Challenges in the Life of Barack Obama in a Detailed Timeline
Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Barack Obama. A timeline of obstacles and growth.
Barack Obama, the 44th U.S. President (2009-2017), was the first African-American to hold the office. A Democrat, he previously served as a U.S. Senator for Illinois (2005-2008) and an Illinois State Senator (1997-2004). His presidency was marked by the Affordable Care Act, the end of the Iraq War, and the killing of Osama bin Laden. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009.
2000: Obama Lost Congressional Primary Race
In 2000, Barack Obama lost a Democratic primary race for Illinois's 1st congressional district to Bobby Rush.
August 2007: Remarks to National Association of Black Journalists
In August 2007, Obama addressed the National Association of Black Journalists, discussing perceptions of his racial identity and the challenges of appealing to diverse demographics.
2007: Financial Crisis
The financial crisis of 2007-2008 influenced the future financial regulation in the United States.
2008: Financial Crisis
The financial crisis of 2007-2008 influenced the future financial regulation in the United States.
February 2009: Obama Increases Troop Levels in Afghanistan
In February 2009, President Obama announced an increase in U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan by 17,000 military personnel, aiming to stabilize the deteriorating situation in the region.
February 27, 2009: Obama Announces End to Combat Operations in Iraq
On February 27, 2009, President Obama announced that combat operations in Iraq would end within 18 months, marking a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy.
March 2009: Automotive Industry Intervention
In March 2009, Obama intervened in the troubled automotive industry, renewing loans for General Motors (GM) and Chrysler to continue operations while reorganizing.
May 2009: Obama Appoints McChrystal as Commander in Afghanistan
In May 2009, President Obama replaced General David D. McKiernan with Lt. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal as the military commander in Afghanistan.
June 2009: Economic Stimulus Acceleration
In June 2009, dissatisfied with the pace of economic stimulus, Obama called on his cabinet to accelerate the investment. He also signed into law the Car Allowance Rebate System, known as "Cash for Clunkers", which temporarily boosted the economy.
June 26, 2009: Condemnation of Iranian Government
On June 26, 2009, Obama condemned the Iranian government's actions towards protesters following Iran's 2009 presidential election.
October 1, 2009: Obama Administration Increases Nuclear Weapons Production
On October 1, 2009, the Obama administration went ahead with a Bush administration program, increasing nuclear weapons production.
November 2009: Approval Ratings Dip
By November 2009, Obama's approval ratings, which had been high at the start of his presidency, dipped below the majority level.
November 2009: Federal Reserve Spending
By the end of November 2009, the Bush and Obama administrations had spent $3 trillion of the $11.5 trillion authorized by the Federal Reserve and the Department of the Treasury.
December 1, 2009: Obama Announces Additional Troop Deployment to Afghanistan
On December 1, 2009, President Obama announced the deployment of an additional 30,000 military personnel to Afghanistan, with proposed troop withdrawals set to begin in 18 months.
2009: Rise in Unemployment Rate
In 2009, the unemployment rate rose, reaching a peak of 10.0 percent in October and averaging 10.0 percent in the fourth quarter.
March 2010: Obama Publicly Opposes Israeli Housing Projects in East Jerusalem
In March 2010, President Obama took a public stance against plans by the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to continue building Jewish housing projects in predominantly Arab neighborhoods of East Jerusalem.
March 2010: Agreement Reached with Russia to Reduce Nuclear Weapons
In March 2010, an agreement was reached with the administration of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to replace the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with a new pact.
April 2010: Obama and Medvedev sign the New START treaty
In April 2010, Obama and Medvedev signed the New START treaty, a pact reducing the number of long-range nuclear weapons.
April 2010: Survey on Stimulus Bill Impact
In April 2010, a survey of members of the National Association for Business Economics showed an increase in job creation, but 73 percent of respondents believed the stimulus bill had no impact on employment.
April 20, 2010: Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
On April 20, 2010, an explosion destroyed an offshore drilling rig at the Macondo Prospect in the Gulf of Mexico, causing a major oil leak. Obama announced a federal investigation and formed a bipartisan commission to recommend new safety standards.
June 2010: David Petraeus Replaces McChrystal in Afghanistan
In June 2010, David Petraeus replaced McChrystal as commander in Afghanistan after McChrystal's staff criticized White House personnel.
July 2010: Federal Reserve on Economic Activity
In July 2010, the Federal Reserve noted that economic activity continued to increase, but its pace had slowed, and chairman Ben Bernanke said the economic outlook was "unusually uncertain".
July 2010: CIA Develops Intelligence on Bin Laden Hideout
Starting in July 2010, the CIA developed intelligence on what they believed to be the hideout of Osama bin Laden, living in seclusion in a large compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
August 2010: Approval in the Low 40s
By August 2010, Obama's approval ratings declined to the low 40s, mirroring trends seen in the early years of Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton's presidencies.
August 19, 2010: Last U.S. Combat Brigade Exits Iraq
On August 19, 2010, the last U.S. combat brigade exited Iraq, signaling a transition from combat operations to counter-terrorism and advisory roles for the remaining troops.
December 2010: U.S. Senate Ratifies New START Treaty
In December 2010, the U.S. Senate ratified the New START treaty, signed by President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in April 2010.
December 2010: Unemployment Rate and Employment Increase
In December 2010, the unemployment rate remained at 9.6 percent. Between February and December 2010, employment rose by 0.8 percent.
