President Obama on Guantanamo Bay, a history

President Barack Obama speaks about the economy and the middle class, Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at the City Club of Cleveland. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

ACT I

June 24, 2007: Obama says Gitmo facility should close 

November 12, 2008: Guantanamo closure called Obama priority

January 21, 2009: Obama issues directive to shut down Guantanamo

ACT II

May 20, 2009: Senate Democrats reject Obama's request for funds to close Guantanamo Bay prison

September 25, 2009: White House regroups on Guantanamo

November 18, 2009: Obama says Guantanamo won't close by January

ACT III

January 29, 2010: Obama faces dwindling options in his effort to close Guantanamo Bay

April 30, 2011: Guantanamo Bay: How the White House lost the fight to close it

April 30, 2013: Obama vows a new effort to close Guantanamo Bay prison

AFTERWORD

March 18, 2015: Obama says he should have closed Guantanamo on his first day