The Smithsonian is finally opening the National Museum of African American History and Culture. And President Obama's pretty pumped about it.
At a White House reception before the opening, Obama addressed supporters of the museum like Oprah Winfrey, Harry Belafonte and Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson.
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He pointed out the significant timing of the opening, given this week's tension around police-involved shootings. He said he hopes the museum can contextualize current events and highlight the story of the African-American experience.
"It is a story that is not just part of the past, but it is alive and well today in every corner of America, and that's certainly true today in this house, a house that was built by slaves," Obama said.
The museum has been a long time in the making. Former President George W. Bush signed legislation authorizing the museum in 2003, and construction started in 2012.
The public opening of the museum is Saturday.
