For the 44th time in 220 years, the United States on Friday marks the peaceful transfer of supreme executive power to a new, duly elected president. Can Americans set aside our divisions for a moment to appreciate that remarkable achievement?

Yes, Donald Trump is different — a populist given to harsh rhetoric; a man who has never before served in any elected office, nor run anything in the public sector.

And one who assumes the Oval Office with an opposition frothing at the mouth over its unexpected loss, desperate to deny his legitimacy and frustrate his agenda.

By all accounts, Trump will aim at unity in his Inaugural Address — setting out his ambitions in a philosophical (not ideological) context, emphasizing goals that unite the overwhelming majority of the nation. If the new president shows the same grace he did in his victory speech late on Election Night, he’ll hit the mark.

Of course, many will refuse to listen — indeed, will be protesting Trump’s ascension. The only thing he can do about that is prove them wrong, and that work will take time. Tweeting at them certainly won’t do it.

Political passions divided the nation long before Trump came along. Even where his goals have clear majority support, like replacing ObamaCare with something better, success will only anger the diehard haters.

But those same passions make it easy to forget that the haters on either side are actually quite few (if often loud). The overwhelming majority in the nation’s broad center always hopes for the success of every new president, Republican or Democrat — hopes that he (or, someday, she) governs well, bringing peace, prosperity and progress.

From Thursday’s laying of the ceremonial wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns to Friday’s swearing-in, speech and parade, the Inauguration is a national ceremony marking awesome power passed in good order from one leader to the next, in the world’s oldest republic — which remains one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

That much, we should all celebrate.