Stocks tumbled on Wall Street Friday on the heels of the United Kingdom's historic decision to leave the European Union.

In an unprecedented move, voters in the U.K. voted early Friday to leave the European Union, sending shockwaves across world markets.

By the close Friday, the Dow fell 610 points, the NASDAQ was down 202, and the S&P 500 dropped 75.

The British Pound also fell to a 30-year low.

British Prime Minister David Cameron announced Friday that he will resign before the Conservative Party's conference in the fall.

Cameron had been pushing for the United Kingdom to remain with the 28-nation EU.

He said that was the best way to protect the U.K.'s security and economy.

But now he says the decision to leave means his country requires fresh leadership.

"I will do everything I can as prime minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months. But I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers our country to its next destination," Cameron said.

The campaign to leave the EU won with 52 percent of the vote.

Britain now becomes the first country that will leave the 28-member bloc.

The European Parliament plans to hold an emergency session on Tuesday to address the decision.

Supporters of the so-called "Brexit" said it was the only way for the UK to control immigration and restore power to its parliament.

One of the most prominent members of England's "leave faction" is former London mayor Boris Johnson.

He says while the EU is a noble idea, it is no longer a viable economic option for Britain.

He adds that the decision to leave does not make the United Kingdom "less European."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan says all Europeans should still feel welcome in his city.  

Meanwhile, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says it is likely Scotland will have another referendum on whether or not to leave the UK.

Scotland opted to stay in the UK back in 2014, but many believe staying in the European Union was a primary reason for that decision.

Markets around the world have plummeted in the wake of the vote.

Separating the UK from the European Union will involve the renegotiation of trade, business, and political links, and will likely take years to complete.

In a statement, President Barack Obama said the people of the United Kingdom have spoken and that they remain a strong ally.

He went on to say, "The United Kingdom and the European Union will remain indispensable partners of the United States even as they begin negotiating their ongoing relationship to ensure continued stability, security, and prosperity for Europe, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the world."

The impact on the U.S. economy is expected to be less direct, but U.S. companies basing their European operations in Britain could be affected.

Both the dollar and U.S. stocks could also be impacted by the turmoil in global financial markets.

The Federal Reserve had cited the impending "Brexit" vote as a reason to delay any further increase in U.S. interest rates.

Meanwhile, Britons here in the city are expressing mixed reactions to the news.

NY1 spoke with some expats at Myers of Keswick in the West Village.

Peter Meyers, the owner of the traditional British food shop, said he is worried about the possible repercussions.

"I'm still somewhat in a state of shock and now I do. I worry for the future generation. The long term prospects for the U.K. are tenuous," he added.

"We have too much immigration. That was my main reason for voting out. It's being drained by everybody coming in. And draining our resources. We're working hard paying taxes. And it's all going in the wrong direction," said a customer visiting from Great Britain.

The political course now shifts to finding Prime Minister David Cameron's replacement.