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. Prior to his political career, Obama was a community organizer and civil rights attorney in Chicago. He is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Sections (7)

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

1973: United Nations Security Council Resolution

In 2011 Obama ordered the military intervention in Libya to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973.

1973: Security Council Resolution

In March 2011, in response to the passage of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, the Foreign Minister of Libya Moussa Koussa announced a ceasefire. However Gaddafi's forces continued to attack the rebels.

2000: Loss in Congressional Primary

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

2008: Financial crisis

In 2008, the financial crisis affected the US and Obama administration responded in 2009.

2008: Start of the financial crisis

In 2008, the financial crisis began, which led to later economic measures.

October 1, 2009: Obama Administration Increases Nuclear Weapons Production

On October 1, 2009, the Obama administration proceeded with a Bush administration program to increase nuclear weapons production via the "Complex Modernization" initiative.

2009: Awarded Nobel Peace Prize and Response to Financial Crisis

In 2009, Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Also during 2009, his administration responded to the 2008 financial crisis with measures including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

2009: Rise in unemployment rate in 2009

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: Obama Opposes Israeli Housing Plans

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.

April 2010: Survey on stimulus bill's impact on employment

In April 2010, a 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, but 73 percent of 68 respondents believed the stimulus bill has had no impact on employment.

April 20, 2010: Offshore drilling rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico

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. Obama visited the Gulf, announced a federal investigation, and formed a bipartisan commission to recommend new safety standards.

February 2011: Protests Begin in Libya

In February 2011, protests began in Libya against long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi as part of the Arab Spring. They soon turned violent.

August 18, 2011: Obama Calls for Assad to Step Aside

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

2011: Withdrawal from Iraq

Following the 2011 withdrawal from Iraq, Obama ordered military intervention in Iraq in response to gains made by ISIL.

2011: Military Intervention in Libya

In 2011, Obama ordered the military intervention in Libya to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, contributing to the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.

2011: Obama's Approval Rating Falls to 38 Percent

In late 2011, Obama's approval rating briefly dipped to 38 percent before recovering in mid-2012.

2012: Obama Authorizes Programs to Train Anti-Assad Rebels

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

August 2013: Obama Criticizes Russia's Anti-Homosexual Law

In August 2013, President Obama criticized Russia's law that discriminates against homosexual people but stopped short of calling for a boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

November 2013: Obama Administration Opens Negotiations with Iran

In November 2013, the Obama administration began negotiations with Iran with the aim of preventing them from acquiring nuclear weapons, leading to an interim agreement.

December 2013: Obama's statement on 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. He also urged Congress to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

2013: Response to Global Surveillance Disclosures

Following the 2013 global surveillance disclosures by whistleblower Edward Snowden, Barack 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, in President Obama's view, "with each new settlement announcement, Netanyahu is moving his country down a path toward near-total isolation."

2014: Obama Authorizes Air Campaign Against ISIL

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

2014: Russia's Invasion of Crimea

In 2014, Russia invaded Crimea.

2014: Obama's Approval Ratings at Their Lowest Before Midterm Elections

In polling conducted before the 2014 midterm elections, Obama's approval ratings were at their lowest with his disapproval rating reaching a high of 57 percent.

March 2015: Obama authorizes support to Saudis in Yemen intervention

In March 2015, President Obama authorized U.S. forces to provide logistical and intelligence support to Saudi Arabia for their military intervention in Yemen. This included establishing a "Joint Planning Cell" with Saudi Arabia to coordinate efforts.

July 14, 2015: Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Announced

On July 14, 2015, the "Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action" deal with Iran was announced. It aimed to prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons by removing sanctions in exchange for preventative measures. The agreement drew criticism from Republicans, conservatives, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

October 2015: Pentagon-run Program Formally Abandoned

In October 2015, The Pentagon-run program to train anti-Assad rebels was later found to have failed and was formally abandoned.

November 2015: Reaffirmation of Stance on Assad

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

December 2015: Obama Backs Nuclear Arms Buildup

In December 2015, Obama initiated a $348 billion program to support the largest U.S. buildup of nuclear arms since Ronald Reagan's presidency.

2015: Obama Criticized by Israel for Advocating Iran Nuclear Deal

In 2015, President Obama was harshly criticized by Israel for advocating and signing the Iran Nuclear Deal; Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the deal "dangerous" and "bad."

2015: Military Intervention in Syria

In 2015, Russia began its military intervention in Syria.

March 2016: Gallup Poll on 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: Obama Snubbed at Hangzhou International Airport

In September 2016, President Obama was snubbed by Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party upon arrival at Hangzhou International Airport for the 2016 G20 Hangzhou summit, receiving no red carpet welcome.

December 23, 2016: United States Abstains from UN Security Council Resolution Condemning Israeli Settlements

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: Sanctions Against Russia Following Election Interference

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

2016: Obama on the aftermath of the intervention 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: Interference in the U.S. Presidential Election

In 2016, Russia interfered in the U.S. presidential election.

2016: Obama administration proposes arms deals with Saudi Arabia

In 2016, the Obama administration proposed a series of arms deals with Saudi Arabia worth $115 billion. Later, Obama halted the sale of guided munition technology to Saudi Arabia after Saudi warplanes targeted a funeral in Yemen's capital Sanaa, resulting in over 140 deaths.

2016: U.S. dropped 26,171 bombs on seven different countries.

In 2016, the last year of his presidency, the U.S. dropped 26,171 bombs on seven different countries, marking a substantial escalation in the use of drone strikes against suspected militants and terrorists associated with al-Qaeda and the Taliban under Obama's administration.

January 5, 2017: House of Representatives Condemns UN Resolution

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

January 6, 2017: Israel withdraws dues from the UN

On January 6, 2017, the Israeli government withdrew its annual dues from the organization, which totaled $6 million, in response to Security Council Resolution 2334.

2017: Penalty for violating individual mandate of ACA repealed.

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

2019: Penalty for violating individual mandate of ACA becomes effective.

In 2019, the repeal of the penalty for violating the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) becomes effective.

October 2023: Obama Comments on Gaza War

In October 2023, amidst the Gaza war, Obama stated that Israel must dismantle Hamas following the Hamas-led attack on Israel and warned that Israel's actions could negatively impact Palestinian attitudes and international support.