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Barack Obama prepares for farewell address in Chicago Barack Obama prepares for farewell address in Chicago
(about 1 hour later)
US President Barack Obama is set to give a farewell speech in Chicago that will reflect on his time in office.US President Barack Obama is set to give a farewell speech in Chicago that will reflect on his time in office.
He said he wanted to return to "where it all started" for him and First Lady Michelle Obama, instead of delivering the speech from the White House.He said he wanted to return to "where it all started" for him and First Lady Michelle Obama, instead of delivering the speech from the White House.
The country's first black president, now 55, was first elected in 2008 on a progressive message of hope and change.The country's first black president, now 55, was first elected in 2008 on a progressive message of hope and change.
His successor, President-elect Donald Trump, has vowed to undo some of Mr Obama's signature policy achievements.His successor, President-elect Donald Trump, has vowed to undo some of Mr Obama's signature policy achievements.
Mr Trump will be sworn into office on 20 January.Mr Trump will be sworn into office on 20 January.
Returning to Chicago, where he first declared victory in 2008, Mr Obama will deliver a parting message to Americans after a divisive and vicious election campaign which led to Mr Trump's victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton.Returning to Chicago, where he first declared victory in 2008, Mr Obama will deliver a parting message to Americans after a divisive and vicious election campaign which led to Mr Trump's victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton.
The speech will aim to speak to everyone in America, including Trump supporters, White House officials say.The speech will aim to speak to everyone in America, including Trump supporters, White House officials say.
President Obama is scheduled to speak at 21:00 EST (02:00 GMT).President Obama is scheduled to speak at 21:00 EST (02:00 GMT).
"We've made America a better, stronger place for the generations that will follow," he wrote in a Facebook post previewing the speech."We've made America a better, stronger place for the generations that will follow," he wrote in a Facebook post previewing the speech.
"We've run our leg in a long relay of progress, knowing that our work will always be unfinished."We've run our leg in a long relay of progress, knowing that our work will always be unfinished.
"And we've reaffirmed the belief that we can make a difference with our own hands, in our own time.''"And we've reaffirmed the belief that we can make a difference with our own hands, in our own time.''
Mr Obama said he would look back to his early years, when he worked as a community organiser in the city.Mr Obama said he would look back to his early years, when he worked as a community organiser in the city.
Did Obama really improve race relations?Did Obama really improve race relations?
Obama's presidency: Grades A to FObama's presidency: Grades A to F
More than 20,000 people are expected to attend the farewell address at McCormick Place, the largest convention centre in North America and the venue for Mr Obama's speech after he defeated Mitt Romney in the 2012 election.More than 20,000 people are expected to attend the farewell address at McCormick Place, the largest convention centre in North America and the venue for Mr Obama's speech after he defeated Mitt Romney in the 2012 election.
The tickets were given out free, but are now selling online for more than $1,000 each. The tickets were given out free, but are now selling online for more than $1,000 (£820) each.
First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden will be in attendance.First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden will be in attendance.
Mr Obama was also expected to try and rally the spirits of beleaguered Democrats, still reeling from Hillary Clinton's election loss in November.Mr Obama was also expected to try and rally the spirits of beleaguered Democrats, still reeling from Hillary Clinton's election loss in November.
"It's not going to be like an anti-Trump speech, it's not going to be a red meat, rabble-rousing thing, it will be statesman-like but it will also be true to him," lead speechwriter Cody Keenan told the AFP news agency"It's not going to be like an anti-Trump speech, it's not going to be a red meat, rabble-rousing thing, it will be statesman-like but it will also be true to him," lead speechwriter Cody Keenan told the AFP news agency
"It will tell a story.""It will tell a story."
Democrat supporters gathering in Chicago told the BBC they were looking to Mr Obama to provide some hope and guidance for them.
"I know that he will squash some of the fear that America has about the President-elect Trump," Aretha Glasper said. "I know that he's gracious enough to offer his help going forward."
The speech has gone through various drafts since Mr Keenan first began penning it last month as Mr Obama spent the Christmas holiday in Hawaii. Speechwriters have looked to back to significant speeches by the president for inspiration, including his 2004 address at the Democratic National Convention.The speech has gone through various drafts since Mr Keenan first began penning it last month as Mr Obama spent the Christmas holiday in Hawaii. Speechwriters have looked to back to significant speeches by the president for inspiration, including his 2004 address at the Democratic National Convention.
Presidential farewell addresses have long been an American political tradition.Presidential farewell addresses have long been an American political tradition.
Former Presidents George W Bush and Bill Clinton delivered theirs from the White House, while George Bush Senior gave his at the West Point military academy.Former Presidents George W Bush and Bill Clinton delivered theirs from the White House, while George Bush Senior gave his at the West Point military academy.
President Obama leaves is viewed favourably by 57% of Americans, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Punlic Affairs Research poll, a similar level to Bill Clinton when he left office. President Obama leaves is viewed favourably by 57% of Americans, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll, a similar level to Bill Clinton when he left office.