Former US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrive at the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
Kent Nishimura | AFP | Getty Images
Former President Barack Obama opened the long-awaited Presidential Center in Chicago on Thursday, drawing a who’s who of former presidents, dignitaries, celebrities and musical performers for an invitation-only dedication ceremony on the city’s South Side.
The Obama Presidential Center, which cost $850 million and took more than a decade to build, officially opens to the public on Friday. Thursday’s ceremony featured guests including Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks, and performances from Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, The Roots, Christina Aguilera and more.
All living former presidents and first ladies attended, except for President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.
President Obama used the occasion to pay tribute to Chicago, the city where he began his political career, raised his family and built the community that helped shape his presidency.
“I found my purpose here, I grew my faith here, I found my community here,” President Obama said.
The former president also fiercely defended democratic norms, saying the center aims to inherit the “common values that make democracy possible,” including “a belief in the peaceful transfer of power after the people have had their voice heard in fair and free elections.”
(LR) Former President Joe Biden, former First Lady Jill Biden, former President Barack Obama, former President 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 a photo prior to the dedication ceremony.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais | AFP | Getty Images
Former US President Barack Obama waves as he attends the dedication of the Obama Presidential Center with Michelle Obama, Malia Obama, and Sasha Obama
Brendan McDiarmid | Reuters
Christina Aguilera performs.
Brendan McDiarmid | Reuters
Tom Hanks also attended the dedication ceremony.
Win McNamee | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Starring Jennifer Hudson.
Scott Olson | Getty Images
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and her husband Paul Pelosi (R-Calif.) attended the dedication ceremony.
Jim Vondruska | Getty Images
George Lucas (left) and his wife Melody Hobson attended.
Jim Vondruska | Getty Images
David Letterman reacts at the dedication ceremony:
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits Japan.
Kamil Krzaczynski | AFP | Getty Images
(LR) Former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris arrive and wave at the dedication ceremony.
Scott Olson | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Starring Eddie Vedder.
Kamil Krzaczynski | AFP | Getty Images
(LR) Former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters Malia and Sasha Obama cheer after Eddie Vedder and Guitars Over Guns’ performance.
Win McNamee | Getty Images News | Getty Images
(LR) Former US President George W. Bush, former President Joe Biden, and former First Lady Jill Biden.
Win McNamee | Getty Images
Thames will perform.
Scott Olson | Getty Images
Former US President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama laugh.
Brendan McDiarmid | Reuters
Starring Marc Anthony.
Win McNamee | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Former President Barack Obama (left) and former First Lady Michelle Obama at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center.
Mustafa Hussein | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Former US President Barack Obama speaks.
Scott Olson | Getty Images
Bruce Springsteen performs.
Scott Olson | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Stevie Wonder performs.
Win McNamee | Getty Images News | Getty Images
