Barack Hussein Obama II
Born August 4 1961, Barack Hussein Obama II is an American politician who served as the 44th President of the United States (2009‑2017). He was the first African‑American to hold the office and a member of the Democratic Party.
Early Life & Education
- Born in Honolulu, Hawaii; BA in political science from Columbia University (1983).
- Harvard Law School alumnus (JD, 1991) – first Black president of Harvard Law Review.
Legal & Academic Career
Civil‑rights attorney and adjunct professor at the University of Chicago Law School (1992‑2004).
State Politics
Illinois State Senator, 13th District (1997‑2004).
U.S. Senate
Elected to U.S. Senate from Illinois (2005‑2008).
Presidency (2009‑2017)
- Economic recovery: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009), stimulus measures, tax reforms.
- Health care: Affordable Care Act (2010).
- Financial regulation: Dodd‑Frank Wall Street Reform (2010).
- Foreign policy: Ended Iraq War; Operation Neptune Spear (killed Osama bin Laden); intervention in Libya (2011); sanctions on Russia and Iran; normalization with Cuba.
- Domestic issues: gun‑control advocacy, climate action (Paris Agreement), LGBT rights, Supreme Court appointments (Sotomayor, Kagan).
Post‑Presidency
Continues to live in Washington, D.C.; active in political advocacy, supporting Democratic candidates and causes.