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 president. 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 faced challenges including the Great Recession and political polarization. Obama's legacy includes his efforts to address climate change and promote international cooperation.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

2000: Obama Loses Congressional Primary Race

In 2000, Barack Obama lost a Democratic primary race for Illinois's 1st congressional district to Bobby Rush.

August 2007: Remarks on Racial Identity

In August 2007, at a meeting of the National Association of Black Journalists, Obama expressed puzzlement over questions about whether he is "black enough," stating that "we're still locked in this notion that if you appeal to white folks then there must be something wrong."

2008: Response to the 2008 financial crisis

In 2008, Barack Obama's administration responded to the 2008 financial crisis with measures including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

2008: Financial Crisis

The financial crisis of 2008 led to the passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in 2010.

June 26, 2009: Condemnation of Iranian government actions

On June 26, 2009, President Obama condemned the Iranian government's actions towards protesters following Iran's 2009 presidential election.

July 14, 2009: Introduction of health care system overhaul plan

On July 14, 2009, House Democratic leaders introduced a 1,017-page plan for overhauling the U.S. health care system, which President Obama wanted Congress to approve by the end of 2009.

July 2009: Launch of Priority Enforcement Program

In July 2009, the Obama administration launched the Priority Enforcement Program, an immigration enforcement initiative.

October 1, 2009: Obama Administration Increases Nuclear Weapons Production

On October 1, 2009, the Obama administration proceeded with the Bush administration's program to increase nuclear weapons production by expanding two existing nuclear sites to produce new bomb parts under the "Complex Modernization" initiative.

November 2009: Federal Reserve spending and loan guarantees

By the end of November 2009, The Bush and Obama administrations authorized spending and loan guarantees from the Federal Reserve and the Department of the Treasury totaling about $11.5 trillion, but only $3 trillion had been spent.

November 2009: Approval Ratings Drop Below Majority Level

In November 2009, Obama's approval ratings dropped below the majority level.

2009: Rise in unemployment rate

In 2009, the unemployment rate rose, reaching a peak in October at 10.0 percent and averaging 10.0 percent in the fourth quarter.

March 2010: Public Stance Against Israeli Housing Plans

In March 2010, 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.

April 2010: Survey on stimulus bill impact on employment

Although an April 2010, survey of members of the National Association for Business Economics showed an increase in job creation (over a similar January survey) for the first time in two years, 73 percent of 68 respondents believed the stimulus bill has 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 sustained oil leak. President Obama visited the Gulf, announced a federal investigation, and formed a bipartisan commission to recommend new safety standards. He then announced a six-month moratorium on new deepwater drilling permits and leases.

July 2010: Federal Reserve notes economic activity increase

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".

August 2010: Approval Ratings in the Low 40s

By August 2010, Obama's approval ratings were in the low 40s.

December 2010: Employment rise

Between February and December 2010, employment rose by 0.8 percent, which was less than the average of 1.9 percent experienced during comparable periods in the past four employment recoveries.

February 2011: Start of Protests in Libya

In February 2011, protests began in Libya against Muammar Gaddafi as part of the Arab Spring, and soon turned violent.

August 18, 2011: Obama's Demand for Assad to Step Aside

On August 18, 2011, Obama issued a written statement stating that "The time has come for President Assad to step aside" in Syria.

2011: Drone strike in Yemen

In 2011, President 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. al-Awlaki became the first U.S. citizen to be targeted and killed by a U.S. drone strike. The killing led to significant controversy.

2011: United States Vetoed Security Council Resolution Condemning Israeli Settlements

In 2011, the United States vetoed a Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements, being the only nation to do so.

2012: Obama Authorized Programs to Train Anti-Assad Rebels

In 2012, Obama authorized multiple programs run by the CIA and the Pentagon to train anti-Assad rebels in Syria.

January 16, 2013: Gun Control Proposals Outlined

On January 16, 2013, one month after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, President Obama signed 23 executive orders and outlined a series of gun control proposals, including reintroducing a ban on military-style assault weapons and requiring background checks on all gun sales.

July 2013: Reservations on Keystone XL Pipeline

In July 2013, President Obama expressed reservations and said he "would reject the Keystone XL pipeline if it increased carbon pollution [or] greenhouse emissions."

August 2013: Criticism of Russia's Anti-Homosexual Law

In August 2013, Obama criticized Russia's law that discriminates against homosexual people.

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: Call to address income inequality

In December 2013, President Obama declared that growing income inequality is a "defining challenge of our time" and called on Congress to bolster the safety net and raise wages. Obama also urged Congress to ratify a 12-nation free trade pact called the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

2013: Response to Global Surveillance Disclosures

Following the 2013 global surveillance disclosures by Edward Snowden, President Obama condemned the leak as unpatriotic but called for increased restrictions on the National Security Agency (NSA) to address violations of privacy.

2013: Obama's View on Israeli Settlements

In 2013, Jeffrey Goldberg reported that Obama believed Netanyahu's settlement announcements were leading Israel toward "near-total isolation."

