Barack Obama served as the 44th President of the United States. His story is the American story — values from the heartland, a middle-class upbringing in a strong family, hard work and education as the means of getting ahead, and the conviction that a life so blessed should be lived in service to others.
Early Life and Education
Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His father, Barack Sr., was a Kenyan economist, and his mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, was a student from Kansas. Obama’s parents divorced when he was young, and he was raised by his mother and maternal grandparents.
Obama attended Punahou School in Honolulu on a scholarship. After graduating, he attended Occidental College in Los Angeles for two years before transferring to Columbia University, where he studied political science and international relations.
Community Organizer and Law Career
After graduating from Columbia University in 1983, Obama worked in New York City before becoming a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago. He worked with churches to improve housing conditions and set up job-training programs in a community affected by steel mill closures.
In 1988, Obama enrolled in Harvard Law School, where he became the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review. After graduating, he returned to Chicago and joined a law firm specializing in civil rights.
Political Career and Presidency
In 1996, Obama was elected to the Illinois Senate, and in 2004, he was elected to the U.S. Senate. At the Democratic National Convention in 2004, he delivered a keynote address that gained national attention.
In 2008, Obama was elected as the 44th President of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the office. During his presidency, he faced challenges such as the economic collapse, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the threat of terrorism.
Obama signed several significant bills during his first term, including an omnibus bill to stimulate the economy, legislation to make healthcare more accessible and affordable, and legislation to reform the nation’s financial institutions. He was reelected in 2012 and focused on issues such as climate change, nuclear disarmament, and improving relations with Cuba.
Post-Presidency
After leaving office in January 2017, Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, returned to their lives as private citizens. Obama has continued to be involved in political and social issues through his foundation, the Obama Foundation, and has published several books, including “Dreams from My Father” and “The Audacity of Hope.”
FAQs
Q: When was Barack Obama president?
A: Barack Obama served as the 44th President of the United States from January 20, 2009, to January 20, 2017.
Q: What were some of Barack Obama’s accomplishments as president?
A: Some of Barack Obama’s accomplishments as president include signing the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, passing financial reform legislation, overseeing the killing of Osama bin Laden, and signing a climate change agreement with 195 nations.
Q: What is Barack Obama doing now?
A: After leaving office, Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, returned to their lives as private citizens. Obama has continued to be involved in political and social issues through his foundation, the Obama Foundation, and has published several books.
Q: What is the Obama Foundation?
A: The Obama Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by Barack and Michelle Obama. Its mission is to inspire and empower people to change their communities and the world through programs and initiatives focused on leadership development, civic engagement, and community organizing.
Q: What books has Barack Obama written?
A: 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.”