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Photos: Smithsonian's African American…
Photos: Smithsonian’s African American history museum celebrates its debut
WTOP Staff
September 23, 2016, 5:29 PM
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The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture officially opened Saturday. Here are scenes from the celebrations.
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First lady Michelle Obama, center, hugs former President George W. Bush, as President Barack Obama and former first lady Laura Bush walk on stage at the dedication ceremony of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
President Barack Obama speaks at the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on Sept. 24, 2016 in Washington, D.C. The museum is opening thirteen years after Congress and President George W. Bush authorized its construction. (Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)
Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images
Three people attending the opening day festivities at the National Museum of African American History and Culture did not know each other at the beginning of the day, but ended up spending the day enjoying each other’s company Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
WTOP/Kate Ryan
A man listens to civil rights leader and U.S. Rep. John Lewis speak during the opening weekend of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Sept. 24, 2016. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
WTOP/Kate Ryan
Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith waves to guest in the attendance before speaking at the dedication ceremony for the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
The crowd listens as President Barack Obama speaks during the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Sept. 24, 2016. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
WTOP/Kate Ryan
A man watches the events from the official opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Sept. 24, 2016. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
WTOP/Kate Ryan
Scanning the crow during the official opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
WTOP/Kate Ryan
This group of graduate students poses for a photo. They are Ford Foundation scholars. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
WTOP/Kate Ryan
President Barack Obama, accompanied by first lady Michelle Obama, former president George Bush and former first lady Laura Bush, participate in the dedication of the National Museum of African American History and Culture Sept. 24, 2016 in Washington, D.C, before the museum opens to the public later that day. The museum is a Smithsonian Institution museum located on the National Mall featuring African American history and culture in the US. (Photo by Astrid Riecken/Getty Images)
Photo by Astrid Riecken/Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 24: U.S. President Barack Obama, accompanied by first lady Michelle Obama, arrives for the dedication of the National Museum of African American History and Culture September 24, 2016 in Washington, DC, before the museum opens to the public later that day. The museum is a Smithsonian Institution museum located on the National Mall featuring African American history and culture in the US. (Photo by Astrid Riecken/Getty Images)
Photo by Astrid Riecken/Getty Images
Former President George W. Bush speaks during the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
A man holds a child in the crowd during the opening dedication ceremony for the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
WTOP/Kate Ryan
A woman in the crowd during the opening dedication ceremony for the newest Smithsonian museum Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
WTOP/Kate Ryan
A man observes the opening dedication ceremony on the National Mall for the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
WTOP/Kate Ryan
Women in the crowd smile at the opening dedication ceremony of the Museum of African American History and Culture. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
WTOP/Kate Ryan
A man watches from the crowd at the opening dedication ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
WTOP/Kate Ryan
Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., right, and President Barack Obama embrace at the dedication ceremony for the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
President Barack Obama walks into the Grand Foyer with Lonnie Bunch, Director of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture, and first lady Michelle Obama, to speak at a reception for the museum opening at the White House in Washington, Friday, Sept. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
Before performing at the opening dedication ceremony for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Stevie Wonder tells the crowd, “We can come together.” (WTOP/Allison Keyes)
WTOP/Allison Keyes
Former President George W. Bush speaks to the crowd during the opening dedication ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (WTOP/Allison Keyes)
WTOP/Allison Keyes
President Barack Obama, former President George W. Bush, Rep. John Lewis and National Museum of African American History and Culture Director Lonnie Burch observe the opening dedication ceremony of the museum Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (WTOP/Allison Keyes)
WTOP/Allison Keyes
The crowd watches as speakers take the stage at the opening dedication ceremony for the National Museum of African American History on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (WTOP/Allison Keyes)
WTOP/Allison Keyes
The crowd at the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture counted down and cheered as President Obama took the state. (WTOP/Allison Keyes)
WTOP/Allison Keyes
Actor Samuel Jackson, right, greets Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. as they take their seats for the dedication ceremony of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
Actor Chris Tucker, right, stops to talk with Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., as they take their seats for the dedication ceremony of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., left, greets House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif. as they take their seats for the dedication ceremony of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
Former Attorney General Eric Holder, left, talks with current Attorney General Loretta Lynch as they arrive for the dedication ceremony of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
Actor David Oyelowo arrives for the dedication ceremony of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
Actors Robert De Niro, left, and Angela Bassett, stand on stage during a sounds check before the dedication ceremony of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
Singer Dionne Warwick arrives for the dedication ceremony of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
Members of Howard University’s Marching Band arrive for the dedication ceremony of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
Baseball great, hall-of-famer Hank Aaron arrives for the dedication ceremony of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
Rev. Jesse Jackson greets guests as they take their seats for the dedication ceremony of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
Actor Will Smith, center, stops to greet performers for today’s dedication ceremony at the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell arrives for today’s dedication ceremony at the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
The anticipation is rising as people wait for the grand opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. (WTOP/Allison Keyes)
WTOP/Allison Keyes
