On this day in 1865, Union soldiers reached the final outposts of Galveston, Texas with the news that the Civil War had ended; that the words of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation would be made real; and that the very ideals of liberty, justice, and equal citizenship under the law embedded in the Constitution were closer to being fully realized.
Juneteenth is a commemoration of progress. But it’s also a reminder that words on paper are not always enough, and that, as far as we’ve come, we still have many miles to go in our march towards a more perfect union. So let’s keep pushing – building on the work of the generations who came before us and making sure that the arc of the moral universe continues to bend towards justice.
Willie Mays wasn’t just a singular athlete, blessed with an unmatched combination of grace, skill and power. He was also a wonderfully warm and generous person — and an inspiration to an entire generation. I’m lucky to have spent time with him over the years, and Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to his family.
Happy Father’s Day! The most fulfilling job I’ve ever had is being Sasha and Malia’s dad. To all those lucky enough to take on the role of being a father, I hope you enjoy your day.
Earlier this week, I was in Chicago to check on the progress being made at the Obama Presidential Center.
To everyone who’s been a part of making the Center a reality, thank you for your dedication, professionalism, and hard work. Michelle and I could not be more grateful.
Ten years ago, I had a chance to meet veterans of D-Day in Normandy. On this 80th anniversary, let’s remember the brave service members who stormed those beaches despite long odds, and whose example continues to show us the way.
My mom Marian Robinson was my rock, always there for whatever I needed. She was the same steady backstop for our entire family, and we are heartbroken to share she passed away today. We wanted to offer some reflections on her remarkable life:
Today, President Biden put forward a clear, realistic and just plan to establish an immediate ceasefire and end the war in Gaza - a plan that ensures Israel’s security, returns hostages taken on October 7th to their families, increases aid into Gaza and relieves the suffering of Palestinian civilians, and engages Israelis, Palestinians, Arab countries and the broader international community in the process of rebuilding Gaza.
A ceasefire alone won’t ease the terrible pain of Israelis whose loved ones were butchered or abducted by Hamas, or the Palestinians whose families have been shattered by the subsequent war. It won’t resolve the longstanding conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, or answer contentious issues surrounding a two-state solution or continuing settler activity in the West Bank. But what it can do is put a stop to the ongoing bloodshed, help families reunite and allow a surge of humanitarian aid to help desperate, hungry people. It can save lives, here and now - and it can lay the foundation for what will be a long and difficult road to a future in which Israel is secure and at peace with its neighbors, and Palestinians finally have the security, freedom and self-determination that they have sought for so long.
As the tragedy in Gaza has unfolded over the past eight months, we’ve witnessed an often fierce public debate here at home - and around the world - regarding how the United States should respond. But no matter where each of us stand in these broader debates, an enduring ceasefire is something we should all support - for the sake of Israelis, Palestinians and the world at large. I am deeply encouraged by the steady, tireless efforts of President Biden, Secretary of State Tony Blinken and our diplomatic team to bring this awful war to an end.
This Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month, we wanted to share the story of Ashley Johnson – a leader in our @ObamaFoundation Leaders USA program who is using her talents to create change.
Ashley is a Hawai’i native who founded Mohala Eyewear. For every pair of glasses she sells, she donates to Room to Read – an organization in our @GirlsOpportunityAlliance Network – that helps girls around the world stay in school and learn how to read.
Check out her inspiring story:
When Brian Wallach was diagnosed with ALS, he was given six months to live. He and his wife Sandra Abrevaya had just brought their second daughter home from the hospital.
At the time, it would have been easy for Brian and Sandra to withdraw from the world or give into despair, but that’s not what they did.
Instead, they decided to go out and make something happen – building an extraordinary movement that has brought people together and encouraged many to take action around ALS to ultimately bring us closer to finding a cure.
Today, @alsyougone and @abrevayasandra ’s film, For Love & Life: No Ordinary Campaign, is available on Prime Video. It chronicles their incredible journey, and proves that all of us are far more powerful than we know. You can get involved with their work at IAmALS.org.
One of the greatest honors of my life was the privilege of serving as commander-in-chief, and with pride also came sometimes heartbreak and loss. And the sober recognition of the sacrifices that so many Americans and their families have made to preserve our freedom.
On Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We owe them so much, and their memories will never be forgotten.
Today marks 70 years since the Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education, outlawing racial segregation in America’s schools.
Let’s honor the memory of the civil rights leaders, families, and children who took extraordinary risks in order to make our schools – and ultimately our country – more fair and more free. And at a time when our public schools are growing more segregated, let’s remember that our work isn’t done until every child can get an education worthy of their promise.
