The New York Times: Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the most devastating attack on American soil in modern times and the most hunted man in the world, was killed in a firefight with United States forces in Pakistan, President Obama announced on Sunday night... The news touched off an extraordinary outpouring of emotion as crowds gathered outside the White House, in Times Square and at the Ground Zero site, waving American flags, cheering, shouting, laughing and chanting, 'U.S.A., U.S.A.!' In New York City, crowds sang 'The Star-Spangled Banner.' Throughout downtown Washington, drivers honked horns deep into the night."

Said Obama in his remarks last night: “Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.”

More: “We will be relentless in defense of our citizens and our friends and allies. We will be true to the values that make us who we are. And on nights like this one, we can say to those families who have lost loved ones to al Qaeda’s terror: Justice has been done.”

A round-up of the nation’s headlines:

The New York Times: “Bin Laden killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan, Obama says, declaring justice has been done.”

The Washington Post: “U.S. forces kill Osama bin Laden; Obama: ‘Justice has been done’”

The Boston Globe: “Bin Laden dead.”

The L.A. Times: “U.S. kills bin Laden”

The New York Post: “Got him! Vengeance at last! US nails the bastard”

The New York Daily News: “Rot in hell!” (And there’s this: “Osama Bin Laden, Adolf Hitler both declared dead on May 1.”

The Guardian: “Osama bin Laden killed in US raid on Pakistan hideout”

The (London) Times: “Bin Laden killed by US special forces”

Der Spiegel: “US Forces Kill Osama bin Laden”

The Jerusalem Post: “Hamas: bin Laden death ‘assassination’ of ‘a holy warrior’”

Al Jazeera: “Osama bin Laden killed in Pakistan.”

Arab News (of Saudi Arabia): “Osama Bin Laden killed in raid.”

On “TODAY,” former Bush Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld took partial credit for bin Laden being killed, saying, “The key is the Bush administration and the Obama administration has put pressure on the terrorists…. That’s what led to the information being gotten. He also said it "very well could have been partly a result of the interviews that took place at Guantanamo Bay.”

The New York Post on the reactions by the families of the 9/11 victims: “For them, it's personal. The entire world rejoiced, but for those who lost mothers, sons, husbands, siblings, the amazing news of Osama bin Laden's death set off an emotional outpouring of a magnitude they hadn't felt since that dreadful day 10 years ago. There was utter elation that the evil leader of the feared terror cabal was finally gone -- but that was tempered with an aching sadness for those who were lost in the 2001 attack.”

Here’s AP video of the compound where bin Laden was found the morning after.

Turning to 2012, CNBC’s John Harwood writes in the New York Times that Democrats are bracing for a tough presidential race.

“Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.), who is expected to be formally elected as chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee on Wednesday, will no longer take money from political action committees for her personal campaign account after she takes her new position, according to a report by the nonpartisan Sunlight Foundation,” Roll Call reports. “Tuesday will be the final day she will accept PAC money for her campaign account, according to the report.”

“Congressional leaders from both parties cheered Osama bin Laden’s death Sunday, although most cautioned that the nation must not let up on its commitment to defeating terrorist forces,” Roll Call writes.

“A bipartisan group of six senators is closing in on what could represent the best chance for tackling a deficit crisis that has forced the government to borrow more than 40 cents of every dollar it spends,” the AP reports. “Their plan, still a work in progress, would reduce borrowing by up to $4 trillion over the next decade by putting the two parties’ sacred cows on the chopping block. Republicans would have to agree to higher taxes while Democrats would have to accept cuts in popular benefit programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and maybe even Social Security.”

Despite his catchy 2008 campaign ad touting his use of Twitter, the tech blog Gizmodo has named Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) the “ ‘Worst Twitter User in the United States of America’ for his many mishaps on the site,” Roll Call reports. “The post says Grassley’s tweets are ‘possibly among the most incoherent, confounding, mind-boggling text on the Internet.’”

