Gary Dobson and David Norris have been found guilty of the murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence in 1993.
Both men had denied heir involvement in the killing, but there has been immediate reaction from friends, the police, politicians and commentators welcoming the verdict.
DOREEN LAWRENCE, Stephen's mother:
"This has been a very difficult time for me and i'd like to thank all those people that have expressed support for me and my family over the last 18 years.
"I would also like to thank the jury for their verdicts today. However despite these verdicts today is not a cause for celebration. How can I celebrate when my son lies buried.
"When I can not see him or speak to him, when I will not see him grow up and go to university or get married or have children this verdict will bring will not bring my son back.
"How can I celebrate when I know that this day could have come 18 years ago if the police, who were meant to find my son's, killers felt so miserable to do so. These are not a reason to celebrate
"All I now feel is relief relief that two of my son's killers have finally been caught and brought to justice.
"Relief these racist men can no longer think they can murder a black man and get away with it. Relief that despite the defence ... the jury saw through it. I feel relief that to some extent I can move forward with my life.
She added: "Mixed with relief is anger, me and my family were put though 18 years pf grief and uncertainty not knowing if or when we would get justice.
"Had the police done their job properly I would have spent the past 18 yeast grieving for my son rather than fighting to get my son's killers to caught.
"The fact is that racism and racist attacks are still happening in this country and the police should not use my son's name to say that we can move on ."
Statement read on behalf of NEVILLE LAWRENCE:
"My life was torn apart by the senseless murder of my son over 18 years ago, unfortunately no one was brought before a court at that time as they should have been.
"I am therefore full of joy and relief that today finally two of my son's killers have been convicted for his murder. They will be sent to prison and forced to face the consequences of their actions, consequences which my family and I have been living with for all these years."
PAUL ANDERSON-WALSH, chief of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust:
"Throughout the 18-year ordeal, the Lawrence family's desire has been the pursuit of justice - today, justice was served. As one door closes, they are determined to make sure that other doors open."
"Stephen Lawrence's murder leaves in its wake a changed criminal justice landscape, but it is a change in the social justice topography that the Lawrence family hopes will be Stephen Lawrence's lasting legacy.
"The greatest desire of the Lawrence family is to give to others what was so cruelly snatched from Stephen - a chance to fulfil their potential in life.
"Through the Trust that bears his name, Doreen Lawrence and those who work for and with the Trust are helping to grow a fairer society by watering the seeds of ambition, one 'Stephen' at a time.
"Whilst Stephen's death has become a metaphor for individual and institutional racism, Stephen's mother, the inspirational Doreen Lawrence OBE is a metaphor for the very best of British values: dignity, courage and sheer tenacity."
DUWAYNE BROOKS (Who was with Lawrence as he was attacked):
CRESSIDA DICK, acting Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner:
"It's a matter of huge regret to the Met that it has taken 18 years to get to this point.
"Every homicide case is incredibly important and we seek to bring the killers to justice. This case, which as you know has taken 18 years to get to this stage, is a unique case, not just for the Met but I think in modern policing.
"Firstly because of the horrible, horrible nature of the racist attack, secondly because it's taken so long to come to court in this way and thirdly because of the public inquiry and the very wide-ranging recommendations that came out of that which have transformed policing.
"We were criticised for the way in which the Met investigated in 1993, we've transformed the way we do investigate homicide and I like to think that where we are now exemplifies how we've changed in terms of the way we investigate."
Bevan Powell, chairman of the Metropolitan Black Police Association:
"The Lawrences' persistence brought about a social consciousness which questioned and challenged the then existing inadequacies and failures inherent within the police and wider justice system to deliver fairness in cases which involved race and minority communities."
Michael Mansfield QC, who represented Mr Lawrence's parents at his inquest:
""It is a component in changing the public perception of these cases. This is just another milestone for the family in a very long journey.
"It is a real tribute to the family that they have fought so long to bring about change.""
Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre, who caused controversy when his paper labeled the pair 'Murderers' on its front page in 1997:
"This is a glorious day for Neville and Doreen Lawrence who after all the betrayals, injustice and tears have finally, after nearly two decades, secured justice for Stephen.
It's a glorious day for the police, who - after the utter disgrace that was the original investigation - have through sheer bloody perseverance and brilliant detective work wiped out this blot on the Yard's history and shown that British policing at its best is still something to be proud of.
It's a glorious day for British justice which shows that, while mistakes can be made, our judicial system does provide redress for every member of British society whatever their racial background.
It's a glorious day for the politicians - particularly Jack Straw and David Blunkett - who, responding to the Mail's campaign, commissioned the MacPherson Inquiry and reformed the centuries-old double jeopardy law - thus allowing the trial of two of the original suspects after a criminal action, a private prosecution and an inquest had failed to secure justice for Stephen.
And finally, it's a glorious day for British newspapers, proving that the power of journalism, courageous headlines and relentless campaigning can act as a huge force for good in society and make a major difference to countless lives.
Quite simply, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that if it hadn't been for the Mail's headline in 1997 - "Murderers: The Mail accuses these men of killing" - and our years of campaigning, none of this would have happened."
Peter Bottomley, Conservative MP for Worthing West (previously the MP for Eltham, where Lawrence was murdered):
"Few can say that the colour of our skin is more important than the colour of our eyes."
Ed Miliband, Labour leader:
Ed Miliband MP, Labour's Leader of the Opposition, commenting on the conviction of Gary Dobson and David Norris for the murder of Stephen Lawrence, said:
“I hope today's verdict will help bring closure for the Lawrence family, whose courage and dignity in fighting for justice for their son has touched the nation's heart and inspired millions.
“The murder of Stephen Lawrence was not only a tragedy for a talented young man and his family, it was a wake up call to all of us who believe Britain is - and always must be - a country where everyone is shown respect irrespective of race, culture or faith.
“I am proud that 18 years on from Stephen’s murder, Britain is a much more tolerant and open country. We have new laws to prevent the stirring of racial hatred, while following the Macpherson Report, reforms were made to ensure that our public institutions are better representative and responsive to all the people.
“But we must never allow ourselves to become complacent about the threat of racism.
“And we must continue to confront it, in all its forms.”
Chucka Ummuna, Labour MP for Streatham:
"It's a huge relief that we have got a verdict today and after so many years some justice for the family," he said.
"We can never be compliance about these things. We should never be complacent about making sure we rid our country of hatred.
"One of the brilliant lasting legacies the family have set up is the Stephen Lawrence memorial trust."
Jack Straw, former Labour home secretary
"I am delighted for the Lawrence family, who have been fighting for justice for so long. Establishing the inquiry was one of the best things I ever did while I was Home Secretary."
Diane Abbott, Labour MP for Hackey North:
BORIS JOHNSON, Mayor of London:
Ken Livingstone, former London Mayor and Labour candidate for the 2012 mayoral election"
“It is extremely moving that the Lawrence family has finally secured a measure of justice. This has been a momentous and long-overdue verdict.
"At the heart of this is the case of a young man killed because he was black. Our thoughts today should be first and foremost with Stephen’s family.
"At the heart of this is the case of a young man killed because he was black. Our thoughts today should be first and foremost with Stephen’s family.”
CLIVE EFFORD, Labour MP for Eltham, where the attack took place:
"We have all seen the publicity and the suggestion of who those people might be.
"It has always been suggested it was five, possibly six, suspects and if they have any other evidence that will allow further prosecutions in the future I hope we will see those because justice must be done in this case.
"We are part of the way there today and there are others that were involved that must face justice as well."
He added: "The new technology and science that is available to us means that convictions like this are possible.
"That was the reason double jeopardy was introduced, because the technology was allowing us to go back and review some previous court decisions and in the case of murder it was decided that we should be allowed to use that new science."