A number of high-profile celebrities gathered in Chicago on June 18 to celebrate the opening of former President Barack Obama’s Presidential Center. Tom Hanks, Christina Aguilera, Stevie Wonder, Tyler Perry, Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, and Oprah Winfrey were among the big names in attendance.
Aguilera joined Springsteen, Wonder, and Legend for performances during the big night. The event also featured appearances from several other well-known figures. Pearl Jam front man Eddie Vedder, rapper Common, and singers Marc Anthony and Jennifer Hudson also delivered special performances that energized the crowd.
Former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Joe Biden were also in attendance, along with former Vice President Kamala Harris and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Former First Lady Michelle Obama proudly attended, and daughters Sasha and Malia Obama even made a rare public appearance.
The Obama Center is a 19-acre (about 7.7-hectare) campus located in Chicago's historic Jackson Park. The expansive site includes a museum of democracy, a library, a Women’s Garden honoring female leaders in the Chicago area, a small lake with a walkway known as the Wetland Walk, and an NBA regulation-size basketball court. The highly anticipated US$850 million campus will open this June 19, Juneteenth, after more than a decade in development.
In this gallery, we highlight Barack Obama's greatest achievements while ensconced in the White House, and chart his post-presidency legacy. Click on to continue reading.