Photo by Doug Mills/The New York Times
Somewhere between 500-and-750-thousand people ignored frigid temperatures to gather on the National Mall in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. today for the “We Are One” concert. Superstars who took part in the event included Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, U2, Usher, James Taylor, Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, and Tiger Woods.
The free concert was a big draw, but most in the crowd came to hear the next President of the United States, Barack Obama, who delivered a speech of hope and inspiration.
Photo by Doug Mills/ The New York Times
“… what gives me the greatest hope of all is not the stone and marble that surrounds us today, but what fills the spaces in between. It is you — Americans of every race and region and station who came here because you believe in what this country can be and because you want to help us get there.”
“There is no doubt that our road will be long, that our climb will be steep. But never forget that the true character of our nation is revealed not during times of comfort and ease, but by the right we do when the moment is hard. I ask you to help me reveal that character once more and, together, we can carry forward as one nation, and one people, the legacy of our forefathers that we celebrate today.”