“Freshman Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) was booed at a rowdy town-hall meeting Thursday as he attempted to make a case for House Republicans' budget plan for 2012,” The Hill writes of the Staten Island congressman. “‘You want to kill Grandma!’ shouted one of the 300 people in attendance as the congressman attempted to present Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-Wis.) plan to transform Medicare into a sort of voucher system in an attempt to balance the budget by 2040 without raising taxes. Voices also shouted ‘no, it doesn't’ to different points that Grimm attempted to make about the plan. ‘You don't like seniors,’ offered another agitated attendee.”

Here’s a First Read wrap of the statements from Republicans and 2012 candidates.

Said Romney: "This is a great victory for lovers of freedom and justice everywhere. Congratulations to our intelligence community, our military and the president. My thoughts are with the families of Osama bin Laden's many thousands of victims, and the brave servicemen and women who have laid down their lives in pursuit of this murderous terrorist."

Said Palwenty: "This is terrific news for freedom and justice. In the hours after the 9/11 attacks, President Bush promised that America would bring Osama bin Laden to justice — and we did. I want to congratulate America's armed forces and President Obama for a job well done."

Said Bachmann: "Tonight’s news does not bring back the lives of the thousands of innocent people who were killed that day by Osama bin Laden’s horrific plan, and it does not end the threat posed by terrorists, but it is my hope that this is the beginning of the end of Sharia-compliant terrorism.”

The L.A. Times also compiles potential candidates’ reactions to the death of Osama bin Laden, including Huckabee’s blunt statement, “Welcome to hell.”

This weekend’s NRA convention drew likely candidates Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Herman Cain, while Mitt Romney and Michele Bachmann sent recorded video messages to the gathering, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee also spoke, headlining Saturday night’s "Celebration of American Values Freedom Experience.”

“Knocked off-course by Donald Trump and talk of President Obama’s birth certificate, the 2012 Republican contenders are trying to refocus the campaign on voter worries that are dragging down the president's popularity: rising gas prices and a slow economic recovery,” the L.A. Times writes.

“With the first debate of the 2012 election just four days away, Republicans have entered what could be thought of as Stage 1 in the cycle of presidential primaries: dissatisfaction,” the Sunday New York Times wrote yesterday. “Republicans, though, can take solace in the fact that, like the famous cycle of grief, the nomination process almost always starts this way, with kvetching.”

BACHMANN: Michele Bachmann announced on Fox News Sunday that she would NOT be participating in Thursday’s presidential debate in South Carolina, National Journal notes.

DANIELS: Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels told Reuters on Saturday that he’s still undecided over whether to run for president.

Roll Call profiles Daniels. “Legend has it that when a famously frugal Mitch Daniels worked as an aide on Capitol Hill 30 years ago, he once fished quarters out of the Tune Inn toilet to save money for his beer. Even though Daniels has lived most of the past two decades in Indiana, the Republican governor spent many of his formative political years in the 1970s and ’80s in Congressional politics on Capitol Hill.”

GINGRICH: Per NBC’s Lauren Selsky, Newt Gingrich said this about Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents Dinner: "I think it's great that the Donald is here. This is a wonderful country where everybody gets to take a shot. He has every right to see what he can do. We'll see whether it becomes a serious candidacy. But you have to admit he added a certain excitement to the evening, and I think it's good for the White House Correspondents and it's good for the American people."

On Newt’s 2012 decision/timing: "I think within a week or two we'll have a very positive message."

HUNTSMAN: “As of yesterday, former governor of Utah and now former ambassador of China, Jon Huntsman is officially done with his duties and is expected to run for president. Although Huntsman is temporarily not a household name, he is potentially Gov. Mitt Romney’s worst nightmare in the GOP presidential primary,” the Boston Herald writes.

PAWLENTY: Speaking at the Americans for Prosperity summit on Friday, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty said “that the overwhelming message he hears from employers is ‘get the government off my back.’ He said they mainly object to burdensome taxes and regulations,” the AP reports.

Pawlenty will be back in Iowa on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Des Moines Register notes.

