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 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

2006: Received Grammy Award for Dreams from My Father

Obama received a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Dreams from My Father in 2006.

Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance

Check it on Amazon

2008: Named TIME Magazine's Person of the Year

Obama was named TIME Magazine's Time Person of the Year in 2008.

June 4, 2009: Obama's speech at Cairo University

On June 4, 2009, President Obama delivered a speech at Cairo University in Egypt calling for "A New Beginning" in relations between the Islamic world and the United States and promoting Middle East peace.

2009: Obama Received Nobel Peace Prize

In 2009, Obama received the Norwegian Nobel Committee's Nobel Peace Prize.

March 23, 2010: Obama signs Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law

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

2012: Named TIME Magazine's Person of the Year

Obama was named TIME Magazine's Time Person of the Year in 2012.

2014: Obama Received Shoah Foundation Award

In 2014, Obama received The Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education's Ambassador of Humanity Award.

2015: Obama Ranked 18th-Greatest American President

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

December 2016: Obama bans 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 on the aftermath of the intervention in Libya

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".

January 2017: Obama leaves office with 60 percent approval rating

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

2017: Left Office with High Approval Ratings

In 2017, Obama left office with high approval ratings.

2017: Obama received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award

In 2017, Obama received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.

2018: Obama's Retrospective Approval Rating at 63 Percent

In 2018, Gallup's retrospective approval polls of former presidents showed Obama with a 63 percent approval rating.

2018: Obama Received Robert F. Kennedy Center Award

In 2018, Obama received the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights Ripple of Hope Award.

2018: Obama received a 63 percent approval rating

In Gallup's 2018 job approval poll for the past 10 U.S. presidents, Obama received a 63 percent approval rating.

2021: Presidential library construction begins

In 2021, Obama's presidential library began construction in the South Side of Chicago.

2022: Received Primetime Emmy Award for Our Great National Parks

Obama received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narrator for Our Great National Parks in 2022.

Loading Video...

2023: Obama's Retrospective Approval Rating at 63 Percent Again

In 2023, Obama garnered a 63 percent approval rating in Gallup's retrospective approval polls of former presidents, ranking him the fourth most popular president since World War II.