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What you missed at the African American Museum’s grand opening

See how people responded to the NMAAHC’s grand opening this past weekend with the below tweets, Instagram posts, and photos

Rendering via Smithsonian Institution

For the first time, the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) opened its doors to the public. This Saturday, the grand opening was celebrated with performances by artists like Public Enemy as well as appearances and speeches from U.S. President Barack Obama, former U.S. President George W. Bush, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, and celebrities Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith.

To honor the opening, the Smithsonian also hosted the music festival, "Freedom Sounds: A Community Celebration," focusing only on participants that originated in African American communities.

Any visitors interested in getting an inside look at the museum could only enter if they signed up for free timed entry passes weeks before. The next passes available are for the months of December and January, according to Smithsonian Magazine.

To see all of the speeches and performances that occurred during the dedication ceremony on September 24, see the video below.

#MakingHistory and enjoying the grand opening festivities at the Smithsonian Museum of African American History & Culture. #NMAAHC

A photo posted by Sickle Cell Foundation of MN (@sicklecellmn) on

Public Enemy!! #freedomsounds #nmaahc #fightthepower

A photo posted by Chase Robinson (@chase_robinson10) on

The @queenofkatwemovie contingency at the @NMAAHC Gala. #APeoplesJourney #Queening #DavidOyelowo @TendoNagenda

A photo posted by Lupita Nyong'o (@lupitanyongo) on

National Museum of African American History and Culture

1400 Constitution Avenue Northwest, , DC 20560 (844) 750-3012 Visit Website