America will have its first African-American president come Jan. 20, but the history-maker will have little time to bask in his triumph. The challenges facing Barack Obama will require every bit of the organizational, persuasive and temperamental strengths that swept him to a decisive finish in an unprecedented marathon filled with firsts and fervor.

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Meanwhile, though, a nation that's becoming steadily more diverse can take pride in passing the ultimate milestone of opportunity, while black Americans celebrate a breakthrough perhaps only they can ever fully appreciate.

Lasting nearly two years, shattering records in spending and apparently in voter turnout, the quest for America's 44th president featured a stunning comeback by a war hero who'd been written off politically, a show-stealing debut by the first female Republican vice-presidential candidate and a losing effort by the highest female vote-getter ever in a primary election. The 47-year-old son of a Kenyan national and a Kansan single mother defeated Hillary Clinton and John McCain/Sarah Palin through a combination of his own formidable resources and a perfect storm of circumstance.

After outlasting Clinton in a prolonged, sometimes bitter primary, Obama was in a tight battle with McCain until the ailing economy metastasized in the form of the Wall Street debacle. Linking McCain to a Republican president burdened with an abysmal approval rating, the Obama campaign was able to extend its appeal beyond Democratic strongholds with a message of change on pocketbook issues.

Meanwhile, the best-financed, perhaps best-organized and undoubtedly largest army ever to wage a presidential campaign mobilized young and minority voters in proportions Democrats had only dreamed of previously. Exploiting the Internet, cell phones and other cutting-edge methods to reach thousands of small and middling donors and to enlist thousands of volunteers, the Obama juggernaut modeled the presidential campaign of the future.

Having chosen an ideal year to run against the GOP, Obama will enjoy the backing of a Democratic Congress as he takes the helm of a nation wracked by economic meltdown, mountainous federal debt and two wars. Whether his soaring rhetoric about healing that nation translates to reality may depend on the advisers he finds to augment his limited experience, and on the fiscal restraint he and his fellow liberals can somehow manage. But there is no doubting the calm competence and inspirational power of the improbable president-elect, nor the immeasurable significance of this latest peaceful changing of the guard in America.

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