And as surely as we didn't know what was going to happen there, we don't know what's going to happen next.
That's why the pictures from Tahrir Square in Cairo are both inspiring and frightening.
They evoke memories of Tiananmen Square, when Chinese demonstrated against their communist government and when, for a moment, it seemed the world would change.
VIEWER VOICES: What do you think about the resignation of Egypt's president?
And Egypt also reminds us of the revolution in Iran, in 1979, when the dictatorial Shah was overthrown, only to be replaced by a more repressive Islamic government led by Ayatollah Khomeini.
But protests had the opposite effect in Berlin, where the fall of the wall that divided the city defeated a domineering government and led to the reunification of Germany.
So the key question in Egypt now is: who fills the vacuum created by Hosni Mubarak's resignation?
Don't look for Washington for answers because it's clear they don't have any.
Our president learned of the Mubarak's resignation on television. More embarrassing, the head of the CIA told Congress there was a "strong likelihood" Mubarak would resign yesterday, which of course he didn't.
Our "intelligence" has not been very smart.
Don't underestimate what's happening:
The Middle East is in play; America's influence is in limbo; and we're all in doubt.
The world is changing, and we don't know how.
This is the time when, for better or worse, anything is possible.
I'm Andy Hiller, that's my instinct.
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