Now Playing (While Celebrating) . . . .

. . . . John Williams' "American Journey." (*1) Next up: Dvorak's "New World Symphony."

At our house, we're celebrating. My glib earlier comments aside, right now (7:00 p.m. central time), I'm overwhelmed, and overjoyed, by today's events.

This is the 4th best day of my life. (The third best was November 4, 2008.)

As a historian, I explore what it means to be an "American," trying to figure out who and what we are. Today, as a citizen, I saw, and knew, and experienced the best of who we are. For me, a typical American -- someone who lives and dies by hope and optimism -- it doesn't get better than this. If there is a "god," then please, I hope she/he/it blesses President Obama. His family. The Bidens. All of us.

Let us embrace courage, hope, and optimism.

Let us be Americans.

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*1: I'm a total sap when it comes to John Williams. And Yo-Yo Ma. And Itzahk Perlman. I relished every note they played today. As I relished hearing Aretha's magnificent voice remind of us of who we are.