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Home · Culture

These Pics From The National Museum of African American History and Culture Will Give You Serious FOMO

The opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture was one for the books. Locals and visitors flocked to Washington D.C. to witness the star studded, pride-filled day-a day that was way overdue but well received for many. Everyone from The Obamas to Oprah made sure to make an appearance, as on lookers took hundreds of selfies to document a moment in history. Check out the best photos from the weekend!

 

By Joslyn Winkfield · September 26, 2016October 26, 2020
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A Museum for Us
Grayson Haywood, Janice Haywood and Landin Haywood from Chicago attend the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture.
Paul Morigi/Getty Images
02
A Museum for Us
Louis Mendes, a NYC resident, takes polaroids of spectators and tourists surrounding the new National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images
03
A Museum for Us
Pat Weldon, a Virginia Beach local, gives the thumbs up as she waits to enter the New National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images
04
A Museum for Us
Visitors to the newly opened African American Musuem ride an escalator to an upper floor.
Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images
05
A Museum for Us
Barack Obama, and Michelle Obama, arrives for the dedication of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Astrid Riecken/Getty Images
06
A Museum for Us
Cousins from Bowie, Maryland enjoying popsicles across from the new National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images
07
A Museum for Us
Joyce Mitchelson, an Arlington, VA native, laughs as she tries to hold a yoga pose with her eyes closed as part of Yoga on the Mall while she waits for her chance to go to the museum.
Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images
08
A Museum for Us
A family from f Jacksonville, North Carolina, traveled the opening day of the new National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images
09
A Museum for Us
Dave Chappelle attends the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Monica Morgan/WireImage
10
A Museum for Us
An outside view of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Monica Morgan/WireImage
11
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Ericka(CQ) Hart performing during the festivites of the new National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images
12
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Patti LaBelle attends the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Monica Morgan/WireImage
13
A Museum for Us
Hundreds of people enjoy a performance from Public Enemy during the Freedom Sounds concert on the National Mall.
Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images
14
A Museum for Us
Robert L. Johnson and Donnie Simpson attends the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Monica Morgan/WireImage
15
A Museum for Us
Janice Woodward, and her daughter, Landyn and son Grayson, listen to President Barack Obama during the dedication of the grand opening of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images
16
A Museum for Us
Shirley Kinsey and Bernard Kinsey attends the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Monica Morgan/WireImage
17
A Museum for Us
Henry Louis Gates attends the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Monica Morgan/WireImage
18
A Museum for Us
Janelle Monae attends the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Monica Morgan/WireImage
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President Obama and four generations of the Bonner family, who are descendants of slaves, stand together to have their picture taken after ringing the First Baptist Church Bell to officially open the museum.
Astrid Riecken/Getty Images
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Lonnie Bunch, founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, smiles after speaking at the opening.
Olivier Douliery/Pool via Bloomberg
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Angela Bassett and Robert DeNiro speak during the dedication of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Astrid Riecken/Getty Images
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President Barack Obamaand first lady Michelle Obama greet George and Laura Bush.
Astrid Riecken/Getty Images
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Jesse Jackson attends the dedication of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Astrid Riecken/Getty Images
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Gayle King arrives at the Museum of American History for the dedication ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Monica Morgan/WireImage
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Andre Holland, Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo, Ava Duvernay and Gugu Mbatha-Raw attends the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Monica Morgan/WireImage
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Eugene J. Richardson Jr. arrives at the American History Museum for the dedication ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Monica Morgan/WireImage
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Samuel L. Jackson arrives at the Museum of American History for the dedication ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Monica Morgan/WireImage
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Chris Tucker arrives at the Museum of American History for the dedication ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Monica Morgan/WireImage
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A Museum for Us
Oprah Winfrey arrives at the Museum of American History for the dedication ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Monica Morgan/WireImage
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Janice Haywood, and daughter Landyn, natives of Chicago, look on with pride at the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Leigh Vogel/WireImage
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People stand by the Washington Monument during the opening ceremony of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Leigh Vogel/WireImage
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A Museum for Us
President Barack Obama speaks at the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Olivier Douliery/Pool via Bloomberg
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A Museum for Us
Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith speak at the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images
34
A Museum for Us
Naledi, a visitor from Botswana, attends the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture.
Paul Morigi/Getty Images
35
A Museum for Us
Patti LaBelle performs “A Change is Gonna Come” during the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images
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A Museum for Us
A woman raises a fist in the air as a bell is rung to mark the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum Of African American History & Culture.
Paul Morigi/Getty Images
37
A Museum for Us
A woman smiles as a bell is rung to mark the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum Of African American History & Culture.
Paul Morigi/Getty Images
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A Museum for Us
Stevie Wonder performs “Visions” during the opening ceremony of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images

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