Opening Day at the Obama Museum in photos

Former President Barack Obama formally opened his presidential center in Chicago on Thursday with a call to defend democracy. He and Michelle Obama spoke as three other former presidents and their first ladies joined the Obama family on stage in an extraordinary event featuring politicians, A-list celebrities, athletes and other internationally known figures. Obama voiced his support for character, honesty, integrity, kindness, compassion and sense of duty, praising both Democrats and Republicans for their values. President Donald Trump was conspicuous both in his physical absence and by not being mentioned by any of the speakers or performers. Stevie Wonder closed the show with a rousing rendition of “Higher Ground."

As people gathered to celebrate Juneteenth at events across the U.S., former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama welcomed the first visitors to his presidential center. A million visitors a year are expected to come together at the sprawling campus honoring the nation’s first Black president. The center’s grand opening arrives as a symbolic convergence of legacy and liberation in this fifth year since June 19 became a federal holiday. This year's Juneteenth events, held to celebrate the end of slavery, come during deep political divisions as the nation grapples with renewed questions about the arc of racial progress.