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Barack Hussein Obama II (born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44th President of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he made history as the first African-American president. Before his presidency, Obama represented Illinois as a U.S. Senator from 2005 to 2008 and served as an Illinois State Senator from 1997 to 2004.

Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He graduated from Columbia University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and later worked as a community organizer in Chicago. In 1988, he enrolled at Harvard Law School, where he became the first black president of the Harvard Law Review. Obama pursued a career as a civil rights attorney and academic, teaching constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004. He also ventured into elective politics, representing the 13th district in the Illinois Senate from 1997 until 2004, when he successfully ran for the U.S. Senate. In the 2008 presidential election, after a close primary campaign against Hillary Clinton, he was nominated by the Democratic Party for president. Obama and his running mate, Joe Biden, defeated the Republican nominees, John McCain and Sarah Palin.

Barack Obama's early life was marked by a diverse and multicultural upbringing. He was born to Barack Obama Sr., a Kenyan economist, and Ann Dunham, an American anthropologist, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His parents separated when he was two years old, and they eventually divorced. His mother later married Lolo Soetoro, an Indonesian man, and the family moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, where Obama lived from ages six to ten. This period in Indonesia exposed him to a wide range of experiences and cultures, shaping his global perspective.

In 1971, Obama returned to Hawaii to live with his maternal grandparents, Madelyn and Stanley Dunham. He attended the prestigious Punahou School on a scholarship, where he excelled academically and graduated in 1979. After high school, Obama moved to Los Angeles to attend Occidental College. He later transferred to Columbia University in New York City, where he majored in political science with a focus on international relations. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983.

Obama's pursuit of higher education continued at Harvard Law School, where he became the first African American president of the prestigious Harvard Law Review in 1990. This achievement brought him national recognition and laid the foundation for his future career in law and politics. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard in 1991.

Barack Obama's career began in community organizing in Chicago, where he worked with local churches and non-profits to improve living conditions in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. His work as a community organizer from 1985 to 1988 gave him firsthand experience in grassroots activism and the challenges faced by marginalized communities.

After graduating from Harvard Law School, Obama returned to Chicago and joined the law firm of Miner, Barnhill & Galland, where he specialized in civil rights litigation and neighborhood economic development. He also taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004.

Obama's political career began with his election to the Illinois State Senate in 1996. During his time in the state senate, he worked on a range of issues, including healthcare, ethics reform, and early childhood education. His ability to build bipartisan coalitions and his eloquent speaking style garnered attention and respect.

In 2004, Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate, representing Illinois. His keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention that year catapulted him to national prominence. As a senator, he focused on issues such as veterans' affairs, foreign policy, and government transparency. His opposition to the Iraq War distinguished him from many of his colleagues and resonated with the American public.

In 2008, Obama announced his candidacy for the presidency. His campaign, centered on themes of hope and change, energized a diverse coalition of voters. He won the Democratic nomination and went on to defeat Republican nominee John McCain in the general election. Obama's presidency was characterized by significant legislative accomplishments, including the Affordable Care Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

Obama's foreign policy achievements include the killing of Osama bin Laden, the architect of the September 11 attacks, the signing of the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia, and the normalization of diplomatic relations with Cuba. He also played a key role in the international agreement to limit Iran's nuclear program.

Barack Obama's presidency left an indelible mark on American society and the world. Domestically, his most notable achievement was the passage of the Affordable Care Act, which expanded healthcare coverage to millions of Americans and introduced significant reforms to the healthcare system. His administration also implemented policies to combat climate change, including the Clean Power Plan and the Paris Agreement.

Obama's efforts to promote social justice and equality were evident in his support for marriage equality, criminal justice reform, and efforts to address systemic racism. His presidency inspired a new generation of activists and political leaders, particularly within the African American community and other marginalized groups.

On the global stage, Obama's approach to foreign policy emphasized diplomacy, multilateralism, and the rebuilding of alliances. His administration's pivot to Asia, efforts to combat terrorism, and initiatives to address global health issues, such as the Ebola outbreak, underscored his commitment to international cooperation.

Since leaving office, Obama has continued to be an influential figure in public life. He and his wife, Michelle Obama, established the Obama Foundation, which focuses on civic engagement, leadership development, and community building. He has also remained active in political discourse, advocating for voting rights, democratic norms, and social justice issues.

Obama's legacy is one of hope, change, and progress. His presidency broke barriers and set new standards for what is possible in American politics. As he continues to engage with the world through his foundation and public speaking, his influence is likely to endure, shaping future generations of leaders and activists.

1. "President Barack Obama". The White House. 2008. Archived from the original on October 26, 2009. Retrieved December 12, 2008.
2. "President Obama's Long Form Birth Certificate". whitehouse.gov. April 27, 2011. Archived from the original on July 31, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
3. "Certificate of Live Birth: Barack Hussein Obama II, August 4, 1961, 7:24 pm, Honolulu" (PDF). whitehouse.gov. April 27, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017 – via National Archives.
4. Maraniss, David (August 24, 2008). "Though Obama had to leave to find himself, it is Hawaii that made his rise possible". The Washington Post. p. A22. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2008.
5. Nakaso, Dan (December 22, 2008). "Twin sisters, Obama on parallel paths for years". The Honolulu Advertiser. p. B1. Archived from the original on January 29, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
6. Barreto, Amílcar Antonio; O'Bryant, Richard L. (November 12, 2013). "Introduction". American Identity in the Age of Obama. Taylor & Francis. pp. 18–19. ISBN 978-1-317-93715-9. Retrieved May 8, 2017.