History of Barack Obama in Timeline

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 saw the passage of the Affordable Care Act, the end of the Iraq War, and the killing of Osama bin Laden. He is viewed as a significant figure in American history.

Sections (7)

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

1985: Woods Fund of Chicago

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

1985: 1985 Chicago Bears

In 2011, Obama invited the 1985 Chicago Bears to the White House.

1986: 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster

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

October 1987: Meeting Jeremiah Wright

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

June 1989: Meeting Michelle Robinson

In June 1989, Barack Obama met Michelle Robinson while working at Sidley Austin. Michelle was assigned as his adviser for three months. She initially declined his requests to date.

1991: Engagement to Michelle Robinson

In 1991, Barack Obama and Michelle Robinson became engaged, solidifying their commitment to each other.

October 3, 1992: Marriage to Michelle Robinson

On October 3, 1992, Barack Obama married Michelle Robinson, marking a significant milestone in their relationship.

1992: Membership in Trinity United Church of Christ

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

1994: Board of Directors of the Woods Fund of Chicago

From 1994 to 2002, Obama served on the boards of directors of the Woods Fund of Chicago.

1995: Board of Directors of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge

From 1995 to 2002, Obama served on the board of directors of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge.

1996: Election to the Illinois Senate

In 1996, Barack Obama was elected to the Illinois Senate, succeeding Alice Palmer from Illinois's 13th District.

1998: Birth of Malia Ann Obama

In 1998, Barack and Michelle Obama's first daughter, Malia Ann, was born. Michelle conceived Malia through in vitro fertilization after suffering a miscarriage.

1998: Re-election to the Illinois Senate

In 1998, Obama was re-elected to the Illinois Senate, defeating Republican Yesse Yehudah.

1999: Obama's service as founding president and chairman

From 1995 to 1999, Obama served as founding president and chairman of the board of directors of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge

2000: Loss in Democratic Primary

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

2001: Birth of Natasha (Sasha) Obama

In 2001, Barack and Michelle Obama's second daughter, Natasha, also known as Sasha, was born. Michelle conceived Sasha through in vitro fertilization.

2001: Support for Payday Loan Regulations

In 2001, as co-chairman of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, Barack Obama supported Republican governor George Ryan's payday loan regulations and predatory mortgage lending regulations.

May 2002: Commissioning of Poll for U.S. Senate Race

In May 2002, Barack Obama commissioned a poll to assess his prospects in a 2004 U.S. Senate race.

August 2002: Lining Up Political Media Consultant

By August 2002, Obama had lined up political media consultant David Axelrod for his potential U.S. Senate campaign.

October 2, 2002: Address at Anti-Iraq War Rally

On October 2, 2002, Barack Obama addressed the first high-profile Chicago anti-Iraq War rally, speaking out against the impending war.

2002: End of Board Service

From 1994 to 2002, Obama served on the boards of directors of the Woods Fund of Chicago and the Joyce Foundation. He ended his service in 2002.

2002: Re-election to the Illinois Senate

In 2002, Obama was re-elected again to the Illinois Senate.

January 2003: Chairman of Illinois Senate's Health and Human Services Committee

In January 2003, Barack Obama became chairman of the Illinois Senate's Health and Human Services Committee.

January 2003: Formal Announcement of Candidacy

In January 2003, Barack Obama formally announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate.

March 2003: Address at Anti-War Rally

In March 2003, Obama addressed another anti-war rally, stating "it's not too late" to stop the war.

March 2004: Landslide Victory in Primary Election

In the March 2004 primary election, Barack Obama won in an unexpected landslide, making him a rising star within the national Democratic Party.

June 2004: Withdrawal of Jack Ryan from Senate Race

In June 2004, Jack Ryan, Obama's expected opponent in the general election, withdrew from the race.

July 2004: Keynote Address at Democratic National Convention

In July 2004, Barack Obama delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, which was well-received and elevated his status within the Democratic Party.

November 2004: Resignation from Illinois Senate

In November 2004, Barack Obama resigned from the Illinois Senate following his election to the U.S. Senate.

November 2004: Victory in General Election

In the November 2004 general election, Barack Obama won with 70 percent of the vote, the largest margin of victory for a Senate candidate in Illinois history.

2004: Campaign for US Senate

Obama commissioned a poll to assess his prospects in a 2004 U.S. Senate race in May 2002.

January 3, 2005: Swearing-in as Senator

On January 3, 2005, Barack Obama was sworn in as a senator, becoming the only Senate member of the Congressional Black Caucus.

2005: Throwing 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 Hyde Park, Chicago condominium to a $1.6 million house in neighboring Kenwood, Chicago, using proceeds from a book deal.

2005: Household Income

Obama's household income in 2005 was $1.6 million.

December 2006: Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act Signed into Law

In December 2006, the Democratic Republic of the Congo Relief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act, the first federal legislation with Obama as its primary sponsor, was signed into law by President Bush.

