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HistoryTalks event brings former presidents, athletes and entertainers to Philly

The event comes ahead of the city's celebration of the 250th signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive on the South Lawn of the White House, Jan. 23, 2023, in Washington in this file photo.
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive on the South Lawn of the White House, Jan. 23, 2023, in Washington in this file photo.Read moreEvan Vucci / AP

A History Channel event at the Kimmel Center in Center City on Saturday drew former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Joe Biden.

Along with the former presidents, HistoryTalks featured conversations with, athletes like Tom Brady, and entertainers like Delaware County native Tina Fey on the stage of a packed Marian Anderson Hall.

An off-the-record conversation between Bush and his daughter Jenna Bush Hager kicked off the invitation-only event. Former Philadelphia Eagle Jason Kelce then interviewed former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, also off the record.

President Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden shared family history during their interview with author and podcast host Jay Shetty.

Biden relayed his oft-told tale about asking Jill five times to marry him before she said yes. “I wasn’t going to ask a sixth time,” he told the audience.

Philadelphia-headquartered Comcast cosponsored the event. “This is really the 250 kickoff for us,“ chairman and CEO Brian Roberts said in opening remarks, referring to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

This is a developing story that will be updated

    Harold Brubaker
    I write about the business side of health care, including hospitals, physician practices, nursing homes, and health insurance.