Barack Obama
Born 1961 · Age 64
44th President of the United States (2009–2017), U.S. Senator (2005–2008), Illinois State Senator (1997–2004), community organizer, civil rights attorney, academic, and author.
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Life & Career Timeline
Parents married (Barack Obama Sr. & Ann Dunham)
Barack Obama Sr. and Stanley Ann Dunham married at the University of Hawaiʻi (this preceded Barack Obama's birth and shaped family background).
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii
Barack Hussein Obama II was born at Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women and Children in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Parents divorced
Barack Obama's parents divorced when he was about two to three years old; he was largely raised by his mother and maternal grandparents.
Mother remarried Lolo Soetoro
Stanley Ann Dunham married Indonesian student Lolo Soetoro; this marriage led to Obama's childhood years in Indonesia.
Moved to Indonesia
Obama moved with his mother and stepfather to Indonesia and attended local Indonesian-language schools for several years.
Returned to Hawaii; began attending Punahou School
Obama returned to Hawaii to live with his maternal grandparents and attended Punahou School (scholarship) from 5th grade through high school graduation.
Enrolled at Occidental College
Began undergraduate studies at Occidental College in Los Angeles (attended for two years before transferring).
Graduated Punahou School
Completed college-preparatory high school education at Punahou in Honolulu.
Transferred to Columbia University
Transferred as a junior to Columbia University in New York City to complete his B.A. in political science (international relations).
Worked at Business International Corporation
Worked briefly as a financial researcher/writer and analyst in New York after graduating from Columbia.
Graduated from Columbia University (B.A.)
Earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Columbia University (1983).
Moved to Chicago; became community organizer
Accepted a position with the Developing Communities Project on Chicago's South Side; later became Director, organizing job training, tenants rights and tutoring programs.
Enrolled at Harvard Law School (J.D.)
Left community organizing to attend Harvard Law School (entered fall 1988).
Summer associate at Sidley & Austin; met Michelle Robinson
Worked as a summer associate at Sidley & Austin in Chicago; mentored by Michelle Robinson, his future wife.
Elected first black President of Harvard Law Review
Served as president of the Harvard Law Review (1990–1991 academic year), gaining national attention.
Visiting Law & Government Fellow, University of Chicago
Accepted a two-year fellowship at the University of Chicago Law School and began work on his first book.
Graduated Harvard Law School (J.D., magna cum laude)
Completed Juris Doctor degree magna cum laude from Harvard Law School.
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer, University of Chicago Law School
Taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 until 2004 (three courses/year).
Directed Illinois Project Vote (voter registration drive)
Served as Illinois Executive Director of PROJECT VOTE!, registering large numbers of African American voters (April–October 1992).
Married Michelle Robinson
Married Michelle Robinson at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.
Joined Miner, Barnhill & Galland (civil rights law)
Hired as an associate at the civil rights law firm of Davis/Miner/Barnhill & Galland, focusing on voting rights cases.
Published 'Dreams from My Father'
Memoir 'Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance' published in 1995, bringing national attention.
Elected to Illinois State Senate (13th district)
Won election to the Illinois State Senate in 1996 and took office in January 1997; began legislative career.
Re-elected to Illinois State Senate
Won a second term in the Illinois State Senate in November 1998.
Lost Democratic primary for U.S. House (IL-1) to Bobby Rush
Made first run for U.S. Congress (Illinois First District) in 2000 and lost by a large margin to incumbent Bobby Rush.
Keynote address at 2004 Democratic National Convention
Delivered widely praised keynote speech in Boston that brought him national prominence.
Elected U.S. Senator from Illinois
Elected to the U.S. Senate in November 2004; won by a large margin and became junior senator from Illinois.
Purchased Kenwood home in Chicago
Using proceeds from book deal and other income, the Obamas purchased a $1.6 million house in Kenwood, Chicago.
Published 'The Audacity of Hope'
Second major book, 'The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream', published and became a bestseller.
