CHICAGO (AP) — Former President Barack Obama marked the opening of his presidential center with a star-studded celebration that brought together former presidents, world leaders, celebrities and athletes.
Former President Barack Obama speaks during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
Former President Barack Obama speaks during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama on stage during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama on stage during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Singer Christina Aguilera performs during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Singer Christina Aguilera performs during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Former President Barack Obama, right, shares a laugh with former first lady Michelle Obama, left, on stage during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Former President Barack Obama, right, shares a laugh with former first lady Michelle Obama, left, on stage during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
A woman holds a doll of former President Barak Obama as people watch the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center from Midway Plaisance, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
A woman holds a doll of former President Barak Obama as people watch the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center from Midway Plaisance, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Former President Barack Obama speaks during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
Former President Barack Obama speaks during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
Shelia Clay arriving for the watch party at the Midway Plaisance Park for the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Shelia Clay arriving for the watch party at the Midway Plaisance Park for the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Former President Barack Obama, lean in to kiss former first lady Michelle Obama after speaking at the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Former President Barack Obama, lean in to kiss former first lady Michelle Obama after speaking at the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Singer Marc Anthony performs during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Singer Marc Anthony performs during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Former President Barack Obama, center, smiles as he reacts to the musical performance by Stevie Wonder, also with Obama are from l-r., former President Joe Biden, and Obama’s daughters Malia and Sasha during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Former President Barack Obama, center, smiles as he reacts to the musical performance by Stevie Wonder, also with Obama are from l-r., former President Joe Biden, and Obama’s daughters Malia and Sasha during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Singer Bono from the Rock Band U2 performing at the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Singer Bono from the Rock Band U2 performing at the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Malia Obama, left, shares a laugh with her mother, former first lady Michelle Obama, during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Malia Obama, left, shares a laugh with her mother, former first lady Michelle Obama, during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Former President Barack Obama gets emotional as his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, speaks during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Former President Barack Obama gets emotional as his wife, former first lady Michelle Obama, speaks during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Former President Barack Obama, right, embraces Bruce Springsteen during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
Former President Barack Obama, right, embraces Bruce Springsteen during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
Former President Joe Biden looks out at the crowd during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Former President Joe Biden looks out at the crowd during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Former President George W. Bush, right, on stage with members of The Roots during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Former President George W. Bush, right, on stage with members of The Roots during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Conan O’Brien mingles ahead of the Obama Presidential Center dedication ceremony Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Conan O’Brien mingles ahead of the Obama Presidential Center dedication ceremony Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Former President Barack Obama, left, and former first lady Michelle Obama, right, embrace Stevie Wonder during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Former President Barack Obama, left, and former first lady Michelle Obama, right, embrace Stevie Wonder during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Former President Barack Obama, right, looks on from the stage during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Former President Barack Obama, right, looks on from the stage during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Former President Barack Obama plays air guitar during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Former President Barack Obama plays air guitar during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
