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. 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

1928: President Coolidge Visits Cuba

In 1928, Calvin Coolidge became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Cuba.

1934: Barack Obama Sr.'s Birth

In 1934, Barack Obama Sr. was born.

1942: Ann Dunham was born

In 1942, Ann Dunham was born in Wichita, Kansas.

1960: Obama's Parents Meet

In 1960, 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 married in Wailuku, Hawaii, six months before he 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: Move to Seattle

In late August 1961, a few weeks after his birth, Barack and his mother moved to the University of Washington in Seattle.

June 1962: Father's Graduation

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

1963: Dunham met Lolo Soetoro

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

March 1964: Divorce of Obama's Parents

In March 1964, Obama's parents divorced.

March 15, 1965: Marriage to Lolo Soetoro

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

1965: Passage of Medicare and Medicaid

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), together with the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act amendment, represents the U.S. healthcare system's most significant regulatory overhaul and expansion of coverage since the passage of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965.

1966: Return to Indonesia

In 1966, Lolo Soetoro returned to Indonesia.

1967: Move to Indonesia

In 1967, Dunham and her stepson, Obama, followed Lolo to Indonesia.

1970: Move to Menteng

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

1971: Return to Honolulu

In 1971, Obama returned to Honolulu to live with his maternal grandparents, Madelyn and Stanley Dunham.

1971: Father's Visit

In 1971, Obama's father visited him in Hawaii at Christmas.

1972: Living with Mother and Half-Sister in Hawaii

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

1975: Return of Mother and Half-Sister to Indonesia

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

1979: Moves to Los Angeles and attends Occidental College

After graduating from high school, in 1979 Obama moved to Los Angeles to attend Occidental College on a full scholarship.

1979: Graduation from High School

In 1979, Obama graduated from high school.

1980: Visit to Kenya

In 1980, Obama visited Kenya.

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.

1982: Barack Obama Sr.'s Death

In 1982, Barack Obama Sr. died.

1982: Death of Obama Sr.

In 1982, Barack Obama Sr. was killed in an automobile accident.

1983: Graduation from Columbia University

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

1985: Woods Fund of Chicago Funded Developing Communities Project

In 1985, the Woods Fund of Chicago became the first foundation to fund the Developing Communities Project.

1986: Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster Overshadowed Chicago Bears' Super Bowl Win

In 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster overshadowed the Chicago Bears' Super Bowl win, leading to the team not visiting the White House until Obama's invitation in 2011.

October 1987: Meeting Jeremiah Wright

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

1988: Enrollment at Harvard Law School

In 1988, Obama enrolled at Harvard Law School.

June 1989: Meeting Michelle Robinson

In June 1989, Barack Obama met Michelle Robinson while working at Sidley Austin, where she was assigned as his advisor.

1991: Engagement to Michelle Robinson

In 1991, Barack Obama and Michelle Robinson became engaged.

1991: Visiting Law and Government Fellow

In 1991, Obama accepted a two-year position as Visiting Law and Government Fellow at the University of Chicago Law School.

1991: Graduation from Harvard Law School

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

October 3, 1992: Marriage to Michelle Robinson

On October 3, 1992, Barack Obama married Michelle Robinson.

1992: Membership in Trinity United Church of Christ

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

1992: Lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School

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

1992: Mother earns PhD

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

1995: Ann Dunham's death

Ann Dunham, Obama's mother, died in 1995.

1995: Publication of Dreams from My Father

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

Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance

Check it on Amazon

1995: Death of Obama's Mother

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

1996: Senior Lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School

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

1996: Church Arson Prevention Act Signed

The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was the first addition to existing federal hate crime law in the United States since President Bill Clinton signed into law the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996.

1998: Birth of Malia Ann Obama

In 1998, Barack and Michelle Obama's first daughter, Malia Ann, was born.

2001: Birth of Natasha ("Sasha") Obama

In 2001, Barack and Michelle Obama's second daughter, Natasha ("Sasha"), was born.

2004: Running for U.S. Senate

In 2004, Barack Obama successfully ran for the U.S. Senate.

2004: End of Teaching at University of Chicago

In 2004, Obama concluded his time teaching at the University of Chicago Law School.

2005: First Pitch at ALCS

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

2005: Move to Kenwood, Chicago

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

2005: Household Income Reported

In 2005, the Obama's household income was approximately $1.6 million.

2006: Publication of The Audacity of Hope

In 2006, Obama's book, The Audacity of Hope, was published.

