As the United States prepares to celebrate the inauguration of its first African-American president, it showcases again one of the best aspects of its national identity. Though it took more than 200 years to reach this point, foreign observers, especially in Europe, marvel at Barack Obama’s ascendancy.

America certainly has its flaws and its struggles over race and national identity, but it also has much to be proud of in terms of how it assimilates those with foreign or minority backgrounds. Obama’s example — and that of his newly formed Cabinet, which includes many accomplished leaders from ethnic or racial “out-groups” — holds useful lessons for other nations, particularly in Western Europe.