Barack Hussein Obama II was born on August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is the 44th president of the United States and the first African American to hold the office. His parents were Barack H. Obama, Sr., and Stanley Ann Dunham. Obama’s parents divorced when he was 2 years old, and he was raised by his mother and maternal grandparents. He has several siblings on his father’s side.
Early Life and Education
Obama moved with his family to Indonesia in 1967, where he attended local Indonesian schools and received additional lessons via U.S. correspondence courses. He returned to Hawaii in 1971 and attended Punahou School, from which he graduated in 1979. Obama then attended Occidental College in Los Angeles before transferring to Columbia University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1983.
Community Organizing and Law School
After graduation, Obama briefly worked as an analyst at Business International Corporation in New York City before changing his career direction toward community service organizing. He relocated to Chicago, Illinois, in 1985 and accepted a job with the Developing Communities Project. After three years of community organizing, Obama enrolled in Harvard Law School. He graduated magna cum laude in 1991 and returned to Chicago to work as an associate at a law firm.
Political Career
In 1996, Obama was elected to the Illinois State Senate. He served as a State Senator until 2004 when he was elected as the junior Senator from Illinois. In 2008, Obama announced his candidacy for President of the United States and was elected as the 44th President. He served two terms from 2009 to 2017.
Presidential Administration
During his presidency, Obama focused on domestic and foreign policy issues. He signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to stimulate the economy and create jobs. He also signed the Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare,” which aimed to improve access to healthcare coverage. In terms of foreign policy, Obama worked to draw down American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and combat terrorism, including the operation that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden.
Post-Presidency
After leaving office, Obama returned to private life. He has published several books, including “Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance,” “The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream,” and “Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to my Daughters.” Obama continues to be involved in political and social issues through his foundation, the Obama Foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who were Barack Obama’s parents?
Barack Obama’s parents were Barack H. Obama, Sr., and Stanley Ann Dunham.
Where did Barack Obama attend school?
Barack Obama attended Punahou School in Hawaii, Occidental College in Los Angeles, and Columbia University in New York City. He also attended Harvard Law School.
What did Barack Obama do for a living?
Before entering politics, Barack Obama worked as a community organizer, a lawyer, and a professor. He also served as a state senator and a U.S. senator before becoming the 44th President of the United States.
What did Barack Obama write?
Barack Obama has written several books, including “Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance,” “The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream,” and “Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to my Daughters.”
What is Barack Obama famous for?
Barack Obama is famous for being the first African American to be elected as President of the United States. He served two terms from 2009 to 2017.
Are DACA and the DREAM Act supported by Barack Obama good for America?
Barack Obama supported the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and the DREAM Act, which aimed to provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. The impact of these policies on America is a subject of debate and depends on individual perspectives.