President Obama lead the grand opening of a national museum that is focused on African American history — as tens of thousands of spectators gathered to celebrate the historic moment. Our Cheryl Wills was there and filed this report from Washington D.C.
President Obama rings in a new era and cuts the ribbon for the Smithsonian's newest crown jewel — The National Museum of African American History and Culture. Both Obama and former President George W. Bush shared the significance of the triple tiered repository, which is situated adjacent to the Washington Monument.
"I was honored to sign the bill authorizing the construction of this national treasure," said former President George W. Bush.
"We're not a burden on America of a stain on America or an object of pity or charity for America," said President Barack Obama. "We're America!"
Stevie Wonder, Patti Labelle, Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith and Robert DeNiro were just some of the celebrities that took part in Saturday's dedication ceremony. Inside the museum — which cost more than $500 million to build — are more than 3,000 artifacts from slavery to freedom.
Tens of thousands of Americans from all corners of this country are here on the National Mall and they say were determined to be a part of history.
"We wanted to witness the historic opening of the museum which celebrates us which includes our donation to the United States of America," said one.
"Our grandmothers, our great grandmothers who are not here anymore could only dream of experiencing something like this," said another.
And there is plenty of pop culture in the museum as well.
There's a hip-hop display that features the hat of legendary rapper Kangol Kid.
"The hat being in the museum is absolute validation," he said. "We did this as fun, for fun as entertainment, not knowing that we were creating a culture and now it's gonna last forever."
The 400,000 square foot museum was more than a century in the making but officials say its impact will be well worth the wait and will be felt for generations to come.