehill
Egyptians celebrate the news of the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, who handed control of the country to the military, at night in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. AP / Ben Curtis
Egyptians celebrate the news of the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, who handed control of the country to the military, at night in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. AP / Ben Curtis
Egyptian women celebrate the news of the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, who handed control of the country to the military, at night in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. AP / Tara Todras-Whitehill
Anti-government protesters celebrate the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, who handed control of the country to the military, in the street in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. AP / Emilio Morenatti
Anti-government protesters celebrate in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt , Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011, following the announcement of the resignation of Egyptian President Mukarak. AP / Emilio Morenatti
Egyptians celebrate the news of the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, who handed control of the country to the military, at night in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. AP / Tara Todras-Whitehill
Egyptians celebrate the news of the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, who handed control of the country to the military, at night in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. AP / Ben Curtis
Egyptians celebrate after President Hosni Mubarak resigned and handed power to the military in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. Egypt exploded with joy, tears, and relief after pro-democracy protesters brought down President Hosni Mubarak with a momentous march on his palaces and state TV. AP / Amr Nabil
Egyptian anti-government protesters celebrate at Cairo's Tahrir square on February 11, 2011 after president Hosni Mubarak stepped down. Cairo erupted with joyful dancing, singing and cries of triumph as Mubarak's 30-year rule came to an end following more than two weeks of mass protests.. AFP/ Getty Images / Patrick Baz
Egyptian anti-government protesters celebrate at Cairo's Tahrir Square on February 11, 2011 after president Hosni Mubarak stepped down. Cairo erupted with joyful dancing, singing and cries of triumph as Mubarak's 30-year rule came to an end following more than two weeks of mass protests. AFP/ Getty Images / Patrick Baz
Egyptians surrounding army vehicles celebrate the news of the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, who handed control of the country to the military, at night in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. AP / Ben Curtis
Egyptians celebrate the news of the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, who handed control of the country to the military, at night in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. AP / Ben Curtis
An Egyptian woman cries as she celebrates the news of the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, who handed control of the country to the military, at night in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. AP / Tara Todras-Whitehill
Egyptians celebrate the news of the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, who handed control of the country to the military, at night in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. AP / Ben Curtis
An Egyptian boy kisses a soldier as anti-government protesters celebrate outside the presidential palace in Cairo after President Hosni Mubarak stepped down on February 11, 2011. Cairo's streets exploded in joy when Mubarak stepped down after three-decades of autocratic rule and handed power to a junta of senior military commanders. AFP/ Getty Images / Mohammed Abed
An Egyptian anti-government demonstrator extends his hand to a soldier at Cairo's Tahrir Square after President Hosni Mubarak stepped down on February 11, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Marco Longari
Egyptian anti-government protesters celebrate outside the presidential palace in Cairo after President Hosni Mubarak stepped down on February 11, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Mohammed Abed
Egyptian anti-government protesters celebrate outside the presidential palace in Cairo after President Hosni Mubarak stepped down on February 11, 2011. AFP/ Getty Images / Mohammed Abed
Anti-government demonstrators celebrate upon hearing the news of the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on February 11, 2011 in Cairo, Egypt. Getty Images / John Moore
An Egyptian soldier places his national flag atop a tank outside the presidential palace in Cairo on February 11, 2011. Cairo's streets exploded in joy when President Hosni Mubarak stepped down after three-decades of autocratic rule and handed power to a junta of senior military commanders. AFP PHOTO/ PEDRO UGARTE (Photo credit should read PEDRO UGARTE/ AFP/ Getty Images) AFP/ Getty Images / Pedro Ugarte
Anti-government protesters fill Tahrir Square on February 11, 2011 in Cairo, Egypt. After 18 days of widespread protests, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who has now left Cairo for his home in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheik, announced that he would step down. Getty Images / John Moore
Protestors stand on a tank in front of the Egyptian television headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011, shortly before President Hosni Mubarak resigned as president and handed control to the military. AP / Ben Curtis
Anti-government protesters fill Tahrir Square on February 11, 2011 in Cairo, Egypt. After 18 days of widespread protests, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who has now left Cairo for his home in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheik, announced that he would step down. Getty Images / John Moore
Anti-government protesters fill Tahrir Square on February 11, 2011 in Cairo, Egypt. Demonstrators protested throughout Egypt a day after President Hosni Mubarak, who has now left Cairo for his home in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheik, transferred some powers to Vice President Omar Suleiman but announced that he would remain in office until elections in September. Getty Images / John Moore
Anti-government protesters fill Tahrir Square on February 11, 2011 in Cairo, Egypt. After 18 days of widespread protests, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who has now left Cairo for his home in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheik, announced that he would step down. Getty Images / John Moore
Egyptian Anti-government protesters and army officers make traditional Muslim Friday prayers at the continuing demonstration in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, Egypt, Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. AP / Khalil Hamra
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