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 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

1960: Obama's parents met

In 1960, Barack Obama's parents met in a Russian language class at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where his father was a foreign student on a scholarship.

February 2, 1961: Obama's parents married

On February 2, 1961, Barack Obama's parents, Ann Dunham and Barack Obama Sr., 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. He later became the 44th president of the United States.

August 1961: Obama and his mother moved to Seattle

In late August 1961, a few weeks after he was born, Barack Obama and his mother moved to the University of Washington in Seattle, where they lived for a year.

June 1962: Obama's father graduated

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

March 1964: Obama's parents divorced

In March 1964, Barack Obama's parents divorced.

March 15, 1965: Dunham Met Lolo Soetoro and Married

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

1971: Obama returned to Honolulu

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

1971: Obama Sr. visited Obama in Hawaii

In 1971, Obama Sr. visited his son in Hawaii only once, before he was killed in an automobile accident in 1982.

1972: Obama lived with mother and sister in Hawaii

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

1975: Obama chose to stay in Hawaii while his mother went to Indonesia

In 1975, Obama chose to stay in Hawaii when his mother and half-sister returned to Indonesia.

1979: Obama graduated from high school

In 1979, Barack Obama graduated from high school in Honolulu.

1979: Obama moved to Los Angeles

In 1979, Barack Obama moved to Los Angeles to attend Occidental College on a full scholarship.

1980: Obama visited Kenya

In 1980, Barack Obama visited Kenya.

February 1981: Obama's 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 that nation's policy of apartheid.

1982: Death of Obama Sr.

In 1982, Barack Obama's father was killed in an automobile accident.

1983: Graduation from Columbia University

In 1983, Barack Obama graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a 3.7 GPA.

June 1985: Obama Hired as Director of the 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: Obama worked as a project coordinator

In 1985, Barack Obama worked as a project coordinator for the New York Public Interest Research Group on the City College of New York campus for three months.

1985: 1985 Chicago Bears Win Super Bowl

The 1985 Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl. In 2011, Obama invited the 1985 Chicago Bears to the White House, which had not been done after their Super Bowl win in 1986 due to the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

1986: Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster

After the 1985 Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl, they did not visit the White House due to the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986. In 2011, Obama invited the 1985 Chicago Bears to the White House.

October 1987: Obama Meets Jeremiah Wright

In October 1987, Barack Obama met Trinity United Church of Christ pastor Jeremiah Wright.

May 1988: Obama Left the Developing Communities Project

In May 1988, Barack Obama left his position as director of the Developing Communities Project.

1988: Obama enrolled at Harvard Law School

In 1988, Barack Obama enrolled at Harvard Law School.

June 1989: Obama Meets Michelle Robinson

In June 1989, Barack Obama met Michelle Robinson while working at Sidley Austin. Michelle was assigned as his advisor at the firm. They began dating later that summer.

1989: Obama summer associate at Sidley Austin

In 1989, Barack Obama worked as a summer associate at the law firm of Sidley Austin in Chicago.

1990: Obama summer associate at Hopkins & Sutter

In 1990, Barack Obama worked as a summer associate at the law firm of Hopkins & Sutter in Chicago.

1991: Obama accepted position at the University of Chicago Law School

In 1991, Barack Obama accepted a two-year position as Visiting Law and Government Fellow at the University of Chicago Law School to work on his first book.

1991: Engagement of Barack Obama and Michelle Robinson

In 1991, Barack Obama and Michelle Robinson became engaged.

1991: Obama graduated from Harvard Law

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

October 3, 1992: Obama's Marriage to Michelle Robinson

On October 3, 1992, Barack Obama married Michelle Robinson after becoming engaged in 1991.

October 1992: Obama directed Illinois's Project Vote

In October 1992, Barack Obama directed Illinois's Project Vote, a voter registration campaign.

1992: Obama Becomes Member of Trinity Church

In 1992, Barack Obama became a member of Trinity United Church of Christ.

1992: Obama taught at the University of Chicago Law School

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

1992: Obama's mother earns a PhD

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

1993: Obama Named to Crain's Chicago Business List

In 1993, Crain's Chicago Business named Barack Obama to its list of "40 under Forty" powers to be.

1995: Dreams from My Father Published

In 1995, Barack Obama's memoir, Dreams from My Father, was published.

Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance

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1995: Death of Obama's mother

In 1995, Barack Obama's mother died in Hawaii following unsuccessful treatment for ovarian and uterine cancer.

1996: Obama became a senior lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School

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

1998: Birth of Malia Ann Obama

In 1998, Malia Ann, the first daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama, was born after Michelle underwent in vitro fertilization.

2001: Birth of Natasha "Sasha" Obama

In 2001, Natasha "Sasha", the second daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama, was born.

2004: Obama stops teaching law

In 2004, Barack Obama stopped teaching constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School.

2005: Obama Throws First Pitch at ALCS

In 2005, Barack Obama, then a senator, threw out the first pitch at the American League Championship Series (ALCS) game.

2005: Obama Family Moves to Kenwood, Chicago

In 2005, the Obama family moved from a Hyde Park, Chicago condominium to a $1.6 million house in neighboring Kenwood, Chicago, using the proceeds from a book deal.

