President Obama and former first lady Laura Bush joined Wednesday in celebrating the start of construction for the National Museum of African American History and Culture with groundbreaking ceremonies on the National Mall.

The $500 million museum, created by an act of Congress in 2003, will have the task of chronicling more than 200 years of black life in the United States.

It was first proposed by black Civil War veterans almost 100 years ago and took five special commissions and two acts of Congress later to make it a reality. Obama, the nation’s first black president, was joined by first lady Michelle Obama and other dignitaries.

USA Today; February 2, 2012

Posted in News & Events on February, 2012