Jackson Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

You Are America

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

1. You Are America Marker

Inscription. Look up—along the upper south and west sides of the Museum, you can see what President Obama has called some of the most significant words of his presidency.

"You are America. Unconstrained by habit and convention. Unencumbered by what is, and ready to seize what ought to be. Everywhere in this country, there are first steps to be taken, there's new ground to cover, there are more bridges to be crossed.

America is not the project of any one person. The single-most powerful word in our democracy is the word 'We.' 'We The People.' 'We Shall Overcome.' 'Yes We Can.' That word is owned by no one. It belongs to everyone.

Oh, what a glorious task we are given, to continually try to improve this great nation of ours."

President Barack Obama
Selma, Alabama
March 7, 2015

Where Destiny Was Decided Selma, Alabama, 2015
President Obama joined Congressman John Lewis and other civil rights leaders to mark the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches, a turning point of the voting rights movement. In his remarks that day, President Obama reminded Americans of our collective responsibility to continue their

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march toward justice.

First Steps Selma, Alabama, 1965
On March 7th, more than 500 everyday people set off on a march-but more than that-a mission to change America. Through several long days and nights, braving brutality from police and vigilantes, they protested the racist policies that denied Black Americans the right to vote.

A Path Forward Washington, DC, 1965
The power of the Selma marches, supported by the ongoing work of the Civil Rights Movement, led directly to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This law, one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation, finally made discriminatory voting practices illegal.

Erected 2026 by Barack Obama Presidential Center.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Patriots & Patriotism. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #36 Lyndon B. Johnson, the Former U.S. Presidents: #44 Barack Obama, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is March 7, 2015.

Location. 41° 47.121′ N, 87° 35.153′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

2. You Are America Marker

It is in Jackson Park. It can be reached from South Stony Island Avenue near East 60th Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is on the terrace on top of the Chicago Public Library branch that is on the campus of the Barack Obama Presidential Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6001 South Stony Island Avenue, Chicago IL 60637, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Chicago’s South Side. It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Martin Puryear, b. 1941 (a few steps from this marker); Congressman John Lewis, 2020 (within shouting distance of this marker); Acknowledging Indigenous Peoples' Land and Territory (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Let's Keep Moving (about 300

Words on the side of the Obama Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

3. Words on the side of the Obama Center

feet away); Maya Lin, b. 1959 (about 300 feet away); Ann Dunham (about 300 feet away); Julie Mehretu, b. 1970 (about 400 feet away); The First Automobile Race in America (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The right side of the marker includes styling that matches that used on the top of the building, with words used in Obama's speech.

Close-up of the photos on the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, October 17, 2026

4. Close-up of the photos on the marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.