This is an expansion of a comment I made in regards to George Carlin's passing this summer. There it served only as a segue to an embedded video. Here, hopefully, it's a little more profound.
In 2009 things will change forever. We will see things we have never seen before. It's a fact. Nothing will ever change that.
In 2009 we will see the first African-American sworn in as President of the United States. No one has ever seen that. Precious few have even dreamed it would happen this decade prior to Obama's candidacy.
In 2009 we will see a Democratic Presidency for the first time this century.
In 2009 we will see a President who will not "shoot first and ask questions later."
In 2009 we will see Democrats with majorities they haven't seen in decades.
In 2009 I will see the President I voted for inaugurated. This is the first time in the history of the world that this has happened. The first time I voted, my candidate won but due to legal wrangling was not the candidate inaugurated.
In 2009 we will see adults in charge of our country.
In 2009 the Vikings will win their first Super Bowl (Hey, I can dream).
This is only a partial list. Obviously I can't think of all the firsts (or rarities) in 2009 that we will be part of.
Your task tonight, if you're not out celebrating, will be to help me complete my list. What else will we see in 2009 that we have never seen before? What else will we see that very few have seen before?