Yesterday's historic events in America sent shockwaves across the world, and like many cities, they were felt in Oxford.

It is true that this US election has been a watershed in world politics.

Barack Obama hasn’t even been inaugurated yet, let alone pass a Bill, but already he has been feted as the saviour of the world.

Hold on, let us reserve judgement on his achievements in the years to come.

What is more fascinating to note, and be encouraged by, is how the American people have been re-energised by this race to the White House.

Here in Oxford, professor Marion Smith, a 79-year-old ex pat, told how he could never imagine anything other than a white man becoming president.

And he should know, coming from Louisiana where people felt the force of the Civil Rights struggle more than most.

Now, after 20 years living in the UK and seven without a visit to the US, he said he would consider visiting his homeland now that George Bush was on his way out of the White House.

Politics to many is dry, dull and boring.

But, whether you agree with Senator Obama’s politics or not, he has almost single-handedly managed to engage a nation in the political system.

It remains to be seen whether it can actually happen, but millions upon millions of Americans really believe they now have a voice.