March 2011: CIA Reports Bin Laden Intelligence to Obama
In March 2011, CIA head Leon Panetta reported the intelligence regarding Osama bin Laden's hideout to President Obama.
July 2011: Troop Withdrawals Begin in Afghanistan
In July 2011, troop withdrawals began in Afghanistan, following President Obama's December 2009 announcement of a deployment increase and subsequent withdrawal timeline.
August 2, 2011: Signing of the Budget Control Act of 2011
On August 2, 2011, Obama signed the bipartisan Budget Control Act of 2011 after a lengthy congressional debate over raising the nation's debt limit. The legislation enforced limits on discretionary spending until 2021.
October 21, 2011: Obama Announces Full Troop Withdrawal from Iraq
On October 21, 2011, President Obama announced that all U.S. troops would leave Iraq in time to be "home for the holidays,", completing the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the country.
2011: Drone Strike Killing of Anwar al-Awlaki
In 2011, Obama ordered a drone strike in Yemen which targeted and killed Anwar al-Awlaki, an American imam suspected of being a leading Al-Qaeda organizer, leading to significant controversy.
2011: Approval Rating Falls
In late 2011, Obama's approval rating fell to 38 percent on several occasions before recovering in mid-2012.
February 2013: Obama Announces Troop Reduction in Afghanistan
In February 2013, President Obama announced that the U.S. military would reduce troop levels in Afghanistan from 68,000 to 34,000 by February 2014.
July 2013: Reservations About Keystone XL Pipeline
In July 2013, Obama expressed reservations about the Keystone XL pipeline and stated he would reject it if it increased carbon pollution or greenhouse emissions.
November 2013: Obama Administration Opens Negotiations with Iran
In November 2013, the Obama administration opened negotiations with Iran to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons, which included an interim agreement.
December 2013: Income Inequality Speech and Trade Pact Urging
In December 2013, Obama declared growing income inequality a "defining challenge of our time" and called on Congress to bolster the safety net and raise wages. Obama also urged Congress to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
February 2014: U.S. Military Reduces Troop Level in Afghanistan
By February 2014, the U.S. military reduced the troop level in Afghanistan from 68,000 to 34,000, as announced by President Obama in February 2013.
June 2014: Obama Sends Troops to Iraq Amidst ISIL Advance
In June 2014, following the capture of Mosul by ISIL, President Obama sent 275 troops to provide support and security for U.S. personnel and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
August 2014: Obama Orders Airstrikes Against ISIL During Sinjar Massacre
In August 2014, during the Sinjar massacre, President Obama ordered a campaign of U.S. airstrikes against ISIL forces.
2014: Obama Discusses Racial Disadvantages
By 2014, President Obama began openly discussing the disadvantages faced by many members of minority groups amid rising racial tensions and the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement.
2014: Russian Invasion of Crimea
In 2014, Russia invaded Crimea, leading to criticism of Obama's foreign policy approach.
2014: Approval Ratings Lowest Before Midterm Elections
In polling conducted before the 2014 midterm elections, Obama's approval ratings were at their lowest, with disapproval reaching 57 percent.
February 24, 2015: Keystone XL Pipeline Veto
On February 24, 2015, Obama vetoed a bill that would have authorized the Keystone XL pipeline. This was the third veto of Obama's presidency.
March 2015: Support to Saudis in Yemen
In March 2015, Obama declared that he had authorized U.S. forces to provide logistical and intelligence support to the Saudis in their military intervention in Yemen, establishing a "Joint Planning Cell" with Saudi Arabia.
July 14, 2015: Deal Announced Regarding Iranian Nuclear Program
On July 14, 2015, a deal titled the "Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action" was announced. Sanctions were removed in exchange for measures that would prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons.
October 2015: White House Announces Plan to Keep U.S. Forces in Afghanistan Indefinitely
In October 2015, the White House announced a plan to keep U.S. Forces in Afghanistan indefinitely, citing the deteriorating security situation as the primary reason.
December 2015: Obama Starts Program to Back Buildup of Nuclear Arms
In December 2015, Obama started a $348 billion worth program to back the biggest U.S. buildup of nuclear arms since Ronald Reagan left the White House.
2015: Approval Ratings Lag
Obama's approval ratings lagged throughout most of 2015 but began to reach the high 40s by the end of the year.
March 2016: Gallup Poll on Race Relations
In a March 2016 Gallup poll, nearly one third of Americans expressed significant worry about race relations, marking the highest level recorded since 2001.
September 2016: Snub by Xi Jinping at G20 Summit
In September 2016, Obama was snubbed by Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party as he descended from Air Force One to the tarmac of Hangzhou International Airport for the 2016 G20 Hangzhou summit without the usual red carpet welcome.
2016: Interference in the U.S. Presidential Election
In 2016, Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election drew criticism and concerns about Obama's foreign policy legacy.
2016: Arms Deals with Saudi Arabia
In 2016, the Obama administration proposed a series of arms deals with Saudi Arabia worth $115 billion. Obama also halted the sale of guided munition technology to Saudi Arabia after Saudi warplanes targeted a funeral in Yemen's capital Sanaa.
2017: Repeal of Individual Mandate Penalty
In 2017, the penalty for violating the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act was repealed, effective 2019.
2019: Repeal of Individual Mandate Penalty Takes Effect
In 2019, the penalty for violating the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act was repealed, effective this year.
