On Jan. 20, 2009, Barack Obama became the first African-American President of the the United States.
A host of celebrated artists — Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, John Legend — serenaded the couple throughout the Inaugural proceedings, but it was Beyonce‘s teary-eyed performance of Etta’s James‘ “At Last” during the Neighborhood Ball that was the defining musical moment of this historic occasion. Millions around the world were riveted as they watched the first black president and first lady slow dance to the classic soul standard sung by the R&B’s most recognizable star.
Two years later the moment still leaves us with a lump in our throats.
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