Barack Obama

Barack Hussein Obama (born August 4, 1961) is an American politician and attorney who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, Obama was the first African-American president of the United States. He previously served as a U.S. senator from Illinois from 2005 to 2008 and as a Illinois state senator from 1997 to 2004.

Early Life and Education

Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to a Kenyan father and an American mother, Barack Obama Sr. and Stanley Ann Dunham, respectively. While the two had met while studying at the University of Hawaii, they separated when Obama was still very young, and after the divorce of his parents, his mother remarried and moved to Indonesia. An impression of his childhood origins was set, as he spent some of his early years in Jakarta, Indonesia, before returning to Honolulu to stay with his maternal grandparents. He attended Punahou School, an elite private school in Honolulu.

Following high schooling, Obama went to Occidental College before transferring to Columbia University in 1983 for a degree in political science, graduating in 1985. Upon graduating, he worked as a community organizer in Chicago before being accepted to Harvard Law School, where he would become the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review. He finished Harvard in 1991. 

Political Career 

Illinois Senate (1997-2004)

In 1996, Obama was elected representing Illinois state Senate's 13th district on the south side of Chicago. During his tenure, he worked on ethics legislation, health care reform, and increased tax credits for low-income families. He earned a reputation for working with both Democrats and Republicans.

U.S. Senate (2005-2008)

In 2004, Obama delivered a keynote address to the Democratic National Convention, which catapulted him to fame. Later that year, Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate, representing the state of Illinois. His legislative efforts in the Senate included lobbying reform, nuclear nonproliferation, and veteran health care. 

Presidential Campaigns and Presidency 

2008 Presidential Election 

Barack Obama declared his candidacy for the presidency in 2007. he was opposed by Hillary Clinton during a tough primary contest. Obviously, he became the Democratic Party nominee by running on hope and change. Obama came out victorious against Republican Senator John McCain with 365 electoral votes to McCain's 173 in the general election.

First Term (2009-2013)

He was sworn into office during the Great Recession which is the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Amongst some laws passed during that time, there was the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act meant to stimulate the economy. In 2010, he signed into law a major reform of the health care system known as the Affordable Care Act which aims to increase access to insurance and make it more affordable.

In foreign affairs, while he ordered additional deployments to Afghanistan and oversaw an operation that killed Osama Bin Laden, His foreign conflict record soon became contested. His administration's efforts to further relations with other countries led to him being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009.

2012 Presidential Election and second term (2013-2017)

Obama was re-elected in 2012, defeating Republican candidate Mitt Romney, 332 electoral votes to 206. His second term stood out for addressing climate change, which included the signature of the Paris agreement in 2016, and pursuing immigration reform. Domestically, he was curtailed in passing any major legislation because a major proportion of Congress was managed by Republicans.

One of the hallmarks of the second term was the administration's diplomatic opening toward Cuba, so far the first steps toward normalization after more than 50 years of antagonism. He also played a major role in the negotiation of the Iran nuclear deal in 2015, which aimed to limit Iran's nuclear capabilities in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. 

Post-Presidency 

After leaving office in January 2017, Obama and his family remained active in public life. He focused on writing, including the publication of his memoir, A Promised Land, in 2020, and engaging in philanthropy through the Obama Foundation. Obama continues to speak on speak on issues such as climate change, voter rights, and leadership, and remains a prominent figure within the Democratic Party. 

Personal Life 

Obama married Michael Robinson in 1992. The couple has two daughters, Malia and Sasha. Known for his love of basketball and reading, Obama has remained a popular figure worldwide, celebrated for his oratory skills and message of hope and unity.