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By Open Chronicle with agencies
Former U.S. President Barack Obama officially inaugurated the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on Thursday, joined by former presidents, world leaders, musicians, athletes, celebrities, and civil rights figures in a landmark event celebrating his legacy and the future mission of the institution.
The invitation-only ceremony marked the opening of the $850 million complex on Chicago’s South Side and launched a weekend of celebrations ahead of its public opening on Juneteenth, the U.S. holiday commemorating the end of slavery.
Obama was accompanied on stage by former First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters, alongside former Presidents Joe Biden, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton. Former First Ladies Jill Biden, Laura Bush, and Hillary Rodham Clinton were also present, as was former Vice President Kamala Harris.
The current President, Donald Trump, did not attend the event. Earlier this year, Trump criticized the project on social media, describing the development as a “total disaster.”
NEW: Former presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden, George Bush and Bill Clinton celebrate the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
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Star-Studded Celebration
The inauguration featured performances from some of the world’s most recognizable artists.
Jennifer Hudson opened the ceremony with a rendition of the U.S. national anthem, followed by appearances from Bono, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony, and Eddie Vedder. Performances by Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder were scheduled later in the program.
Thousands of spectators gathered in a nearby park to watch the ceremony on large screens as celebrations extended beyond the venue itself.
Former President Barack Obama was joined by the Biden, Clinton and Bush families for the opening of his presidential museum in Chicago. The $850 million center will open to the public tomorrow.
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Michelle Obama’s Emotional Tribute
One of the most memorable moments came when Michelle Obama delivered an emotional tribute to her husband.
“Eight years under intense pressure, and not once did you allow it to break you. Not once did you allow it to harden you,” she said.
She praised Obama’s optimism, resilience, work ethic, and moral character, highlighting key moments from his presidency, including the operation that led to the death of former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, support for marriage equality, and his commitment to science-based policymaking.
“You made the hardest job in the world look like a walk through this beautiful park,” she said.
Michelle Obama also reflected on what she described as an era of anxiety and division, arguing that the new center could serve as a place for reflection, engagement and civic renewal.
A Gathering of Political and Cultural Leaders
The event brought together an extraordinary range of guests from politics, entertainment, sports, and civil society.
Among those attending were Gavin Newsom, civil rights leaders Andrew Young and Al Sharpton, media icon Oprah Winfrey, comedians David Letterman, Conan O’Brien and Stephen Colbert, actor Tom Hanks, tennis legend Billie Jean King, and Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts.
International guests included former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Valerie Jarrett, chief executive of the Obama Foundation and a longtime Obama adviser, emphasized that the center is intended to honor collective achievement rather than individual legacy.
“This is not a monument to the Obamas. It is a tribute to all those who made this journey possible,” she said.
A New Vision for Presidential Libraries
Located in Chicago’s historic Jackson Park near where Obama lived and began his political career, the nearly eight-hectare campus is expected to attract more than one million visitors annually.
The center includes a museum housed in a striking tower designed to symbolize four hands joined in solidarity. One side of the structure features giant concrete letters displaying an excerpt from Obama’s 2015 speech commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery march, beginning with the words: “You are America.”
Unlike traditional presidential libraries established since the era of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Obama Presidential Center does not house physical presidential archives and is the first major presidential institution designed primarily around digital records.
Beyond the museum, the campus includes a branch of the Chicago Public Library, recreational facilities, basketball courts, a playground, picnic areas, and community spaces intended to support civic engagement and leadership development.
With tickets already sold out through the end of October, the Obama Presidential Center is poised to become one of the most visited presidential institutions in the United States and a lasting symbol of Barack Obama’s presidency and vision for future generations.