However you perceive the now upon us presidency of Donald Trump, his inauguration today stands as a historic moment. In my 38 years I have observed a few historic happenings…below are some of those occasions.

1985 – San Francisco 49ers defeat the Miami Dolphins in the Super Bowl. (The first Super Bowl I have in my memories. Maybe this isn’t so historic…)

1986 – The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster…I was in 2nd grade and I remember the somber tone of our nation as 7 crew members died in the explosion. I remember watching this on television and  it being my first experience with tragedy.

1989 – Berlin Wall torn down…I was in 5th grade and had very little understanding of the gravity of Ronald Reagan’s “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”. However, I recall the sheer joy of those on television as the wall was destroyed. It was a beautiful picture of struggle, long-suffering and the beauty of freedom.

1989 – The United States invades Panama to depose dictator Manuel Noriega…In the grand scope of history, this is a blip, but I remember waking up and seeing U.S. soldiers moving through the streets in Panama. It was my first image of war in my lifetime. 

1990-1991 – The Gulf War…I remember sitting with my mom watching the news and the images of the U.S. invasion. This war still resonates in our nation today.

1991 – Grunge music takes center stage thanks to Nirvana revitalizing flannel, boots and ripped jeans…but I didn’t really get it…I was too busy listening to Boys 2 Men and listening to Gangsta Rap…I mean D.C. Talk.

(**I will fast forward to move things along)

2001 – September 11…is there anymore that I need to say? If you were alive, you remember where you were and what you felt. Our nation will never be the same.

2009 – President Barak Obama’s inauguration…regardless of his politics, we should all be proud that our nation has progressed from the dregs of racial injustice to the degree that the first African American was elected President.

Maybe we will look back on today as a momentous happening in our history. Maybe President Donald Trump will do an incredible job. I would encourage everyone to live in your hopes today instead of your fears.

Oh, and I forgot one more historic moment…

January 4, 1999 – The Tennessee Volunteers win the college football National Championship. I may never see it again…but oh how I cherish that night. Go Vols!