Early Life and Education of Barack Obama: A Complete Timeline
How education and upbringing influenced the life of Barack Obama. A timeline of key moments.
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.
August 4, 1961: Barack Obama's birth
August 4, 1961, Barack Obama was born at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children in Honolulu, Hawaii. His mother was 18 and American, and his father was 27 and Kenyan.
August 1961: Move to Seattle
In late August 1961, Barack Obama and his mother moved to the University of Washington in Seattle, a few weeks after his birth.
March 15, 1965: Marriage to Lolo Soetoro
On March 15, 1965, Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, married Lolo Soetoro on Molokai.
1971: Return to Honolulu
In 1971, Barack Obama returned to Honolulu to live with his maternal grandparents, Madelyn and Stanley Dunham.
February 1981: First Public Speech
In February 1981, Obama made his first public speech, calling for Occidental to participate in the disinvestment from South Africa in response to that nation's policy of apartheid.
June 1985: Director of Developing Communities Project
In June 1985, Barack Obama was hired as director of the Developing Communities Project, a faith-based community organization in Chicago.
1985: Chicago Bears Super Bowl Win
In 1985, the Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl, but were unable to visit the White House in 1986 due to the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster; they were later invited by President Obama in 2011.
1986: Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
In 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster prevented the 1985 Chicago Bears from visiting the White House after their Super Bowl win, a visit that eventually happened in 2011 when President Obama invited them.
October 1987: Obama Met Jeremiah Wright
In October 1987, Barack Obama met Trinity United Church of Christ pastor Jeremiah Wright.
1988: Enrolls at Harvard Law School
In the fall of 1988, Obama enrolled at Harvard Law School.
June 1989: Obama Met Michelle Robinson
In June 1989, Barack Obama met Michelle Robinson while working at Sidley Austin, where she was assigned as his advisor.
1991: Visiting Law and Government Fellow
In 1991, Barack Obama accepted a two-year position as Visiting Law and Government Fellow at the University of Chicago Law School.
1991: Obama became engaged with Michelle Robinson
In 1991, Barack Obama became engaged to Michelle Robinson, marking a significant step in their relationship.
October 3, 1992: Obama Married Michelle Robinson
On October 3, 1992, Barack Obama married Michelle Robinson after becoming engaged in 1991.
1992: Obama Became Member of Trinity Church
In 1992, Barack Obama became a member of Trinity United Church of Christ.
1998: Birth of Malia Ann Obama
In 1998, Malia Ann Obama, the first daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama, was born.
2001: Birth of Natasha ("Sasha") Obama
In 2001, Natasha 'Sasha' Obama, the second daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama, was born.
2005: Obama Threw First Pitch at ALCS
In 2005, Barack Obama threw out the first pitch at the American League Championship Series (ALCS) while serving as a senator.
2005: Obama's Household Income
In 2005, Barack Obama's household income was $1.6 million, primarily from book sales.
2005: Obama Family Moved to Kenwood Home
In 2005, the Obama family moved from a Hyde Park condominium to a $1.6 million house in Kenwood, Chicago, using proceeds from a book deal.
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.
October 2007: Campaign Speech Acknowledging Youthful Image
In October 2007, Obama addressed his youthful image in a campaign speech, emphasizing the importance of passing the torch to a new generation.
December 2007: Obama's Estimated Net Worth
In December 2007, Money Magazine estimated Barack Obama's net worth at $1.3 million.
January 2008: Obama's statements on being Christian
In January 2008, Barack Obama affirmed his Christian faith, stating his belief in the redemptive death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
May 2008: Obama Resigned from Trinity Church
In May 2008, during his first presidential campaign, Barack Obama resigned from Trinity United Church of Christ after some of Jeremiah Wright's statements were criticized.
January 2009: Obama daughters started at Sidwell Friends School
In January 2009, after the Obamas moved to Washington, D.C., their daughters started attending Sidwell Friends School.
2009: Obama's Household Income
In 2009, Barack Obama's tax return showed a household income of $5.5 million, up from $4.2 million in 2007.
2009: Obama threw the ceremonial first pitch at the All-Star Game
In 2009, Barack Obama, as President, threw the ceremonial first pitch at the All-Star Game while wearing a White Sox jacket.
2009: Obama Family Moved to Washington, D.C.
In 2009, after moving to Washington, D.C., the Obama family began attending various Protestant churches but not on a regular basis.
2009: Thanks, Obama Origin
In 2009, the saying "thanks, Obama" first appeared in a Twitter hashtag, "#thanks Obama", and was later used in a demotivational poster, eventually adopted satirically.
September 27, 2010: Obama released statement commenting on his religious views
On September 27, 2010, Obama released a statement commenting on his religious views.
2010: Obama's Charitable Contributions
In 2010, Barack Obama donated 14 percent of his $1.7 million income to non-profit organizations, including $131,000 to the Fisher House Foundation.
May 2011: Meeting with Irish Cousins
In May 2011, Barack Obama met with his Irish cousins in Moneygall, Ireland.
2011: Obama Invited 1985 Chicago Bears to White House
In 2011, Barack Obama invited the 1985 Chicago Bears to the White House, as the team had not been able to visit after their Super Bowl win in 1986.
May 9, 2012: Obama Publicly Supports Same-Sex Marriage
On May 9, 2012, President Obama publicly announced his personal support for the legalization of same-sex marriage, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to do so.
2012: Obama's Financial Disclosure
In 2012, Barack Obama's financial disclosure indicated he may be worth as much as $10 million.
January 21, 2013: Obama Calls for Full Equality for Gay Americans
On January 21, 2013, during his second inaugural address, President Obama called for full equality for gay Americans and mentioned gay rights, marking the first time a U.S. president in office did so during an inaugural address.
May 2013: Approval Ratings Stable
After his second inauguration, Obama's approval ratings remained stable around 52 percent until May 2013.
2013: Sunny joined the Obama Family
In 2013, Sunny, a female Portuguese Water Dog, joined Bo in the Obama Family.
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.
2015: Obama Uses Phrase
In 2015, Obama himself used the phrase "thanks, Obama" in a video.
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.
2016: Obama Shared Inspirational Items
In 2016, Barack Obama said that he gets inspiration from items that remind him "of all the different people I've met along the way."
2016: Obama Uses Phrase Again
In 2016, Obama himself used the phrase "thanks, Obama" in a video.
January 20, 2017: End of Presidency
On January 20, 2017, Obama's presidency ended with the inauguration of Donald Trump, and the Obama family moved to Kalorama, Washington, D.C.
2017: Colbert Uses Phrase
In 2017, Stephen Colbert used the phrase "thanks, Obama" to express gratitude to Obama on his last day in office.
2019: Purchase of Home
In 2019, Barack and Michelle Obama bought a home on Martha's Vineyard from Wyc Grousbeck.
May 8, 2021: Death of Bo, the Obama's dog
On May 8, 2021, Bo, the Obama family's dog, a Portuguese Water Dog, died of cancer.
2022: Opposition to Expanding the Supreme Court
In 2022, Obama opposed expanding the Supreme Court beyond the present nine Justices.
2022: Biden's Twitter Account Uses Phrase
In 2022, President Joe Biden's Twitter account posted the phrase "thanks, Obama".
March 2023: Travel to Australia
In March 2023, Obama traveled to Australia as part of his speaking tour, meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and visiting Melbourne.
