It was a beautiful, sunny morning in New Orleans today as I headed to the polls. As you may remember, I registered to vote just under the wire and was much relieved to have realized in time. I was raised to know the importance of such a right as voting and while as a young girl I remember who my parents and grandparents voted for being much more secretive than now, it was important.

I have been reading the book 1776 and what a great reminder it is of how many fought and died so that we would have the right to be governed as we are. Knowing our country's history is my ultimate soapbox. So many today enjoy and even abuse the rights we have without understanding or caring why we have them.

I have taken a sample citizenship test online to see just how much I do know, and I'm proud to say that I passed. But the sad thing is that so many Americans could not. I mean, do you know how many amendments there are to the Constitution, or even when the Constitution was adopted? (Hint: it's not 1776) If you'd like to test your knowledge, visit http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13442226/

So on the day of what just may be a historical election, I'll say that I have voted and I am proud to be an American. And remember this, you may not like the man elected to office today, but he is the President and that position deserves your respect. So when you exercise your freedom of speech, whether for him or against, remember that many men died for you to have that right and it should never be taken lightly.