Chicago took center stage Thursday as former President Barack Obama’s presidential library held its opening ceremony, drawing an array of Democratic leaders, former presidents and celebrity guests for the occasion.
The library, located in Jackson Park on the city’s South Side, marks a milestone for Obama in the community where Michelle Obama was raised and where the couple built their life before moving to the White House in 2009.
The campus is set to open to the public on Friday, but celebrations were already underway as political heavyweights and high-profile attendees gathered for the dedication events.
Among those on hand were the Obamas, the Bidens, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, who posed together for photos ahead of the ceremony.
In one image, Michelle Obama embraced former President George W. Bush while the pair held up a tin of Altoids, as Clinton smiled in the background.
Another lighthearted moment captured Joe and Jill Biden blowing a kiss toward the camera as they joined the festivities.
Michelle and Barack Obama’s daughters, Malia and Sasha, also came out to support their parents, waving and smiling big at the crowd.
A-listers swarmed the event, including John Lennon and his wife Chrissy Teigen, former late-night talk show host Steven Colbert, Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson, Tyler Perry, Steven Spielberg, and Jill Vedder, among others.
Former President Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden, from left, former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush, and former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, pose for a photo
Malia and Sasha Obama also came out to support their parents, waving and smiling at the crowd
One picture showed Michelle hugging former President George Bush as they showed off a can of Altoids mints while former President Bill Clinton laughed behind them
Joe and Jill Biden, the former president and first lady, were seen in a cheeky snap blowing a kiss at the camera together
Singer John Legend, center, and his wife Chrissy Teigen arrive ahead of the Obama Presidential Center
Stephen Colbert attends the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center
Oprah Winfrey attends the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center
California Governor Gavin Newsom, US Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, former Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, Former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, and former Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff, and more political bigwigs were also in attendance.
Many guests donned sunglasses as they shook hands and hugged each other ahead of the start of the ceremony, which started with Jennifer Hudson singing the national anthem.
President Donald Trump was not invited to the event, as the focus was on welcoming Obama supporters, Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett said, according to NBC News.
Trump is a staunch critic of the Obamas, who has recently slammed him for how he dealt with Iran when he was in office.
He is still welcome to visit the center in the future, she added.
Jarrett, a longtime adviser to the Obamas, made a speech that reflected on her relationship with the couple and their family.
‘They were engaged to be married. Malia and Sasha were a glimmer in their eyes, and they were just beginning their careers.
‘They didn’t know what path their lives would take, but they were both committed to a life of service,’ she told the crowd.
California’s Governor Gavin Newsom – a fierce Democrat – was also in attendance
Nancy Pelosi showed up for her old friend Obama’s big day
Former Vice President and her husband Doug Emhoff attended the celebration
Jennifer Hudson performed the national anthem at the event on Thursday
In addition to Hudson, several other singers are expected to take the stage at the star-studded ceremony, including her boyfriend Common, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony, John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Tems, Stevie Wonder, and others.
Peral Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder performed an original song called ‘Better Believe’ that was specifically written for the big event.
‘Now, President Obama was aware that I would be playing music with young musicians from the neighborhood, but when he heard we were writing an original piece, a song just for the occasion, he said that might be a lot of work, and as usual he was right,’ Vedder said before his performance.
He added: ‘But it’s been great work, and it’s everything the center stands for its inclusivity, its access to resources, its mentorship, and opportunity. So we thank you for this opportunity.’
President Donald Trump was not invited to the event, as the focus was on welcoming Obama supporters, Obama Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett said
Valerie Jarrett, a longtime adviser to the Obamas, made a speech that reflected on her relationship with the couple and their family
The Obama Center project plans were made public in May 2017, and originally projected to be completed by 2021.
But the COVID-19 pandemic sparked delays, along with the expansion of the center’s original plans.
The campus itself sits on 19 acres of land, and includes a public park, museum, library, ample green space and an NBC regulation-size basketball court.
Approximately $850 million went into building the center, making it the most expensive presidential library in US history.
