“Oh happy days,” President George W. Bush said as he began his remarks to commemorate the George W. Bush Presidential Center. President Bush continued to say, “for eight years you gave me the honor of serving as your president, I’m honored to dedicate this library to the American people.”
One of the world’s most exclusive clubs was gathered in Dallas, Texas, on Thursday for the dedication of the 13th presidential library. President Obama called it “a special day for democracy,” as all five living presidents were on one stage, the first time that has happened since January 2009, before President Obama’s inauguration. “Our club is more like a support group,” President Obama said. “It’s impossible to truly understand the nature of the job until it’s yours.”
“The whole spectacle, having the five presidents and the five first ladies there–you just felt the warmth,” NBC’s Chuck Todd said on Thursday’s show. He said both President George W. Bush and President Obama were able to capture the moment. “They both sat there and figured out how to honor the presidency in a way that was uplifting for anybody who was watching,” Todd said.
While there were many special moments throughout the day’s events, one in particular was when 88 year-old George H.W. Bush, who has been ill as of late, spoke and then stood up to a roaring applause from the audience. “He is sharp as ever, just physically having a hard time right now,” Todd said.
The center, which took two years to build with the help of private donations, houses 43,000 artifacts and 70 million pages of textual materials. In the center you can find exhibits of 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the Iraq and Afghan Wars, and other events that distinguished the Bush presidency. Check out more special moments from today’s events and be sure to let us know what was your favorite moment in the “comments” section below or on our Facebook page.
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