New York City - Nearly 10 years after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the hunt for terror mastermind and al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden came to a close, when a team of CIA-led Navy SEALs stormed an Abbottabad, Pakistan compound and killed the worlds most wanted man.

President Obama took to the airwaves shortly before 12 midnight on Sunday night, to make the announcement that the top-secret mission, which he was first notified of in August 2010, had led to the death of bin Laden. Hours later, bin Laden's body was buried at sea. Familial DNA confirmed his identity before the announcement was made.

"For over two decades, bin Laden has been al-Qaeda 's leader and symbol," said Obama, "The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat Al Qaeda."

According to multiple sources, four U.S. helicopters airdropped a team of 40 Navy SEAL's, known as Navy SEAL's Team Six, into bin Laden's compound in the middle of the night. One of the helicopters suffered a "hard landing" and had to be destroyed on the site. The raid took approximately 40 minutes, and though bin Laden and his associates resisted, no U.S. military personnel were lost in the firefight.

The 3,000 square foot compound in which bin Laden was living was specially built to hide him and featured 12 to 18 foot walls covered with barbed wire. Contrary to popular belief, bin Laden was not hiding in a cave, but living in opulence, and in plain sight. Also killed was bin Laden's son, two couriers, and a woman who was used as a human shield.

After the President's address, thousands of Americans gathered outside the White House, at Ground Zero, and at Time Square, cheering and raising American flags, in response to the news that bin Laden was dead.

The U.S. State Department last night issued an alert to Americans worldwide, against "the enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counter terrorism activity in Pakistan." Security has been increased at airports around the country, the World Trade Center, and the bridges and tunnels, as worries of retaliation increase.

Financial markets worldwide have spiked this morning in response to the news of bin Laden's death, however officials are urging citizens to remain vigilant, as al-Qaeda 's leader is dead, but al-Qaeda is not.

Coincidentally, the news of bin Laden's death came 66 years to the day, as news of Adolf Hitler's death, which was reported on May 1, 1945.

Congressman Tim Bishop issued the following statement in response to the news of bin Laden's capture:

"The death of Osama Bin Laden is an important victory in the war on terror and a triumph for justice. It proves that terrorists will find no safe haven, even in the remotest corners of the globe. The highly skilled and dedicated men and women of America's armed forces and intelligence community deserve our special thanks for the outcome of this bold and successful mission, and they have once again earned our continuing gratitude for their valor and service.

"Nearly 10 years after the attacks of September 11th, 2001, the leader of al-Qaeda is dead, and the mastermind of the attacks faces trial for his crimes. As we mark this momentous day, I hope all Americans will take a moment to remember the lives lost as a result of Osama bin Laden's evil, including the thousands of U.S. troops and those of our other allies who lost their own lives in the struggle to bring him to justice."