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 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. Prior to his political career, Obama was a community organizer and civil rights attorney. His background and rise to the presidency made him a symbol of hope and change for many.

Sections (7)

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

1934: Birth of Barack Obama Sr.

In 1934, Barack Hussein Obama Sr., Barack Obama's father, was born.

1960: Obama's Parents Meet

In 1960, Barack Obama's parents met in a Russian language class at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

February 2, 1961: Marriage of Obama's Parents

On February 2, 1961, Barack Obama's parents, Stanley Ann Dunham and Barack Hussein Obama, married in Wailuku, Hawaii, six months before Obama was born.

August 4, 1961: Barack Obama's Birth

On August 4, 1961, Barack Hussein Obama II was born at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Stanley Ann Dunham and Barack Hussein Obama.

August 1961: Move to Seattle

In late August 1961, Barack Obama and his mother moved to the University of Washington in Seattle.

June 1962: Obama's Father Graduation

In June 1962, Barack Obama's father completed his undergraduate degree in economics in Hawaii.

1963: Dunham Meets Lolo Soetoro

In 1963, Ann Dunham met Lolo Soetoro at the University of Hawaiʻi.

March 1964: Obama's Parents Divorced

In March 1964, Barack Obama's parents divorced.

March 15, 1965: Marriage to Lolo Soetoro

On March 15, 1965, Ann Dunham married Lolo Soetoro on Molokai.

1965: Passage of Medicare and Medicaid

In 1965, the passage of Medicare and Medicaid occurred.

1966: Lolo Soetoro Returns to Indonesia

In 1966, Lolo Soetoro returned to Indonesia after two one-year extensions of his J-1 visa.

1967: Move to Indonesia

In 1967, Ann Dunham and Barack Obama followed Lolo Soetoro to Indonesia.

1970: Move to Menteng District

In 1970, the family moved to a wealthier neighborhood in the Menteng district of Central Jakarta.

1971: Father's Visit

In 1971, Barack Obama Sr. visited his son in Hawaii for the only time.

1971: Return to Honolulu

In 1971, Barack Obama returned to Honolulu to live with his maternal grandparents.

1972: Living with Mother and Sister

From 1972 to 1975, Barack Obama lived with his mother and half-sister, Maya Soetoro, in Hawaii.

1975: Mother's Return to Indonesia

In 1975, Barack Obama's mother and half-sister returned to Indonesia, while he stayed in Hawaii.

1979: High School Graduation

In 1979, Barack Obama graduated from high school at Punahou School.

1979: Move to Los Angeles

In 1979, Barack Obama moved to Los Angeles to attend Occidental College on a full scholarship after graduating from high school.

1980: Visit to Kenya

In 1980, Barack Obama visited Kenya and stopped using the nickname 'Barry'.

February 1981: First Public Speech

In February 1981, Barack Obama made his first public speech, calling for Occidental to participate in the disinvestment from South Africa in response to apartheid.

1982: Death of Barack Obama Sr.

In 1982, Barack Hussein Obama Sr., Barack Obama's father, passed away.

1983: Graduation from Columbia University

In 1983, Barack Obama graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.

1988: Enrollment at Harvard Law School

In 1988, Barack Obama enrolled at Harvard Law School.

1991: Graduation from Harvard Law

In 1991, Barack Obama graduated from Harvard Law School with a Juris Doctor magna cum laude.

October 1992: End of Project Vote

In October 1992, Obama directed Illinois's Project Vote, a voter registration campaign that successfully registered 150,000 African Americans.

1992: Lecturer at University of Chicago Law School

In 1992, Barack Obama began teaching constitutional law as a lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School.

1992: Mother Earns PhD

In 1992, Barack Obama's mother earned a PhD degree.

1995: Publication of "Dreams from My Father"

In 1995, Barack Obama published his book, "Dreams from My Father".

Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance

Check it on Amazon

1995: Death of Obama's Mother

In 1995, Barack Obama's mother passed away in Hawaii following unsuccessful treatment for cancer.

1995: Death of Stanley Ann Dunham

In 1995, Stanley Ann Dunham, Barack Obama's mother, passed away after battling ovarian and uterine cancer.

1996: Senior Lecturer at University of Chicago Law School

In 1996, Barack Obama became a senior lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School.

2004: End of Teaching at University of Chicago Law School

In 2004, Barack Obama ended his teaching career at the University of Chicago Law School.

2006: Interview on Family Diversity

In 2006, Barack Obama highlighted the diversity of his extended family, describing it as a "mini-United Nations".

2006: Publication of "The Audacity of Hope"

In 2006, Barack Obama published his book, "The Audacity of Hope".

The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream

Check it on Amazon

August 2007: Obama Addresses Questions About His Identity

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

October 2007: Obama Acknowledges Youthful Image in Campaign Speech

In October 2007, Obama acknowledged his youthful image during a campaign speech, remarking, "I wouldn't be here if, time and again, the torch had not been passed to a new generation."

2007: Discovery of Irish Ancestor

In 2007, it was discovered that Barack Obama's great-great-grandfather, Falmouth Kearney, emigrated from Moneygall, Ireland, to the U.S. in 1850.

November 2, 2008: Death of Madelyn Dunham

On November 2, 2008, Madelyn Dunham, Barack Obama's maternal grandmother, passed away, two days before his election to the presidency.

May 2011: Meeting with Irish Cousins

In May 2011, Barack Obama met with his Irish cousins in Moneygall, Ireland.

July 2012: Ancestry.com Finds Possible Ancestor

In July 2012, Ancestry.com found a strong likelihood that Barack Obama's mother was descended from John Punch, an enslaved African man.

January 20, 2017: End of Obama's Presidency

On January 20, 2017, Obama's presidency concluded with the inauguration of his successor, Donald Trump. The Obama family then moved to a rented house in Kalorama, Washington, D.C.

May 22, 2018: Obama Signs Deal with Netflix

On May 22, 2018, Barack and Michelle Obama signed a deal with Netflix to produce docu-series, documentaries, and features through their new production company, Higher Ground Productions.

2019: Obama Buys Home on Martha's Vineyard

In 2019, Barack and Michelle Obama purchased a home on Martha's Vineyard from Wyc Grousbeck.

2020: Campaigning for Biden

In 2020, Barack Obama campaigned for candidates in American elections, including in Joe Biden's successful presidential bid.

January 2021: Obama Attends Inauguration of Joe Biden

In January 2021, Obama and his wife Michelle attended the inauguration of Joe Biden as President of the United States.

March 2023: Obama Travels to Australia

In March 2023, Obama visited Australia as part of his speaking tour, meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and visiting Melbourne for the first time.