June 2014: Deployment of Troops to Baghdad

In June 2014, following the capture of Mosul by ISIL, Obama sent 275 troops to provide support and security for U.S. personnel and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

August 2014: Order of Airstrikes Against ISIL

In August 2014, during the Sinjar massacre, Obama ordered a campaign of U.S. airstrikes against ISIL.

2014: Obama Discusses Racial Disadvantages

By 2014, Obama began openly discussing the disadvantages faced by many members of minority groups.

2014: Authorization of Air Campaign Against ISIL

In 2014, Obama authorized an air campaign aimed primarily at ISIL in Syria.

2014: Obama's Likening of Zionist and Civil Rights Movements

In 2014, Obama likened the Zionist movement to the civil rights movement in the United States, stating both sought justice and equal rights.

February 24, 2015: Veto of Keystone XL pipeline bill

On February 24, 2015, President Obama vetoed a bill that would have authorized the Keystone XL pipeline. It was the third veto of Obama's presidency and his first major veto.

March 2015: Authorization of U.S. support to Saudis in Yemen intervention

In March 2015, Obama authorized U.S. forces to provide logistical and intelligence support to the Saudi Arabian military intervention in Yemen, which included establishing a "Joint Planning Cell" with Saudi Arabia.

July 14, 2015: Announcement of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action

On July 14, 2015, a deal titled the "Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action" was announced. The deal saw sanctions removed in exchange for measures that would prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons. The deal drew strong criticism from Republican and conservative quarters, and from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

October 2015: Abandonment of Pentagon-Run Program to Train Rebels

In October 2015, the Pentagon-run program to train anti-Assad rebels was formally abandoned after being found to have failed.

November 2015: Reaffirmation of Stance on Assad Stepping Aside

In November 2015, Obama reaffirmed the stance that "The time has come for President Assad to step aside".

December 2015: Obama Starts a $348 Billion Nuclear Arms Buildup Program

In December 2015, Obama started a $348 billion program to back the biggest U.S. buildup of nuclear arms since Ronald Reagan left the White House.

2015: Criticism from Israel over Iran Nuclear Deal

In 2015, Obama was criticized by Israel for advocating and signing the Iran Nuclear Deal, with Prime Minister Netanyahu calling the deal "dangerous" and "bad."

2015: Increase of U.S. ground troops in Iraq

In early 2015, with the addition of the "Panther Brigade" of the 82nd Airborne Division the number of U.S. ground troops in Iraq increased to 4,400, and by July American-led coalition air forces counted 44,000 sorties over the battlefield.

January 5, 2016: New Executive Actions on Gun Control

On January 5, 2016, President Obama announced new executive actions extending background check requirements to more gun sellers.

March 2016: Worries About Race Relations

In a March 2016 Gallup poll, nearly one third of Americans said they worried "a great deal" about race relations, a higher figure than in any previous Gallup poll 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 upon arrival at Hangzhou International Airport for the 2016 G20 Hangzhou summit, lacking the usual red carpet welcome.

December 23, 2016: U.S. Abstention from UN Security Council Resolution 2334

On December 23, 2016, under the Obama administration, the United States abstained from United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemned Israeli settlement building in the occupied Palestinian territories.

2016: Obama Said More Could Have Been Done in Libya

In 2016 Obama said "Our coalition could have and should have done more to fill a vacuum left behind" and that it was "a mess".

2016: Sanctions Against Russia Following Interference in US Elections

In 2016, Barack Obama ordered sanctions against Russia following Russian interference in the U.S. elections.

2016: Obama administration proposed arms deal with Saudi Arabia

In 2016, the Obama administration proposed arms deals with Saudi Arabia worth $115 billion, but halted the sale of guided munition technology after a deadly incident in Yemen.

2016: Increased Drone Strikes and Bomb Dropping

In 2016, the last year of his presidency, the U.S. dropped 26,171 bombs on seven different countries under the Obama administration, which substantially escalated the use of drone strikes against suspected militants and terrorists.

January 5, 2017: Condemnation of UN Resolution by U.S. House of Representatives

On January 5, 2017, the United States House of Representatives voted 342–80 to condemn the UN Resolution.

January 6, 2017: Israeli Government Withdrawal of UN Dues

On January 6, 2017, the Israeli government withdrew its annual dues from the United Nations following the U.S. abstention from Security Council Resolution 2334.

2017: Penalty for Violating Individual Mandate Repealed

In 2017, the penalty for violating the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act was repealed, effective 2019.

2019: Penalty for Violating Individual Mandate Repealed goes into effect

In 2019, the repeal of the penalty for violating the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act went into effect.

October 2023: Obama on the Gaza War

In October 2023, during the Gaza war, Obama declared that Israel must dismantle Hamas in the wake of the Hamas-led attack on Israel. Weeks later, Obama warned Israel that its actions could "harden Palestinian attitudes for generations" and weaken international support for Israel; any military strategy that ignored the war's human costs "could ultimately backfire."