The stage is set for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture’s opening weekend ceremony. ((WTOP/Allison Keyes))
(WTOP/Allison Keyes)
Yvonne and Garvey Clark, 81, wait to get into the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture during the opening weekend celebration. (WTOP/Allison Keyes)
WTOP/Allison Keyes
WTOP’s Allison Keyes attends the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture’s opening weekend ceremony. (WTOP/Allison Keyes)
WTOP/Allison Keyes
Last minute preparation are made for today’s dedication ceremony at the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, where President Barack Obama will speak. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
The media sets up for the opening event of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. (WTOP/Allison Keyes)
WTOP/Allison Keyes
WTOP’s Allison Keyes attends the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. (WTOP/Allison Keyes)
WTOP/Allison Keyes
Last minute preparation are made for today’s dedication ceremony at the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture on the National Mall in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, where President Barack Obama will speak. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
The sun rises over the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture as a group of men wait for the dedication and opening ceremony in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. Centuries of struggles and strife, decades of planning and pain, and years of hoping for a place that African-American history can call home will culminate as President Barack Obama officially opens the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
AP Photo/Cliff Owen
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture opens Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. (WTOP/Dennis Foley)
WTOP/Dennis Foley
Actor Samuel L. Jackson, second from left, and Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., second from right, pose for a photo during a reception in the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington, Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, for the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. At left is Cookie Johnson, wife of Magic Johnson. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
Kobe Bryant poses for a photo during a reception in the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington, Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, for the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
President Barack Obama, left, and first lady Michelle Obama, right, listen as Lonnie Bunch, center, Director of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture, speaks at a reception for the museum opening at the White House in Washington, Friday, Sept. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
The Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands marching band performs on the South Lawn of the White House during a reception in honor of the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture Sept. 23, 2016 in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1946, the band performed during the inauguration of presidents Bill Clinton and John F. Kennedy, making them the first historically black college or university to perform at a presidential inauguration. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands marching band performs on the South Lawn of the White House during a reception in honor of the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture Sept. 23, 2016 in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1946, the band performed during the inauguration of presidents Bill Clinton and John F. Kennedy, making them the first historically black college or university to perform at a presidential inauguration. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The Tennessee State University Marching band performs on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, as part of the entertainment for a reception at the White House for the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
The Tennessee State University Marching band performs on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, as part of the entertainment for a reception at the White House for the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
The Tennessee State University Marching band performs on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, as part of the entertainment for a reception at the White House for the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
Former Attorney General Eric Holder, left, and Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Calif. attend a reception at the White House in Washington, Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, for the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
Former Attorney General Eric Holder poses for a selfie during a reception in honor of the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on the South Lawn of the White House Sept. 23, 2016 in Washington, D.C. Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush will be among the guests to help open the museum to the public Saturday. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Rev. Jesse Jackson walks onto the Truman Balcony of the White House in Washington, Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, as he attends a reception for the opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu walks back into the Green Room during a reception in honor of the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on the South Lawn of the White House on Sept. 23, 2016 in Washington, D.C. Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush will be among the guests to help open the museum to the public Saturday. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Demont Pinder poses with his painting at Google 4 NMAAHC celebrating the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Sept. 16, 2016 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Teresa Kroeger/Getty Images for Google)
Photo by Teresa Kroeger/Getty Images for Google
General view of the atmosphere at Google 4 NMAAHC celebrating the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Sept. 16, 2016 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Teresa Kroeger/Getty Images for Google)
Photo by Teresa Kroeger/Getty Images for Google
The Washington Monument is reflected in a window of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, during a press preview. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
Gloria Jolivet, a niece-in-law to Bo Diddley, left, and Ellis McDaniel, Jr., right, son of Bo Diddley, stop to look at the exhibited space dedicated to Bo Diddley at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016, during a press preview. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
Museum Director Lonnie Bunch, left, talks during a media tour of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Washington. The museum’s grand opening will be on Sept. 24. (AP Photo/Paul Holston)
AP Photo/Paul Holston
Construction continues on The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, Tuesday, June 9, 2015. The building is scheduled to open in 2016. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
In this photo taken June 9, 2015, construction continues on The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, scheduled to open in 2016. . A record number of U.S. tourists visited Washington last year. The city’s tourism bureau, Destination DC, announced Tuesday, May 3, 2016, that the nation’s capital welcomed 19.3 million domestic visitors in 2015. That’s up one million from the 2014 total, and it shows the continuing strength of Washington’s tourism industry after the Great Recession. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
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