First African-American Museum In United States Opens(photos)
United States President, Barack Obama, opened the Smithsonian’s national museum about African American history in Washington DC.
The Museum was originally proposed 100 years ago and was conceived by Black Civil War veterans.
Barack Obama was joined by 43rd President of the United States of America George W Bush for the grand opening.
George Bush while he was president signed the bill to begin construction in 2003. According to President Obama, the $540m museum represented a “common journey towards freedom“.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Obama urged African-Americans to “come here and see the power of your own agency“.
“The very fact of this day does not prove that America is perfect, but it does validate the ideas of our founding – that this country born of change, of revolution, of we the people, that this country can get better.” He said.
President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama with George W. Bush
The museum contains 36,000 items, from trade goods used to buy slaves in Africa to a segregated railway car from the 1920s and a red Cadillac convertible belonging to Rock’n’Roll pioneer Chuck Berry.
The building was designed by British architect David Adjaye.
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