Has an incoming president ever been this heralded?sweded?

I can't believe all of this hype tomorrow's inauguration is getting...Obama is getting so much love from everyone from people who supported his campaign, to news anchors to people who DIDN'T vote for him...why is him coming into office being treated like America as a whole won something? It even goes beyond his being the "1st black president". What about Obama's becoming president has ignited the hopes and struck such a cord with the American people?