Washington, D.C. - Described by master of ceremonies, Phylicia Rashad, as a milestone moment, President Obama, along with a host of other distinguished guests, attended the groundbreaking on what will become the National Museum of African American History and Culture. In his remarks, President Obama shared the significance this moment will have for generations to come:
"As has been mentioned, it was on this ground long ago that lives were once traded; where hundreds of thousands once marched for jobs and for freedom. It was here that the pillars of our democracy were built often by Black hands. And it is on this spot - alongside the monuments to those who gave birth to this nation, and those who worked so hard to perfect it - that generations will remember the sometimes difficult, often inspirational, but always central role that African Americans have played in the life of our country."
The world is still trying to recover after the devastating news of Whitney Houston's passing. Words cannot adequately describe what she meant to the world of music. Her talents were incomparable. Her influence, unquestioned. Her iconic status, undeniable.
There will never be another Whitney Houston.
Her angelic voice has been called home. May she rest in peace.
Washington, D.C. - Hollywood and history came together as the White House held a screening of the motion picture "Red Tails" for the legendary airmen who broke down barriers in defense of their country. Take a look at this special event:
Washington, D.C. - President Barack Obama delivered his third State of the Union Address before a joint session of Congress Tuesday night. The speech focused on what the President has called his economic blueprint for success. Looking for a united effort to meet the challenges that face the United States, President Obama still made it clear that he would not allow political obstruction to get in the way of American success:
"The state of our Union is getting stronger. And we've come too far to turn back now. As long as I'm President, I will work with anyone in this chamber to build on this momentum. But I intend to fight obstruction with action, and I will oppose any effort to return to the very same policies that brought on this economic crisis in the first place."
After covering a variety of foreign and domestic issues from calls for a fairer tax system to ongoing diplomacy concerns in the Middle East, President Obama ended his speech with an eye towards the future and faith in the ability of the American people to conquer obstacles by working together. To drive the point home, President Obama made an analogy to the historic accomplishment of a U.S. SEAL Team taking down Osama bin Laden:
"Those of us who've been sent here to serve can learn a thing or two from the service of our troops. When you put on that uniform, it doesn't matter if you're black or white; Asian, Latino, Native American; conservative, liberal; rich, poor; gay, straight. Whan you're marching into battle, you look out for the person next to you, or the mission fails. When you're in the thick of the fight, you rise or fall as one unit, serving one nation, leaving no one behind.
One of my proudest possessions is the flag that the SEAL Team took with them on the mission to get bin Laden. On it are each of their names. Some may be Democrats. Some may be Republicans. But that doesn't matter. Just like it didn't matter that day in the Situation Room, when I sat next to Bob Gates -- a man who was George Bush's defense secretary -- and Hillary Clinton -- a woman who ran against me for president. All that mattered that day was the mission. No one thought about politics. No one thought about themselves."
President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address:
Washington, D.C. - President Obama surprised the nation, announcing that there will be an end to the nearly decade long war in Iraq. Furthermore, troops will be coming home by the end of the year:
"As a candidate for President, I pledged to bring the war in Iraq a responsible end -- for the sake of our national security and to strengthen American leadership around the world. After taking office, I announced a new strategy that would end our combat mission in Iraq and remove all of our troops by the end of 2011."
President Obama continued,
"So today, I can report that, as promised, the rest of our troops in Iraq will come home by the end of the year. After nearly nine years, America's war in Iraq will be over."
The President announced that the troops will be home for the holidays:
"Here at home, the coming months will be another season of homecomings. Across America, our servicemen and women will be reunited with their families. Today, I can say that our troops in Iraq will definitely be home for the holidays."
