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Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center

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.

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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
Former President Barack Obama speaks during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
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)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
Singer Christina Aguilera performs during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
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)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
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)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
Former President Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden, from left, former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush, and former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, pose for a photo ahead of the dedication ceremony at the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 17, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Pool)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
Former President Barack Obama speaks during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
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)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
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)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
Singer Marc Anthony performs during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
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)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
Bruce Springsteen performs during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
Conan O’Brien mingles ahead of the Obama Presidential Center dedication ceremony Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama on stage as they surprised administration and campaign alumni in Chicago ahead of the dedication ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Pool)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
The Obama Presidential Center is seen ahead of the dedication ceremony Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
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)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
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)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
Former President Barack Obama speaks during the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center, Thursday, June 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
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)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
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)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
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)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
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)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
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)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
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)
Photos show opening day at the Obama Presidential Center | iNFOnews.ca
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)

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