ROMNEY: Mitt Romney hired Sara Craig, his 2008 central Iowa field director, to lead his state campaign, Politico reports.

RUBIO: On Meet the Press, Sen. Marco Rubio said he wouldn’t be on the 2012 ticket under any circumstances, Politico notes. “‘I don’t want to be the vice president of the United States,’ Rubio said. ‘I want to be a senator, and I want to be a senator from Florida. I think in the United States Senate I can have an impact on these major issues that we’re facing.’”

TRUMP: In an interview, Donald Trump told the Las Vegas Review-Journal what he wanted voters to think of when they thought about him: “Success and victory, for the country, not for me, for the country. I'm going to put all of my abilities, if I decide to run, into the country, not into myself anymore. And I'll do a great job,” he said.

IOWA: “GOProud will kick off its efforts for the 2012 cycle at the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa in August. The conservative, pro-gay rights group plans to have a large presence at the event that traditionally starts the presidential campaign season in the Hawkeye State,” Roll Call reports.

NEVADA: “Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) said Friday that he plans to call a September 13 special election to fill the seat Rep. Dean Heller is vacating to join the Senate,” Roll Call writes.

“Nevada Republican Sharron Angle warned supporters in a fundraising email Friday that while she wants Rep. Dean Heller's (R-Nev.) soon-to-be-vacant House seat, ‘the left wing of the Republican Party wants it more,’” The Hill reports.

As we wrote earlier tonight, the news of Osama Bin Laden's death -- and its implications for President Barack Obama's legacy and his re-election race -- is almost certain to change the contours of the 2012 race.

Here's some responses from potential 2012 GOP contenders to the news that the al-Qaeda leader has been killed in a U.S.-led operation in Pakistan.

Facebook post from former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: "This is a great victory for lovers of freedom and justice everywhere. Congratulations to our intelligence community, our military and the president. My thoughts are with the families of Osama bin Laden's many thousands of victims, and the brave servicemen and women who have laid down their lives in pursuit of this murderous terrorist."

Written statement from former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty: "This is terrific news for freedom and justice. In the hours after the 9/11 attacks, President Bush promised that America would bring Osama bin Laden to justice — and we did. I want to congratulate America's armed forces and President Obama for a job well done. Let history show that the perseverance of the US military and the American people never wavered. America will never shrink from the fight and ultimately those who seek to harm us face only defeat. Today, justice is done, but the fight against radical Islamic terrorism is not yet over."

Tweet from former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin: "Thank you, American men and women in uniform. You are America's finest and we are all so proud. Thank you for fighting against terrorism.

Written statement from former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: "It is unusual to celebrate a death, but today Americans and decent people the world over cheer the news that madman, murderer and terrorist Osama Bin Laden is dead. The leader of Al Qaeda--- responsible for the deaths of 3000 innocent citizens on September 11, 2001, and whose maniacal hate is responsible for the deaths of thousands of US servicemen and women was killed by U.S. military. President Obama confirmed the announcement late last night. DNA tests confirmed his death and his body is in the possession of the U. S.  It has taken a long time for this monster to be brought to justice. Welcome to hell, bin Laden. Let us all hope that his demise will serve notice to Islamic radicals the world over that the United States will be relentless is tracking down and terminating those who would inflict terror, mayhem and death on any of our citizens."

Written statement from Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann: "I want to express my deepest gratitude to the men and women of the U.S. military and intelligence community. Their persistence and dedicated service has yielded success in a mission that has gripped our nation since the terrible events of 9/11. Tonight’s news does not bring back the lives of the thousands of innocent people who were killed that day by Osama bin Laden’s horrific plan, and it does not end the threat posed by terrorists, but it is my hope that this is the beginning of the end of Sharia-compliant terrorism.”

Written statement from former Sen. Rick Santorum: "This is extraordinary news for all freedom loving people of the world, and I commend all those involved for this historic triumph.  Americans have waited nearly ten years for the news of Osama bin Laden's death.  And while this is a very significant objective that cannot be minimized, the threat from Jihadism does not die with bin Laden. As we were vigilant in taking him out we need to demonstrate we will continue to be vigilant until the enemy has been subdued."

