Chicago’s South Side made history today, and the whole world was watching. The grand opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center drew one of the most extraordinary gatherings of celebrities, dignitaries, and former presidents the city has ever seen — a who’s who of former presidents, dignitaries, and musical performers descending on an invite-only dedication ceremony nearly a decade in the making.

Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama were joined by former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Joe Biden for the milestone occasion. Every living president and first lady except Donald and Melania Trump was in attendance — a pointed statement in its own right. Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, David Letterman, and Conan O’Brien were also on hand, joined by Malia and Sasha Obama, who watched their father’s emotional remarks from the crowd.

The performances were nothing short of staggering. Bruce Springsteen, U2’s Bono and The Edge, Christina Aguilera, Common, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Marc Anthony, Stevie Wonder, TEMS, and The Roots all took the stage, turning the dedication into something closer to a once-in-a-generation concert event. Eddie Vedder performed with Guitars Over Guns, and John Legend and Common delivered a performance of “Glory” that brought the crowd to its feet.

The 19-acre, $850 million campus includes a museum featuring digital exhibits on key moments in Obama’s presidency, a basketball court, and a branch of the city’s public library. It opens to the general public on Juneteenth — Friday — a date that felt anything but accidental.

Take a look at the star-studded sightings from today’s historic opening below.

Former President Barack Obama

Former US president Barack Obama speaks during opening day of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, Illinois, on June 18, 2026. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)

Former First Lady Michelle Obama

Former US first lady Michelle Obama speaks at the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, Illinois, on June 18, 2026. (Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski / AFP via Getty Images)

TEMS

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: Tems performs during the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center, in John Lewis Plaza, on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

John Legend

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: John Legend performs during the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Common

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: John Legend and Common perform with Uniting Voices Chicago during the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Tyler Perry

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: Tyler Perry attends the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Jon Batiste

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: Jon Batiste attends the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Oprah Winfrey

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: Oprah Winfrey attends the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Former V.P. Kamala Harris and Former Second Gentlemen Doug Emhoff

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: (L-R) Former second gentleman Doug Emhoff and former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris wave as they arrive to the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Former President George W. Bush, with Former First Lady Michelle Obama

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: (L-R) Former President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton watch as former President George W. Bush, gives former first lady Michelle Obama mints ahead the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center, in John Lewis Plaza, on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais-Pool/Getty Images)

Former First Ladys

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: (L-R) Former first lady Jill Biden, former first lady Michelle Obama, former first lady Laura Bush and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, pose for a photo ahead of the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center, in John Lewis Plaza, on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Pablo Martinez Monsivais-Pool/Getty Images)

Jennifer Hudson

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: Jennifer Hudson performs during the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Rev. Al Sharpton

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: Rev. Al Sharpton (C) arrives for the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

LL Cool J

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: LL Cool J attends the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)

Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) attend the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Addison Belhomme

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: Addison Belhomme speaks during the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Gayle King and Oprah Winfrey

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: Gayle King and Oprah Winfrey attend the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Sasha Obama, Malia Obama, Former first lady Michelle Obama and Former U.S. President Barack Obama

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: (L-R) Sasha Obama, Malia Obama, Former first lady Michelle Obama and Former U.S. President Barack Obama attend the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)

Stevie Wonder

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: Stevie Wonder performs during the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center, in John Lewis Plaza, on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

Punihei Lipe

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: Punihei Lipe speaks during the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center, in John Lewis Plaza, on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

Marc Anthony

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: Marc Anthony performs during the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

Malia (L) and Sasha Obama

TOPSHOT – Malia (L) and Sasha Obama, daughters of former US president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama, arrive at the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, Illinois, on June 18, 2026. (Photo by Kent NISHIMURA / AFP via Getty Images)

Sasha Obama

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: Sasha Obama cries during the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center, in John Lewis Plaza, on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. Barack Obama served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017 and was the first African-American to hold the office. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

Activist and former U.S. Rep. Andrew Young

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: Activist and former U.S. Rep. Andrew Young (C) arrives ahead of the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

The Roots

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: The Roots perform during the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

U.S. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: U.S. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) attends the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

U.S. Rep. Danny Davis

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) attends the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: CEO of The Obama Foundation Valerie Jarrett speaks during the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

Gabrielle Union

US actress Gabrielle Union arrives at the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, Illinois, on June 18, 2026. (Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski / AFP via Getty Images)

Quinta Brunson

US actress Quinta Brunson (L) arrives during the opening day of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, Illinois, on June 18, 2026. (Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski / AFP via Getty Images)

Former U.S. President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: Former U.S. President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama are introduced at the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center in John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Author: Shelby Stewart

Read the original article on Essence.