WATCH: Barack and Michelle Obama open the Obama Presidential Center with Springsteen and Stevie Wonder

Former President Barack Obama, accompanied by three former presidents, celebrated the opening of his Presidential Museum in Chicago in an extraordinary event on Thursday that brought together politicians, celebrities, athletes and other internationally known figures.

Watch the full concert in the video player above.

Bono, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony and Eddie Vedder took turns on stage in front of Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder.

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“I hope this center serves as an affirmation of how important and important our democracy is, and reminds us of what we can achieve when we embrace our shared responsibilities as citizens,” Obama told the crowd.

President Donald Trump was conspicuous in his physical absence and in his lack of mention by any of the speakers or performers. Trump called the $850 million center a “total disaster” in a social media post in February.

Obama expressed his support for character, honesty, integrity, kindness, compassion and a sense of duty, and praised Democrats and Republicans alike, including those he defeated.

“Every president here today, as different as we are, has done their best to support the values ​​that John McCain and Mitt Romney believed in no less than I believed in,” Obama said. “It is our greatest legacy.”

Reflecting on his arrival in Chicago in 1985 as an untested political organizer, Obama said he could not have built the center anywhere else. He met his future wife Michelle nearby, their wedding was within walking distance, his children were born in the neighborhood and he launched his first candidacy not far away.

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Obama said: “It is an expression of thanks, and an acknowledgment that I owe many things dear to my heart to the people of this city and the residents of the surrounding neighborhoods.”

Michelle had some emotional words for her husband

Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters shared the stage with former Presidents Joe Biden, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton along with former First Ladies Jill Biden, Laura Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Former Vice President Kamala Harris also attended.

Michelle Obama spoke directly to her husband when she took the stage. “Eight years in the crucible and not once did it melt in the heat. Not once did I let it harden.

“Instead, you used it to reveal your true essence,” she said. “Your stubborn optimism and unwavering courage. Your dazzling brilliance and humble decency. Your fierce work ethic and absolutely unwavering moral fiber. And to do it all as a priority.”

She recounted the highlights of her husband’s eight years in office, including ordering the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, “standing up for marriage equality” and “listening to science.”

“And she did it all with such grace and sophistication and grace,” she said. “You made the most difficult task in the world seem like a walk in this beautiful park.”

Obama seemed to wipe away his tears as she praised him.

Michelle Obama also noted current “times of anxiety and division” and warned against cynicism or complacency because “everything seems upside down.” She pitched the center as “a respite from it all.”

Top notch artists sang inspirational anthems and protest songs

Jennifer Hudson sang the national anthem and Aguilera performed “What a Wonderful World.” Pearl Jam Vedder, joined by Chicago teens for the non-profit Guitars Over Guns, sang an original song called “Better Believe,” written just for the dedication.

Legend sang “One Day We’ll All Be Free” and was joined by rappers Common and Uniting Voices Chicago for their Oscar-winning song “Glory.”

Bono, who said he was there representing the Irish, joined The Edge in singing U2’s song “City of Blinding Lights.” The Roots served as a house band. Springsteen sang “Land of Hopes and Dreams” before turning to the Obamas and saying, “I love you.”

Wonder sang “All I Do” and “Signed, Sealed, Deliver (I’m Yours)” while the Obamas smiled, danced in their seats and sang along. Wonder then brought the other performers back to the stage to close with a rousing rendition of “Higher Ground.”

Attendees at the event included several potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates; civil rights leaders Andrew Young and Al Sharpton; Oprah Winfrey; comedians David Letterman, Conan O’Brien and Stephen Colbert; Actor Tom Hanks; Tennis legend Billie Jean King and Chicago Cubs president Tom Ricketts.

Former world leaders, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were among those in attendance.

The event kicked off on the weekend to celebrate

The invitation-only celebration was broadcast live and kicks off a weekend of events centered around the Obama Presidential Center, which opens its doors to the general public on Juneteenth. Thousands of others watched from a nearby park.

“This is not a memorial to the Obama family,” said Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation and a former senior Obama adviser. “This is a tribute to all those who made this journey possible.”

The opening, like the ribbon cuttings for other presidential libraries over the years, was heavily focused on accomplishments. This former president also expressed some regrets, such as increased political polarization during his two terms in office. “One of the few regrets of my presidency is that the rancor and suspicion between the two parties has become worse rather than better,” Obama said in his final State of the Union address.

“Some of the exhibits reflect unfinished business,” Obama said on Thursday. “In some cases, my flaws and mistakes.”

General admission tickets to the center are sold out until the end of October. More than one million visitors are expected to visit the 20-acre campus annually.

Associated Press writer Mike Catalini contributed to this report from Washington, D.C