Rarely do we get to witness history. It’s even more extraordinary to be able to watch the news knowing that the way the world works will be forever altered. In our lifetime only two events of such magnitude have transpired: the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Sept. 11. Today marks a third.

At noon today Chief Justice John Roberts, Jr. will swear in Barack Obama as the forty-fourth President of the United States. For the first time, we’ll have a minority in the White House.

Great men have led our government, men of unimpeachable character and astonishing brilliance. For all their achievements though, these men have all shared one important defect: their homogeneity has failed to reflect our country’s rich tradition of inclusiveness and diversity.

From the earliest of days, we tell children that they can grow up to be President. As they grow older, they quickly learn that this isn’t quite true; for generations of men and women, its been a struggle to even be able to vote let alone be serious contenders for our nation’s highest office. Theirs was a battle that lasted well over a century. Fighting for the most basic of human dignities, from Gettysburg to Birmingham, they won the right of all people to coexist as one. People of all races marched and bled and sat to affirm that in this country we all are created equal. Today, their sacrifices are vindicated.

Barack Obama’s biography is the story of America. He was born to an African father and a white mother and raised by his grandmother. With high aspirations and self-discipline, he graduated from Columbia University. In 1990, he became the first Black President of Harvard’s Law Review. He served as a community organizer in Chicago and taught at the University of Chicago’s law school. Only four years ago he was elected a United States Senator, rising to national prominence after inspiring Americans to believe in “a politics of hope” not defined in terms of red and blue but of a truly united people. His presidential campaign continued that theme, turning dream into reality as millions of young Americans voted for the first time.

Over the next four years, we will find plenty of time to disagree with and criticize the new President. Today though, let’s stop and celebrate the historic victory not just of Barack Obama but of generations of patriots who dedicated their lives to the ongoing struggle for equality.

Today we stand as one and say to the world that in the land of the free your race will never again bar you from ascending to the top. The presidency will no longer be the sole province of the entitled few. We may not yet be that perfect union but we come closer every day. This afternoon we change history.

Remember where you are today at noon. Someday your children’s children will want to hear everything about the day Barack Obama became President.

Nathaniel French is a sophomore Theater Studies and Math double major. He can be reached for comment at [email protected].