Former President Barack Obama formally opened his presidential center in Chicago on Thursday with a call to defend democracy as three former presidents joined him on stage in an extraordinary event featuring politicians, A-list celebrities, athletes, and other internationally known figures.

Obama’s Message

Obama voiced his support for character, honesty, integrity, kindness, compassion, and sense of duty, praising both Democrats and Republicans, including those he defeated. He also expressed some regrets, such as the increase in political polarization during his two terms.

The Obama Presidential Center is a nearly 20-acre campus that is expected to attract over a million visitors a year. General admission tickets for the center are sold out through the end of October.

Celebrity Performances

The event featured performances by Bono, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony, and Eddie Vedder, among others. The grand finale included a performance by Stevie Wonder, who sang ‘Higher Ground’ as the former presidents, world leaders, and others danced along.

Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.