The Life of Barack Obama

Born

Aug 4, 1961

Official Website of the City and County of HonoluluBorn in Honolulu, Hawaii to Ann Dunham and Barack Obama, Sr.

Moves to Jakarta, Indonesia

Aug 4, 1967

East-West Center
Barack moves with his mother and stepfather who are both students of the East-West Center.

Graduates from Punahou School

Jun 4, 1979

Obama's Alma Mater
After moving back to Hawaii to live with his maternal grandparents, Obama graduates from Punahou School with academic honors.

Obama Studies at Occidental College

Aug 24, 1979

Occidental College
Obama studies at Occidental College in Los Angelos for two years.

Obama Graduates from Columbia University

Jun 3, 1983

Columbia University
Obama spent two years at Occidental College before he transferred to Columbia University in New York City where he graduated with a degree in political science.

Obama Moves to Chicago

Oct 21, 1985

US New Article
After two years working in the private sector, the twenty-three year old Barack Obama moves to the South side of Chicago to work as a community organizer.

Obama Enters Harvard Law School

Aug 16, 1988

NY Times Article
Obama enters Harvard Law School.

Obama meets Michelle

Jul 23, 1989

Barack meets Michelle while he is interning at the law firm she has recently joined.

Obama Becomes First Black President of Harvard Law Review

Feb 5, 1990

NY Times article
Obama is elected the first black President of the Harvard Law Review.

Obama Graduates Law School

May 29, 1991

Obama graduates from Harvard Law School magna cum laude.

Obama Returns to Chicago

Oct 4, 1991

Obama moves back to Chicago where he works as a civil rights lawyer at the firm of Miner, Barnhill & Galland.

Obama marries Michelle

Oct 3, 1992

Barack Obama marries Michelle Robinson.

Obama Publishes First Book

Mar 29, 1995

Buy Book HereObama publishes his first book, Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance.

Obama Wins Illinois State Senate Seat

Nov 2, 1996

Running as a Democrat, Obama wins an Illinois State Senate Seat.

Malia Obama Born

Jul 4, 1998

The first daughter of Barack and Michelle is born.

Obama Loses Run for US House of Representatives

Jul 13, 2000

Obama loses his campaign in the primary race for a seat in the US House of Representatives to incumbent Bobby Rush.

Sasha Obama Born

Jun 10, 2001

The second daughter of Barack and Michelle is born.

Obama Speaks Out Against War in Iraq

Oct 4, 2002

At an anti-war rally in Chicago Federal Plaza, Obama delivers a speech condemming the impending war in Iraq. He is one of the first politicians to openly speak out against the war.

Obama Speaks at Democratic National Convention

Jun 22, 2004

Obama gains national attention after giving his speech in support of Sen. John Kerry at the Democractic National Convention in Boston.

Obama Wins US Senate Seat

Nov 4, 2004

Obama, winning 70% to his opponent's 27% -- the largest electoral victory in the history of the state of Illinois -- becomes a US Senator.

Obama Sworn In as US Senator

Jan 4, 2005

Obama Publishes His Second Book

Oct 21, 2006

Obama publishes his second book, The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream.

Obama Announces Bid for Presidency

Feb 10, 2007

In Springfield IL, Obama announced his bid for the presidency.

Clinton Endorses Obama

Jun 3, 2008

MSNBC.COM Article
Hillary Clinton endorses Obama's campaign for presidency.

Obama Wins Presidency

Nov 4, 2008

Obama wins the Presidential election 52.9% to McCain's 45.7%.

Obama Inaugurated as President

Jan 20, 2009

Inauguration Info
Obama is sworn in as the first black President of the United States before an estimated crowd of 1.8 million people.