Final answer:
Cecil lived to see Barack Obama elected as the first African American president of the United States in 2008, securing 53 percent of the popular vote.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cecil lived to see Barack Obama being elected in 2008. Barack Obama became the 44th President of the United States after winning the election against Arizona Senator John McCain. The 2008 election was significant as it resulted in the election of the first African American president, with Obama securing 53 percent of the popular vote. This historic event followed a turbulent campaign marked by a strong backlash against Obama, which was only partly mitigated by McCain's efforts to dispel misinformation about Obama's religious beliefs and citizenship. Despite the challenges, Obama's optimism and charisma contrasted starkly with the negative attacks from his opponents, helping to solidify his victory.