Whatever the late hour election results show, or the morning pundits say, or, if it would wind up being so close that the courts will need to decide a winner, this presidential election has been historic.

All of the commentators have been saying that since the day John McCain chose Sarah Palin as his running rate. Whoever wins, Barak Obama/Joe Biden or McCain/Palin, we will have a “first” leading our nation. Either our first African-American President or our first female Vice President.

For that, the United States can be proud. One way or another, we are breaking what has evidently been a barrier in the past.

We can also be proud that our citizens have shown up in record numbers to make their voices heard. Our nation has evidently seen that the freedom and right to vote for our nation’s leaders is a valuable privilege. For that we are thankful.