Today, Tuesday, January 20th, Barack Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States of America. It cannot be ignored that the President-elect accomplished what Americans thought to be unattainable in their lifetime. The implications of this election has had a resounding effect not only on our nation, but also on people worldwide.

Obama’s inaugural address is one that, regardless of its content, many expect will go down in history because Obama will be the first African-American to give one. On this day, the world will witness history taking place–an event that students will learn about hundreds of years from now.

“If you think about the journey that this country has made, then it can’t help but stir your heart,” Obama told CNN’s John King during an interview last Friday. “The notion that I now will be standing there and sworn in as the 44th President, I think is something that hopefully our children take for granted. But our grandparents, I think, are still stunned by it, and it’s a remarkable moment.”

From the moment he takes oath, Obama will face the challenge of one of the most important jobs in the world. He will be expected to guide this nation to better economic stability, to greater focus on environmental issues, and to peace — daunting tasks.

But in his symbolic train ride to Washington, D.C., retracing the route Lincoln once took, in his presence on the Capitol steps and in his swearing in, he will already have accomplished what some believed to be an insurmountable challenge. The world’s eyes will be upon that swearing in on the Capitol steps. We will all be able to say we remember where we were at this historic moment.