Lasting Legacy of Barack Obama: A Look at the Influence on History

A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Barack Obama across different fields.

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. Prior to his political career, Obama was a community organizer and civil rights attorney. He is a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School.

Sections (7)

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

1969: United States federal hate-crime law

In 1969, the United States federal hate-crime law was created and later expanded by Obama in 2009 to include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

1995: Publication of "Dreams from My Father"

In mid-1995, Obama's memoir "Dreams from My Father" was published.

Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance

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2007: Discovery of Ancestral Link in Moneygall, Ireland

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.

March 23, 2010: Signing the Affordable Care Act into Law

On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), colloquially known as "Obamacare", into law.

July 2012: Ancestry.com Finds Link to Enslaved African Man

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.

2015: Brookings Institution rank

In 2015, the Brookings Institution ranked Obama the 18th-greatest American president.

December 2016: Permanent Ban on Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling

In December 2016, President Obama permanently banned new offshore oil and gas drilling in most United States-owned waters in the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, using the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Act.

2016: Obama's Regret Over Libya Intervention

In 2016, President Obama said "Our coalition could have and should have done more to fill a vacuum left behind" and that it was "a mess" regarding the Libyan intervention. He stated that the lack of preparation surrounding the days following the government's overthrow was the "worst mistake" of his presidency.