Where were you when it happened???

Just saw this on CNN.

http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2010/cnn.30.irpt/?hpt=C2

Where were you when the news broke? 30 events that wrote history in the last 30 years.. So more or less in my lifetime.. (cant believe Im so close to turning thirty.. jeeses)..

The only thing I remember exactly where I was when it happened, is the election of Barack Obama.. I was THERE! In the centre of the big apple, the Rockefeller Center, watching it all unfold..

On the big night, 4th of November 2008, I was walking towards the subway when I saw Giovanni passing by. He was an intern for the Australian Embassy. I was going home to watch everything on TV and he was heading for the Rockefeller Center, to feel the heat of the elections. Without hesitation I went with him. And I am so glad I did.

A temporary election plaza was set up in front of the center. The skyscraper, lighted in two colors,half red and half blue, became a measurement tool for the countdown. Red for the republicans and blue for the democrats. The ice-skating ring was covered with a map of the U.S that got colored as the voting proceeded, according to the preferences of each state. Huge screens were placed in every appropriate spot of the center. The 1500 people present, were hiding behind an army of U.S flags, that were used to foment patriotic feelings.

The crowds of people who were standing there, anxiously waiting for the countdown to begin, were clearly voting for change. In a liberal city like New York, Republicans are a minority and the huge banners, t-shirts and flags of Barack Obama gave a creal message. NBC newsagency had cameras all around and I could see reporters speaking to the camera, "reporting life from Rockefelle Center". I could not believe I was so lucky to be there.

The couple of hours that followed were full of agony. The indicators on the building were going up and down as the results were being revealed. The crowd was cheering and booing. There was such tension, such emotion in the atmosphere. You could almost smell the fear of defeat, the hope and craving for change.

When it became clear that change had been achieved, a pandemonium of celebrations took over. People were weeping with joy, praising the results and cheering for the man who made everything seem possible. His panegyric speech was accepted with silent sendiment.

I was hugging Giovanni, whom I barely knew, screaming and jumping with feelings of euphoria. These might not have been my country's elections, but as a global citizen, I could feel their importance for the world.

Almost two years later, Obama has, inevitably, lost popularity among many american citizens. The healthcare reform, tax policies and foreign relations strategy have been met with disparaging remarks.

Only time will reveal the righteousness of his acts. But the echoes of hope from the night of the elections remain still.