Mr. Obama spoke for nearly an hour. When he finished the crowd was on its feet, some on chairs, and they immediately started shouting "Yes we can!"

After the candidate left, the crowd milled around outside, talking in clusters.

Colbert Dianne, a self -described senior citizen from Stanton Heights, said "I was just energized and terribly emotional. I can't believe I lived to see the day that we have a legitimate candidate of the African-American race."

Alison Masey, 18, a Pitt student, said "It gave me chills. He cracked jokes and seemed like a normal person. He seemed like he was saying these things because he means them."

Adrienne Yoder, 18, a senior at Warwick High School in Lititz, Cambria County. "I forgot where I was I was so focused on what he was saying. It seemed like he was working for us."

At 11:35 a.m. Mr. Obama took the podium to the clamorous applause, whistles and chants of a crowd on its feet. He wasted no time quieting them down, saying "First of all, feel free to have a seat."

Mr. Obama began his speech on a light note: "There were children who were born when I announced [my candidancy] who are now walking."

The mood of the crowd was not unlike a gospel church congregation on Sunday -- supporters shouted "Yes!" and "Change!" in the quiet moments and when they agreed with something he'd said. His speech followed his campaign theme of change.

At 11:20 Barack Obama took the stage, accompanied by Sen. Bob Casey, whose planned endorsement of his fellow senator was announced this morning.

The crowd stood and cheered, chanting for several minutes, forcing Mr. Casey to say "Thank you very much" five times before they quieted down.

"Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and work for the next four weeks?" Mr. Casey asked the audience. the crowd chanted back, 'Yes we can."

Mr. Casey then made his endorsement: "I'm here today for one purpose, to endorse Barack Obama," he said. "This campaign is a chance for America to chart a new course, a new path -- a change of politics, of hope and of healing. I believe in my heart there is one person uniquely qualified to lead us in that direction and that is Barack Obama."

Mr. Casey then introduced Mr. Obama.

Metal detectors and bag searches at the entrance slow things down, but Obama supporters trickle in steadily and are corraled to the upstairs balcony. Those already seated start sporadic claps and chants of "Let's see change!"

The podium the Illinois senator will speak from is set up in front of a large inscription of Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Gettysburg Address. He'll be standing beneath the familiar words: "Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

As the hour for the speech approaches, the crowd begins to chant "Obama!"

People are now going into Soldiers & Sailors Military Museum and Memorial to hear Sen. Barack Obama, who is speaking at 11 a.m.

Supporters began lining up around 8 a.m., braving the cold to hear the Illinois senator seeking the Democratic presidential nomination.

By 9:30 this morning the line to get into Mr. Obama's first Pittsburgh rally stretched down the front steps of Soldiers & Sailors to the corner of Fifth and Bigelow and wrapped around the building all the way up to Ohara Sreet.

The sold-out rally had some supporters wandering past, asking for extra tickets.

The line was a mix of skin colors and ages but all cheered when the occasional car honked as it drove past. A group of approximately 16 Hillary Clinton supporters lined up across from Soldiers & Sailors outside the William Pitt Student Union with Hillary signs and banners. They cheered for honks as well.

People were selling T-shirts and campaign pins. Shivering line standers mostly stuck their rolled-up Obama posters under their arms.