- Former President Barack Obama dedicated his Chicago presidential center Thursday at an exclusive ceremony featuring dignitaries and celebrities.
- The event included every living president and first lady except Donald and Melania Trump, highlighting a focus on democratic values and Obama's legacy.
- In his remarks, Obama honored Chicago as the place where he discovered purpose, faith and community.
Former President
Barack Obama opened his long-awaited presidential center in Chicago on Thursday, drawing a who's who of former presidents, dignitaries, celebrities and musical performers to an invite-only dedication ceremony on the city's South Side.
The Obama Presidential Center, a
$850 million campus more than a decade in the making, officially opens to the public Friday. Thursday's ceremony featured guests such as Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Stephen Colbert and Tom Hanks, with performances from Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, The Roots, Christina Aguilera and others.
All living former presidents and first ladies — except President
Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump — were in attendance.
Obama used the moment to pay tribute to
Chicago, the city where he launched his political career, built his family and found community that helped shape his presidency.
"I found my purpose here, and I fortified my faith here, and I found my community here," Obama said.
The former president also made a pointed defense of democratic norms, saying the center was meant to carry forward "the shared values that make
democracy possible," including "a belief in the peaceful transfer of power after the people have spoken in fair and free elections."<small>Source: CNBC</small>
Business
In photos: Star-studded crowd gathers to celebrate the Obama Presidential Center dedication
CNBC
June 18, 2026
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