Money Magazine net worth estimate
In December 2007 Money Magazine estimated Obama's net worth at about $1.3 million.
Announced candidacy for President
Formally announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president on February 10, 2007.
Accepted Democratic nomination for President
Accepted the Democratic Party nomination at Invesco Field (Denver) for the 2008 presidential election.
Elected 44th President of the United States
Defeated Republican John McCain to become the first African American president (won popular and electoral vote margin).
Resigned U.S. Senate seat
Resigned from the U.S. Senate following election to the presidency.
Inaugurated as 44th President
Sworn in as President of the United States on January 20, 2009.
Executive orders on interrogation and Guantánamo Bay
Signed EO 13491 (ensuring lawful interrogations) and EO 13492 (reviewing detainees in order to close Guantánamo Bay).
Signed Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
First law signed as president to address pay discrimination and worker protections.
Signed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
Signed stimulus package to combat the Great Recession; ARRA total was approximately $787 billion.
Nominated Sonia Sotomayor to U.S. Supreme Court
Nominated federal judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court; she became the first Hispanic justice.
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
Received the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation.
Signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Implemented sweeping health-care reforms (commonly known as Obamacare) expanding coverage and prohibiting denial for pre-existing conditions.
Signed New START treaty with Russia
Signed Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty renewing nuclear arms reduction framework with Russia (entered into force 2011).
Signed Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
Major financial-sector regulation reform in response to the 2008 financial crisis.
Signed Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act into law
Repealed the ban on openly gay/lesbian service members in the U.S. military.
Announced death of Osama bin Laden (Operation Neptune Spear)
Announced that U.S. forces conducted an operation in Pakistan resulting in the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden (raid occurred May 1–2, 2011).
Announced end of combat mission in Iraq
Announced withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq and end of major U.S. role by December 2011.
Publicly supported same-sex marriage
Became the first sitting U.S. president to publicly endorse same-sex marriage.
Directed Department of Homeland Security action creating DACA
Announced Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy as temporary executive measure for certain undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
Re-elected President (2012)
Defeated Republican Mitt Romney to win a second term (332 electoral votes to 206; ~51% of popular vote).
Second Inauguration
Official second inaugural ceremony took place on January 21, 2013 (private oath taken Jan 20).
Issued executive orders on climate preparedness and raised contractor minimum wage
Signed executive orders preparing U.S. for climate impacts and raising minimum wage for federal contractors to $10.10.
Nuclear deal reached with Iran (JCPOA)
U.S. and partners reached the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran to constrain Iran's nuclear program (deal framework reached July 2015).
Attended Paris Climate Conference; supported Paris Agreement
Attended COP21 in Paris and was a leading participant in the international climate agreement adopted in December 2015.
Visited Cuba as sitting U.S. President
Became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Cuba since 1928, as part of the normalization of relations begun in 2014–15.
2016 Election: Opponent Donald Trump elected
Republican Donald Trump won 2016 presidential election; Obama commented publicly and continued transition activities.
Post-presidency political activity & endorsements
Remained active campaigning for Democratic candidates, including later support for Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign.
Left office; became private citizen
Completed second term and left the White House on January 20, 2017; moved into private life while remaining politically active.
Founded Higher Ground Productions (with Michelle Obama)
Established production company to produce film and television content (partnering with streaming platforms).
Published 'A Promised Land'
Released presidential memoir 'A Promised Land' (2020), a major bestselling publication.
Supported Joe Biden's successful presidential bid
Actively campaigned and endorsed Joe Biden in the 2020 U.S. presidential election; Biden won the election.
Presidential library construction began in Chicago
Construction of the Barack Obama Presidential Library began on the South Side of Chicago in 2021.
Bo (family dog) died (contextual family milestone noted later)
Family pet Bo died in May 2021 (Bo was a presidential gift; included as family milestone shaping personal life).
Historian rankings place Obama among upper tier of presidents
Scholars and political scientists generally rank Obama in the upper tier of U.S. presidents in historical rankings.
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what Barack Obama and others achieved at these notable ages:
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