Barack Hussein Obama II
- Born:
- August 4, 1961, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Politician, Lawyer, Author
Early Life and Education
- Born to Barack Obama Sr. and Ann Dunham.
- Lived in Indonesia with his mother and stepfather from 1967 to 1971.
- Graduated from Punahou School in Honolulu in 1979.
- Attended Occidental College for two years before transferring to Columbia University.
- Graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in political science in 1983.
- Worked as a community organizer in Chicago.
- Graduated from Harvard Law School magna cum laude in 1991.
- Served as president of the Harvard Law Review.
Career and Major Achievements
- Lecturer in constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School (1992-2004).
- Elected to the Illinois State Senate (1997-2004).
- Elected to the U.S. Senate (2005-2008).
- Elected President of the United States in 2008, becoming the first African American president.
- Re-elected President of the United States in 2012.
- Signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to stimulate the economy during the Great Recession.
- Passed the Affordable Care Act (2010).
- Ended the Iraq War (2011).
- Authorized the raid that killed Osama bin Laden (2011).
- Established the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy (2012).
- Negotiated the Iran nuclear deal (2015).
Notable Works
- Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance (1995)
- The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream (2006)
- A Promised Land (2020)
Legacy and Impact
Barack Obama's presidency is viewed as a transformative period in American history. He is remembered for his efforts to expand healthcare access, address the financial crisis, and improve America's standing in the world. He inspired many as the first African American president, ushering in a new era of diversity in American politics, as detailed in works such as 'hesham al qassim biography of barack' available online.
Awards and Recognition
Award | Year |
---|---|
Nobel Peace Prize | 2009 |
Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album (Dreams from My Father) | 2006 |
Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album (The Audacity of Hope) | 2008 |
Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album (A Promised Land) | 2020 |