President Obama's 'Amazing Grace' Moment: A Decade Since Charleston Tragedy

Charleston, SC – Ten years ago today, on June 26, 2015, former President Barack Obama delivered a powerful eulogy for the victims of the tragic Charleston church shooting, a hate crime that claimed nine lives, including that of state senator Reverend Clementa Pinckney. During the solemn ceremony, President Obama moved attendees and viewers worldwide when he spontaneously began to sing the hymn 'Amazing Grace.' Reflecting on the concept of grace, Obama spoke of the resilience of the families who had lost loved ones and the grace that Reverend Pinckney embodied in his sermons. He emphasized the transformative power of this grace, stating, 'If we can tap that grace, everything can change.' The unexpected vocalization of the beloved hymn by the President became a defining moment of the eulogy, offering comfort and a message of hope in the wake of profound tragedy. The moment underscored the nation's collective mourning and its search for healing and understanding during a period of racial tension.