The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream

Check it on Amazon

2006: Interview highlighting the diversity of his extended family

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

August 2007: Obama on Being "Black Enough"

In August 2007, during a meeting of the National Association of Black Journalists, Obama addressed questions about whether he is "black enough", expressing puzzlement.

October 2007: Obama Acknowledges Youthful Image

In October 2007, during a campaign speech, Barack Obama acknowledged his youthful image, noting that he wouldn't be where he was if previous generations hadn't passed the torch to new ones.

December 2007: Net Worth Estimate by Money Magazine

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

2007: Discovery of Falmouth Kearney

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

January 2008: Christianity Today Interview

In January 2008, Barack Obama affirmed his Christian faith in an interview with Christianity Today.

May 2008: Resignation from Trinity United Church of Christ

In May 2008, during his first presidential campaign, Barack Obama resigned from Trinity United Church of Christ.

November 2, 2008: Death of Madelyn Dunham

On November 2, 2008, Madelyn Dunham, Obama's maternal grandmother, died.

2008: Nomination by the Democratic Party for President

In 2008, after a close primary campaign against Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama was nominated by the Democratic Party for president and selected Joe Biden as his running mate.

January 2009: Move to Washington, D.C.

In January 2009, the Obama family moved to Washington, D.C., and the daughters began attending Sidwell Friends School.

2009: Ceremonial First Pitch at All-Star Game

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

2009: Household Income Reported on Tax Return

In 2009, the Obama's tax return showed a household income of $5.5 million, primarily from book sales.

2009: "Thanks, Obama" phrase first appeared

In 2009, the saying "thanks, Obama" first appeared in a Twitter hashtag, "#thanks Obama". It was later used satirically to blame Obama for socio-economic issues.

2009: Move to Washington, D.C. and Church Attendance

Since moving to Washington, D.C., in 2009, the Obama family has occasionally attended several Protestant churches, including Shiloh Baptist Church and St. John's Episcopal Church, as well as Evergreen Chapel at Camp David.

December 31, 2009: Inmates sentenced in U.S. federal custody decline

From December 31, 2009, to December 31, 2015, inmates sentenced in U.S. federal custody declined by five percent.

September 27, 2010: Statement on Religious Views

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

2010: Charitable Donations

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, Obama met with his Irish cousins in Moneygall.

2011: Invitation to 1985 Chicago Bears to the White House

In 2011, Barack Obama invited the 1985 Chicago Bears to the White House after their 1986 Super Bowl win was overshadowed by the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

July 2012: Ancestry.com finds Dunham descended from John Punch

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

2012: Estimated Net Worth

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

2013: Addition of Sunny to the Obama Family

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

2015: Obama Uses "Thanks, Obama" Phrase

In 2015, Obama himself used the phrase "thanks, Obama" in a video.

December 31, 2015: Inmates sentenced in U.S. federal custody decline

From December 31, 2009, to December 31, 2015, inmates sentenced in U.S. federal custody declined by five percent.

2016: Inspirational Items

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

2016: Obama Uses "Thanks, Obama" Phrase Again

In 2016, Obama himself used the phrase "thanks, Obama" again in a video.

January 20, 2017: Obama's Presidency Ends

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

May 2017: Relationship with Sheila Miyoshi Jager Made Public

In May 2017, the previously private relationship between Barack Obama and anthropologist Sheila Miyoshi Jager became public knowledge, several months after Obama's presidency had ended.

2017: Stephen Colbert uses "Thanks, Obama"

In 2017, Stephen Colbert used the phrase "thanks, Obama" to express gratitude to Obama on his last day in office.

2019: Obama Buys Home on Martha's Vineyard

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

April 14, 2020: Obama Endorses Joe Biden for President

On April 14, 2020, Barack Obama endorsed Joe Biden, the presumptive nominee, for president in the presidential election, citing Biden's qualities needed in a president.

May 8, 2021: Death of Bo

On May 8, 2021, the Obama family's Portuguese Water Dog, Bo, died of cancer.

2022: President Biden's Twitter posts "Thanks, Obama"

In 2022, President Joe Biden's Twitter account posted the phrase "thanks, Obama".

March 2023: Obama Travels to Australia for Speaking Tour

In March 2023, Barack Obama visited Australia as part of a speaking tour, meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and visiting Melbourne for the first time, reportedly earning over $1 million for two speeches.