Obama dedicates his new presidential center on Chicago’s South Side

<p>Foreign and national dignitaries, former presidents, acclaimed musicians and actors, friends, neighbors and family joined Former First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama in a dedication ceremony at the Obama Presidential Library which opens today, Juneteenth, on Chicago’s South Side. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/06/18/obama-center-opening-dedication-as-uninvited-trump-looms/90350916007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The former president delivered a speech that emphasized American ideals and the promise of America’s democratic experiment at its founding</a>. USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page joins The Excerpt to share her thoughts on this historic opening.</p><p>Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to <a href="mailto:podcasts@usatoday.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">podcasts@usatoday.com</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Episode transcript <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/06/19/in-dedication-president-obama-honors-americas-founding-vision-the-excerpt/90619239007/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">available here</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.</p>