The ouster of Mubarek with relatively little violence is the culmination of a dream come true for young ex-patriots like Diana Ananial Misdary who was born in Egypt but educated here in the U.S.
It's the jubilation of success, is really what that joy is," says Diana Ananial Misdary.
She knows the road ahead will not be easy if indeed this ancient country is headed for a true democracy after thousands of years of autocratic rule.
"But that would be the true test, are they ready for democracy? Which I do believe they are, and are they ready to be able to compromise in the way a democracy demands that people work together," explains Misdary.
For an older generation of ex-patriots, this is a remarkable moment.
Temple professor Dr. Magid Abou-Gharbia says hats off to the Egyptians who engineered this moment.
"This young generation has been there suffering for many years, and this is actually their dream come true now for democracy," said Dr. Magid Abou-Gharbia.
He has great faith in the Egyptian army to keep things on an even keel in the perilous days of reform ahead.
He believes any new government will be secular and willing to maintain friendly relations with the western world.
"I am very convinced that people will see a new dawn for Egypt and democracy, and without any extremists," said Dr. Abou-Gharbia.
For university student Muhammad Abouelela, there is cautious optimism. He says his homeland has to answer the problems of illiteracy and a bad economy.
"I'm just worried about the country. What's next? Because our economy is suffering tremendously right now," said Muhammad Abouelela. "I'm really like how our people got together, but the question is, are they really going to be able to take us to the next level?"
80 million Egyptians are now looking at the first moments of a new day and its many challenges.
