Last evening I called home around 10:30 pm. My 13-year old son, Jordan, answered the phone. I quickly asked “what are you doing still awake on a school night?” “I am too excited to sleep,” he responded.

“Why,” I asked.

“We are going to the speech tomorrow,” he proudly explained.

More than anything I am proud my children will witness history first hand and be able to tell their children they were there for this special moment. As a parent you never know if your enthusiasm and sense of passion will be matched by your children.

Jordan confirmed that indeed this moment is as important and exciting to young people as it is to us adults. I am sure I will be emotional as I watch their reaction to Senator Obama speak about his dreams. His presence and historic accomplishment means so much more to my children, me and so many others than words can explain. It means that America is taking another bold step toward realizing the dream of our forefathers “one nation under God.” Furthermore, tonight will epitomize what our parents always told us, “You can be whatever you want if you are willing to work hard and dream.”

Coincidentally, I consider this historic moment to be comparable to the event that occurred 45 years to the date, the historic March on Washington where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his memorable “I have a Dream Speech.” On that day over 250,000 people showed up to march for equality and fairness. I love to hear eye witness accounts of that day which usually concludes with “I will never forget that day” and “I am glad I was able to be there.” Well tonight, America will receive dividends from that moment.

Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Independent, Libertarian, or Green Party member, this moment should be special to all Americans. Like those who will were there in 1963, when asked decades from now where I was when Barack Obama made history when he accepted his party’s nomination? I want to be able to say, “Proudly sitting there, not necessarily as a Democrat, but as an American.” Judging from the dozens of calls I received from all over the nation from every political persuasion looking for tickets to tonight’s event, it is clear that I am not the only one who views this moment as something worth experiencing.

Michael B. Hancock, a Democrat, represents District 11 on the Denver City Council.