Defining Moments in History

Upon hearing the news of Frederick Muhlenberg’s successful election, a German-language Philadelphia newspaper proclaimed that “the blood of the grandchildren of our grandchildren will proudly well up in their hearts when they read in the histories of America that the first Speaker of the House…was a German, born of German parents in Pennsylvania.”

This was the sentiment in 1789 when it became known that Frederick Muhlenberg would serve as the first Speaker of the House. One can certainly imagine similar feelings being shared by millions of people throughout the world, as Barack Obama is sworn in Tuesday, January 20, 2009, as the first African American President of the United States. Almost 2 million people braved freezing temperatures to bear witness to what President Obama has described as our “defining moment,” when the past, present and future of our nation, of our culture, of our conscience, merge and crystallize – a milestone of history achieved as President Obama was sworn in as our 44th president.

On April 30th, 1789, George Washington was inaugurated as first President of the United States of America, in the open gallery of the old City Hall (afterward called Federal Hall). The oath of office was administered by Robert R. Livingston, Chancellor of the State of New York and New York’s highest ranking judge (there was no Supreme Court yet.) Speaker of the House Frederick Muhlenberg stood by Washington as he was sworn in. Washington then delivered his speech, in which he movingly paid tribute to the forces – known and unknown — that had made the moment possible:

Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency, and in the important revolution just accomplished in the system of this united government, the tranquil deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities, from which the event has resulted, cannot be compared with the means by which most governments have been established, without some return of pious gratitude, along with a humble anticipation of the future blessings which the past seem to presage.

Two hundred and twenty years later, as Mr. Obama takes his oath of office, it too will be an event that “cannot be compared with the means by which most governments have been established.” Mr. Obama began his victory speech on November 4, 2008, “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our Founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.” I have a feeling that if compatriots Muhlenberg and Washington were here today, they would see the dream – the dream they helped start, the dream which has brought together so many “distinct communities” to our defining moment — as alive and well.

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