Here in New York City, local and federal officials gathered to unveil the Stonewall Inn as the first national monument to LGBTQ rights. In 1969, the inn was the site of a police raid that triggered an uprising and helped launch the modern-day LGBTQ rights movement. Speaking Monday, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio thanked the Obama administration for the historic designation.

Mayor Bill de Blasio: “Brothers and sisters, I want to report to you that this time the government got it right. Something very good is happening today here in New York City. And I want to say on behalf of eight-and-a-half million New Yorkers, thank you, President Obama. Thank you for helping this nation forward, because this monument is part of our healing. It’s part of making us really one country.”