December 2006: Senate Committee Assignments

Through December 2006, Obama held assignments on the Senate Committees for Foreign Relations, Environment and Public Works, and Veterans' Affairs.

2006: Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act

In 2006, Obama authorized the establishment of USAspending.gov, a web search engine on federal spending, through the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006.

January 2007: Introduction of Corporate Jet Provision

In January 2007, Obama and Senator Feingold introduced a corporate jet provision to the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act.

January 2007: Changes in Senate Committee Assignments

In January 2007, Obama left the Environment and Public Works committee and took additional assignments with Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. He also became Chairman of the Senate's subcommittee on European Affairs.

February 10, 2007: Announcement of Presidential Candidacy

On February 10, 2007, Barack Obama announced his candidacy for President of the United States in front of the Old State Capitol building in Springfield, Illinois.

September 2007: Honest Leadership and Open Government Act Signed into Law

In September 2007, the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, which included a corporate jet provision introduced by Obama, was signed into law.

December 2007: Money Magazine Estimate of Obama's Net Worth

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

2007: Sponsorship of Amendment to Defense Authorization Act

In 2007, Barack Obama sponsored an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act to add safeguards for personality-disorder military discharges.

2007: Law License Inactive

Obama's law license became inactive in 2007.

January 2008: Statement on Christian Faith

In January 2008, Barack Obama affirmed his Christian faith, stating his belief in the redemptive death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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 after some of Jeremiah Wright's statements were criticized.

June 3, 2008: Introduction of Follow-Up Legislation

On June 3, 2008, Senator Obama introduced follow-up legislation: Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act of 2008.

November 16, 2008: Resignation from Senate Seat

On November 16, 2008, Barack Obama resigned his Senate seat to focus on his transition period for the presidency.

2008: Passage of Amendment to Defense Authorization Act

In the spring of 2008, Obama's amendment to the Defense Authorization Act passed the full Senate.

January 2009: Move to Washington, D.C. and Enrollment at Sidwell Friends School

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

February 2009: Troop increase in Afghanistan

In February 2009, early in his presidency, Obama moved to bolster U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan. He announced an increase in U.S. troop levels to 17,000 military personnel to "stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan".

February 27, 2009: Obama announces end to combat operations in Iraq

On February 27, 2009, Obama announced that combat operations in Iraq would end within 18 months.

May 2009: Replacement of military commander in Afghanistan

In May 2009, Obama replaced the military commander in Afghanistan, General David D. McKiernan, with former Special Forces commander Lt. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal.

December 1, 2009: Deployment of additional troops to Afghanistan

On December 1, 2009, Obama announced the deployment of an additional 30,000 military personnel to Afghanistan and proposed to begin troop withdrawals 18 months from that date.

2009: Throwing 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: Household Income Reported

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

2009: Church Attendance 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 family does not attend church on a regular basis.

March 2010: Obama against Israeli housing projects in East Jerusalem

In March 2010, 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.

June 2010: David Petraeus replaces McChrystal

In June 2010, David Petraeus replaced McChrystal as military commander in Afghanistan, after McChrystal's staff criticized White House personnel in a magazine article.

July 2010: CIA receives information on Osama bin Laden's hideout

Starting with information received from Central Intelligence Agency operatives in July 2010, the CIA developed intelligence over the next several months that determined what they believed to be the hideout of Osama bin Laden.

August 2010: Withdrawal of combat troops completed

By August 2010, the Obama administration scheduled the withdrawal of combat troops to be completed, decreasing troop's levels from 142,000 while leaving a transitional force of about 50,000 in Iraq until the end of 2011.

August 19, 2010: Last U.S. combat brigade exits Iraq

On August 19, 2010, the last U.S. combat brigade exited Iraq.

August 31, 2010: Obama announces end of U.S. combat mission in Iraq

On August 31, 2010, Obama announced that the United States combat mission in Iraq was over.

September 27, 2010: Obama releases statement on his religious views

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

2010: Charitable Donations

In 2010, Obama donated 14 percent of his $1.7 million income to non-profit organizations, including $131,000 to the Fisher House Foundation.

2010: Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act

In 2010, The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act incorporated Obama's Iran Sanctions Enabling Act supporting divestment of state pension funds from Iran's oil and gas industry.

February 2011: Protests begin in Libya against Muammar Gaddafi

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

March 2011: CIA reports intelligence to President Obama

In March 2011, CIA head Leon Panetta reported intelligence regarding Osama bin Laden's hideout to President Obama.

May 1, 2011: Osama bin Laden killed in surgical raid

On May 1, 2011, a "surgical raid" authorized by Obama and conducted by United States Navy SEALs resulted in the shooting death of Osama bin Laden and the seizure of papers, computer drives and disks from the compound.

July 2011: Troop withdrawals begin in Afghanistan

In July 2011, troop withdrawals began in Afghanistan, 18 months after Obama announced the deployment of additional troops.

August 18, 2011: Obama: "The time has come for President Assad to step aside."

On August 18, 2011, several months after the start of the Syrian civil war, Obama issued a written statement that said: "The time has come for President Assad to step aside."

