Today I attended the world-renowned Illinois Holocaust Museum‘s grand opening of their new wing. Among the group of distinguished guests and survivors, were keynote speakers Elie Wiesel and Bill Clinton. Have a look at some of the pictures from this monumental event.

Stephen Spielberg addressed the crowd in a video tribute.

Stephen Spielberg addressed the crowd in a video tribute.

President Obama also had a video address, along with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He praised the museum for collaborating with Holocaust survivors to create such an important center.

President Obama also had a video address, along with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He praised the museum for collaborating with Holocaust survivors to create such an important center.

Not a dry eye in the house as Elie Wiesel discussed the importance of tolerance and how people must learn from the attrocities of the past.

Not a dry eye in the house as Elie Wiesel discussed the importance of tolerance and how people must learn from the atrocities of the past.

A view of the stage that features renderings of the new wing in the background.

A view of the stage that features renderings of the new wing in the background, Elie Wiesel in the foreground.

Former President Bill Clinton delivers a captivating speech on genocide in the world today, and how we must band together to stop them.

Former President Bill Clinton delivers a captivating speech on genocide in the world today, and how we must band together to stop them.

President Clinton commended the institution for directly collaborating with survivors to create the new wing, which, he said, may be the last opportunity to create a center with the direct participation of survivors.

President Clinton commended the institution for directly collaborating with survivors to create the new wing, which, he said, may be the last opportunity to create a center with the direct participation of survivors.

Held on the anniversary of the Warsaw uprising, this historically significant event will resonate with locals and attendees alike for as long as the wing is open to the public.

Located at: 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie IL, 60077

-Ileana