Fact Check: The 65,000-square-foot museum opened in 2009 with keynote speeches from Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel and former President Bill Clinton.

Fact Check: "The 65,000-square-foot museum opened in 2009 with keynote speeches from Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel and former President Bill Clinton."

What We Know

The claim refers to the opening of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, which is indeed a 65,000-square-foot facility that opened its doors on April 19, 2009. This date was chosen to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, a significant event during the Holocaust. The museum is recognized as the largest of its kind in the Midwest and features the testimonies of approximately 2,000 Holocaust survivors, many of whom are from the Skokie area, where the museum is located (Midwest Holocaust museum opening draws thousands, Thousands attend opening of Holocaust museum).

During the opening ceremony, former President Bill Clinton delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of the museum as a place of remembrance and education. He expressed regret over the U.S. government's delayed response to genocides in other parts of the world, such as Rwanda. Elie Wiesel, a renowned Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate, also spoke at the event, sharing insights about the Holocaust and its lessons for future generations (Bill Clinton to speak at Holocaust museum opening in Chicago, Elie Wiesel Helped Open Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust, with multiple credible sources confirming the details of the museum's opening and the participation of both Elie Wiesel and Bill Clinton. The museum's establishment was a significant event, particularly in Skokie, which has historical ties to Holocaust survivors and gained notoriety in the 1970s due to a neo-Nazi group's attempt to march there. This context adds depth to the museum's mission of educating future generations and preserving the memory of the Holocaust (Thousands attend opening of Holocaust museum, Skokie To Open New Holocaust Museum).

The sources used in this fact-check are reputable news outlets and reports, including local Chicago news and international coverage, which enhances their reliability. The consistent reporting across these sources indicates a high level of confidence in the accuracy of the information presented. Additionally, the historical significance of the event and the involvement of prominent figures like Clinton and Wiesel lend further credibility to the claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that the 65,000-square-foot Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center opened in 2009 with keynote speeches from Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel and former President Bill Clinton is accurate. The details are well-documented across multiple reliable sources, confirming both the size and significance of the museum, as well as the involvement of the mentioned speakers during the opening ceremony.

Sources

1. Midwest Holocaust museum opening draws thousands
2. Thousands attend opening of Holocaust museum
3. Bill Clinton to speak at Holocaust museum opening in Chicago
4. Driver's Ed
5. Skokie To Open New Holocaust Museum
6. Elie Wiesel Helped Open Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie
7. 163;30m Holocaust museum opens in US
8. How JB Pritzker's Holocaust work fuels his dire warnings