October 21, 2011: Obama announces full troop withdrawal from Iraq

On October 21, 2011, President Obama announced that all U.S. troops would leave Iraq in time to be "home for the holidays."

2011: Inviting the 1985 Chicago Bears to the White House

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

2012: Obama authorizes programs to train anti-Assad rebels

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

2012: Financial Disclosure

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

February 2013: U.S. to reduce troop level in Afghanistan

In February 2013, Obama said the U.S. military would reduce the troop level in Afghanistan from 68,000 to 34,000 U.S. troops by February 2014.

December 10, 2013: Obama shakes hands with Raúl Castro

On December 10, 2013, Cuban President Raúl Castro greeted and shook hands with Obama at the Nelson Mandela memorial service in Johannesburg.

2013: Addition of Sunny to the Obama Family

In 2013, the Obama family added Sunny, a female Portuguese Water Dog, to their family, joining their other dog, Bo.

February 2014: Troop level in Afghanistan reduced

By February 2014, the U.S. military had reduced the troop level in Afghanistan from 68,000 to 34,000 U.S. troops.

June 2014: Obama sends troops to Baghdad following ISIL capture of Mosul

In June 2014, following the capture of Mosul by ISIL, Obama sent 275 troops to provide support and security for U.S. personnel and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

August 2014: Obama orders airstrikes against ISIL during Sinjar massacre

In August 2014, during the Sinjar massacre, Obama ordered a campaign of U.S. airstrikes against ISIL.

December 2014: Negotiated restoration of relations with Cuba

In December 2014, it was announced that Obama, with Pope Francis as an intermediary, had negotiated a restoration of relations with Cuba, after nearly sixty years of détente.

2014: Obama authorizes air campaign against ISIL

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

2014: Obama likens the Zionist movement to the civil rights movement

In 2014, Obama likened the Zionist movement to the civil rights movement in the United States. He said both movements seek to bring justice and equal rights to historically persecuted peoples.

March 2015: Obama authorizes support to Saudis in Yemen

In March 2015, Obama authorized U.S. forces to provide logistical and intelligence support to the Saudis in their military intervention in Yemen and established a "Joint Planning Cell" with Saudi Arabia.

July 1, 2015: Formal diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States resume

On July 1, 2015, President Obama announced that formal diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States would resume, and embassies would be opened in Washington and Havana.

August 13, 2015: Cuba upgrades "interests sections" to embassies

On August 13, 2015, Cuba's "interests sections" in the capitals of the United States was upgraded to embassies.

October 2015: Pentagon program to train anti-Assad rebels abandoned

In October 2015, the Pentagon-run program to train anti-Assad rebels was formally abandoned after it was found to have failed.

October 2015: Plan to keep U.S. Forces in Afghanistan indefinitely

In October 2015, the White House announced a plan to keep U.S. Forces in Afghanistan indefinitely in light of the deteriorating security situation.

November 2015: Obama reaffirms stance on Assad stepping aside

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

2015: Obama criticized for advocating and signing the Iran Nuclear Deal

In 2015, Obama was harshly criticized by Israel for advocating and signing the Iran Nuclear Deal; Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had advocated the U.S. congress to oppose it, said the deal was "dangerous" and "bad."

2015: Increase in U.S. ground troops in Iraq

In early 2015, with the addition of the "Panther Brigade" of the 82nd Airborne Division, the number of U.S. ground troops in Iraq increased to 4,400, and by July American-led coalition air forces counted 44,000 sorties over the battlefield.

March 2016: Obama visits Havana, Cuba

In March 2016, Obama visited Havana, Cuba for two days, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to arrive since Calvin Coolidge in 1928.

September 2016: Obama snubbed at Hangzhou International Airport

In September 2016, Obama was snubbed by Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party as he descended from Air Force One to the tarmac of Hangzhou International Airport for the 2016 G20 Hangzhou summit without the usual red carpet welcome.

December 23, 2016: U.S. 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 as a violation of international law, effectively allowing it to pass.

2016: Obama on Libya intervention being a mess

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". He has stated that the lack of preparation surrounding the days following the government's overthrow was the "worst mistake" of his presidency.

2016: Inspiration from Personal Items

In 2016, Barack Obama mentioned that he draws inspiration from a few items that remind him of people he's met, including rosary beads from Pope Francis, a Hanuman figurine, a Coptic cross from Ethiopia, a Buddha statue, and a metal poker chip.

2016: Proposed arms deal with Saudi Arabia and halted sale of guided munition technology

In 2016, the Obama administration proposed a series of arms deals with Saudi Arabia worth $115 billion. However, 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.

January 5, 2017: U.S. 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 United Nations organization, which totaled $6 million, in response to the U.S. abstention from United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334.

May 2017: Relationship with Sheila Miyoshi Jager Made Public

In May 2017, after Obama's presidency had ended, his earlier relationship with anthropologist Sheila Miyoshi Jager became public knowledge. Obama had proposed to her twice in the 1980s, but was turned down both times.