Star-studded crowd gathers to celebrate the Obama Presidential Center dedication
Former US president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama arrived at the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
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Former President Barack Obama opened his long-awaited presidential headquarters in Chicago on Thursday, drawing a who’s who of former presidents, dignitaries, celebrities and musical artists to an invitation-only dedication ceremony on the city’s South Side.
The Obama Presidential Center, an $850 million campus more than a decade under construction, officially opens to the public on Friday. Thursday’s ceremony featured guests like Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks, as well as performances from Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, The Roots, Christina Aguilera and others.
All living former presidents and first ladies attended the meeting, except President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump.
Obama used the moment to pay tribute to Chicago, the city where he began his political career, raised his family and found a community that helped shape his presidency.
“This is where I found my purpose, where I strengthened my faith, and where I found my community,” Obama said.
The former president also sharply defended democratic norms, saying the center’s aim was to advance “the shared values that make democracy possible”; this included “the belief in the peaceful transfer of power after the people have spoken in fair and free elections.”
(LR) Former President Joe Biden, former First Lady Jill Biden, former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush, former First Lady Laura Bush, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pose for photos before the dedication ceremony.
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Former US President Barack Obama, accompanied by Michelle Obama, Malia Obama and Sasha Obama, waves as he attends the opening ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center
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Christina Aguilera takes the stage.
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Tom Hanks attends the dedication ceremony.
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Jennifer Hudson takes the stage.
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Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (R) and her husband Paul Pelosi attended the dedication ceremony.
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George Lucas (L) and his wife Mellody Hobson attend.
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David Letterman reacts during the dedication ceremony.
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Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel came.
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(L-R) Former second gentleman Doug Emhoff and former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris wave as they arrive at the dedication ceremony.
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American singer Eddie Vedder takes the stage.
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(L-R) Former US President Barack Obama, Former First Lady Michelle Obama, Malia Obama and Sasha Obama cheer after the performance of Eddie Vedder and Guitars Over Guns.
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(LR) Former US President George W. Bush, Former US President Joe Biden and Former First Lady Jill Biden.
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Tems performs.
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Former US President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama laugh.
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Marc Anthony performs.
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Former US President Barack Obama (left) and former US First Lady Michelle Obama during the opening of the Obama Presidential Center.
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Former US President Barack Obama speaks.
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Bruce Springsteen takes the stage.
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Stevie Wonder takes the stage.
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