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, Barack Obama Sr., and an American mother, Stanley Ann Dunham. His parents met while studying at the University of Hawaii, but they separated when he was young, and his mother later remarried an Indonesian man. Obama spent part of his childhood in Jakarta, Indonesia, before returning to Hawaii to live with maternal grandparents. He attended Punahou School, a prestigious private school in Honolulu. 

Obama went on to study at Occidental College in Los Angeles, later transferring to Columbia university in New York, where he earned a degree in political science in 1983. After graduation, he worked as a community organizer in Chicago before attending Harvard Law School, where he became the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review. He graduated from Harvard in 1991.

Political Career 

Illinois Senate (1997-2004)

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

U.S. Senate (2005-2008)

In 2004, Obama delivered the keynote address at the Democratic national Convention, which brought him national recognition. Later that year, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, representing Illinois. His time in the Senate was marked by efforts to pass legislation on topics such as lobbying reform, nuclear nonproliferation, and veteran's health care. 

Presidential Campaigns and Presidency 

2008 Presidential Election 

In 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for president of the United States. Running on a platform of hope and change, he won the Democratic after a competitive primary against Hillary Clinton. Obama then defeated Republican Senator John McCain in the 2008 general election, winning 365 electoral votes to McCain's 173.

First Term (2009-2013)

Obama was inaugurated on January 20, 2009, amidst the Great Recession, the most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression. His administration passed a series of measures to stimulate the economy, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In 2010, Obama signed into law the Affordable care Act (ACA), a comprehensive health care reform bill aimed at expanding access to insurance and reducing health costs. 

In foreign policy, Obama ordered a surge of U.S. troops in Afghanistan and oversaw the operation that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden in 2011. His administration also worked to improve relations with several countries, and he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009, though his record in foreign conflict remained a point of contention. 

2012 Presidential Election and Second Term (2013-2017)

Obama was re-elected in 2012, defeating Republican candidate Mitt Romney with 332 electoral votes to Romney's 206. His second term was marked by efforts to address climate change, including signing the Paris Agreement in 2016, and working towards immigration reform. Domestically, Obama faced opposition from a Republican-controlled Congress, limiting his ability to pass major legislation. 

One of the hallmarks of his second term was administration's diplomatic opening to Cuba, marking  the first steps toward normalization of relations after more than 50 years of hostility. He also played a key role in negotiating the Iran nuclear deal in 2015, which aimed to limit Iran's nuclear capabilities in exchange for lifting 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.