President Obama announced that Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, has been killed in a U.S.-led operation in Pakistan.

To the families of those who lost loved ones on 9/11, Obama said, "Justice has been done."

President Obama said the United States received a tip in August of last year that bin Laden was hiding out in a compound in Pakistan. The U.S. began working that tip, and last week President Obama said he determined there was enough intelligence to "bring him to justice."

"At my direction," Obama said, U.S. special operations forces launched an attack on a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, a town about 70 miles north of Islamabad. After a firefight, the U.S. "took custody of his body." NBC's Jim Miklaszewski reports that bin Laden was shot at least once in the head.

Former President George W. Bush released the following statement:

"Earlier this evening, President Obama called to inform me that American forces killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of the al Qaeda network that attacked America on September 11, 2001. I congratulated him and the men and women of our military and intelligence communities who devoted their lives to this mission. They have our everlasting gratitude. This momentous achievement marks a victory for America, for people who seek peace around the world, and for all those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The fight against terror goes on, but tonight America has sent an unmistakable message: No matter how long it takes, justice will be done."

President Obama said he told CIA Director Leon Panetta when he first became president that killing bin Laden was to be the U.S.'s top priority in the fight against al Qaeda.

The president called the killing of bin Laden the "most significant acheivement" in the fight against al Qaeda, but stressed that it is not the end of that fight.

He also stressed, however, "We must also reaffirm, we are not and never will be at war with Islam. ... His demise should be welcomed by all who welcome peace and human dignity."

The president also noted that cooperation with Pakistan helped lead to bin Laden.

If you follow American politics, you know it can change in a blink of an eye.

In the last few weeks, as gasoline prices have continued to climb in the United States, President Obama has seen his poll numbers decline, suggesting a potential vulnerability in 2012.

But the news that Osama bin Laden has been killed -- on Obama's watch -- is most definitely a political game-changer and appears destined to impact the contours of the 2012 presidential race, as well as the emerging Republican field. Of course, the size of the impact is yet unknown and will be played out in the months ahead, especially with U.S. unemployment near 9%. The 2012 general election, after all, is more than 550 days away.

As NBC's Chuck Todd also mentioned, it could have an impact on the U.S. involvement in Afghanistan-Pakistan. Does it make the U.S. re-evaluate the mission there? Does it affect the troop draw-down that's scheduled to begin this summer?

NBC's David Gregory reports that President Obama will announce tonight that Osama bin Laden has been killed.

*** UPDATE *** This is the result of a U.S. action in Pakistan, killed by U.S. personnel, and that the United States has bin Laden's body. NBC's Savannah Guthrie reports, it was not a drone strike that killed bin Laden, it was "recent" Special Ops operation in Pakistan. 

*** UPDATE 2 *** This is, by the way, the eighth anniversary of President Bush's 2003 speech on an aircraft carrier with the banner, "Mission Accomplished" behind him.

*** UPDATE 3 *** NBC's Shawna Thomas reports: CIA Director Leon Panetta called ranking Member of the Intel Committee Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD). Chairman of the House Intel Commitee, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-CA) is on a red-eye flight back to DC.

*** UPDATE 4 *** NBC's Mike Viqueira reports that the president called House Speaker Boehner personally to inform him. NBC's Kelly O'Donnell reports that Boehner says he will hold all comment until after the president speaks.

*** UPDATE 5 *** NBC's Athena Jones reports that a crowd has begun to gather in front of the White House. There are about 50 people out there and it seems to be growing. They're shouting and rejoicing and just finished singing the Star Spangled Banner. They erupted in applause afterwards. They're now chanting U-S-A. They had begun to sing, "We Are the Champions" and more people were running up. There is at least one police car parked next to the group.

*** UPDATE 6 *** WNBC's Jonathan Dienst reports that the New York Police Department will be ramping up security measures across the city as a precaution given the news Bin Laden has been killed, according to Paul Browne, an NYPD spokesman.