2005: Obama's Household Income in 2005

In 2005, the Obama's tax return showed a household income of $1.6 million, up to $4.2 million in 2007 and $5.5 million in 2009, mostly from book sales.

2006: Obama Discussed Family Diversity

In a 2006 interview, Barack Obama highlighted the diversity of his extended family.

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."

October 2007: Campaign Speech Acknowledging Youthful Image

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

December 2007: Money Magazine Estimates Obama's Net Worth

In December 2007, Money Magazine estimated Barack Obama's net worth at $1.3 million.

January 2008: Obama Declares Himself a Devout Christian

In January 2008, Barack Obama told Christianity Today that he is a Christian and a devout Christian, believing in the redemptive death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

May 2008: Obama Resigns from Trinity Church

During his first presidential campaign, in May 2008, Barack Obama resigned from Trinity United Church of Christ after some of Jeremiah Wright's statements were criticized.

November 2, 2008: Death of Obama's grandmother, Madelyn Dunham

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

2008: Nomination by the Democratic Party for President

In 2008, Barack Obama was nominated by the Democratic Party for president after a close primary campaign against Hillary Clinton. He selected Joe Biden as his running mate and defeated Republican nominee John McCain and his running mate Sarah Palin in the 2008 presidential election.

January 2009: Obama Daughters Move to Washington, D.C.

In January 2009, after the Obamas moved to Washington, D.C., their daughters Malia and Sasha started attending Sidwell Friends School.

2009: Obama Throws First Pitch at All-Star Game

In 2009, Barack Obama threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the All-Star Game while wearing a Chicago White Sox jacket.

2009: Obama's Household Income in 2009

In 2009, the Obama's tax return showed a household income of $5.5 million, up from $4.2 million in 2007 and $1.6 million in 2005, mostly from book sales.

2009: Obama Family Attends Protestant Churches in Washington, D.C.

Since moving to Washington, D.C., in 2009, the Obama family has attended several Protestant churches, including Shiloh Baptist Church and St. John's Episcopal Church, as well as Evergreen Chapel at Camp David, but the members of the family do not attend church on a regular basis.

December 31, 2009: Inmate Population in Federal Custody

On December 31, 2009, the U.S. federal inmate population began to decline by five percent.

September 27, 2010: Obama Releases Statement on Religious Views

On September 27, 2010, Barack Obama released a statement commenting on his religious views.

2010: Obama's Charitable Donations in 2010

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: Obama met with Irish cousins in Moneygall

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

2011: Obama Invites 1985 Chicago Bears to White House

In 2011, Barack Obama invited the 1985 Chicago Bears to the White House, which had not been done after their Super Bowl win in 1986 due to the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

May 9, 2012: Obama Affirms Support for Same-Sex Marriage

On May 9, 2012, President Obama publicly affirmed his personal support for the legalization of same-sex marriage, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to do so.

July 2012: Ancestry.com Found Likelihood of Dunham Descent from John Punch

In July 2012, Ancestry.com found a strong likelihood that Ann Dunham, Barack Obama's mother, was descended from John Punch, an enslaved African man who lived in the Colony of Virginia during the seventeenth century.

2012: Obama's Estimated Net Worth in 2012

Per Barack Obama's 2012 financial disclosure, his net worth may be as much as $10 million.

January 21, 2013: Call for Full Equality for Gay Americans

During his second inaugural address on January 21, 2013, President Obama became the first U.S. president in office to call for full equality for gay Americans and the first to mention gay rights or the word "gay" in an inaugural address.

2013: Addition of Sunny to the Obama Family

In 2013, Sunny, a female Portuguese Water Dog, joined Bo in the Obama family.

December 31, 2015: Inmate Population in Federal Custody

By December 31, 2015, inmates sentenced in U.S. federal custody had declined by five percent since 2009, marking the largest decline since Jimmy Carter's presidency.

2016: Obama Discusses Items That Inspire Him

In 2016, Barack Obama discussed the items he carries with him for inspiration, including rosary beads from Pope Francis, a Hanuman figurine, a Coptic cross from Ethiopia, a small Buddha statue, and a metal poker chip.

January 2017: Obama Leaves Office with 60% Approval Rating

In January 2017, Barack Obama left office with a 60 percent approval rating.

May 2017: Public Disclosure of Obama's Relationship with Sheila Miyoshi Jager

In May 2017, the relationship between Barack Obama and anthropologist Sheila Miyoshi Jager became public, several months after the end of his presidency. Obama had proposed to Jager twice in the 1980s, but she and her parents declined.

2019: Purchase of Home on Martha's Vineyard

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

2020: Biden's presidential bid

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

May 8, 2021: Death of Bo, the Obama Family Dog

On May 8, 2021, Bo, one of the Obama family's two Portuguese Water Dogs, died of cancer. Bo was a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy.

July 2024: Obama Expresses Concerns About Biden's Campaign

In July 2024, Barack Obama voiced worries regarding Joe Biden's campaign's prospects following Biden's debate performance against Donald Trump. Later that month, Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed Kamala Harris. Obama subsequently endorsed Harris and campaigned for her.