Barack Obama is a former American politician who served as the 44th President of the United States from 2009 to 2017. He is the first African American to have held office and the first to have been elected to two consecutive terms. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 4, 1961, to a Kenyan father and an American mother.

Barack Obama attended Harvard Law School, where he graduated with honors in 1991. He then practiced law in Chicago and taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004. Obama was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 1996 and to the U.S. Senate in 2004. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President of the United States in the 2008 election and won the election with over 52% of the popular vote.

As President, Obama was known for his progressive policies and his ability to bring people together to tackle difficult issues. He passed the Affordable Care Act, providing health care to millions of Americans and expanding access to preventative care. He also signed the Paris Climate Agreement, which committed the U.S. to reduce carbon emissions.

Obama's foreign policy focused on counter-terrorism, the use of drones, and the promotion of democracy and human rights. He was instrumental in the US-led campaign against ISIS in Iraq and Syria and in the US-led nuclear deal with Iran. He was also a strong advocate for LGBT rights, and his administration supported marriage equality.

Barack Obama left office with a high approval rating, seen by many as a successful two-term President. He is now a public speaker, author, and philanthropist. In 2019, Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to promote nuclear disarmament and world peace.

Barack Obama is also a strong supporter of education and has been vocal about the importance of education reform. He increased funding for Pell Grants and supported the expansion of college access and affordability. He also championed the expansion of Head Start, a program that helps children from low-income families prepare for school.

In addition to his work in politics and government, Obama is a bestselling author. His books include Dreams From My Father, The Audacity of Hope, and A Promised Land. He also founded the Obama Foundation, which works to inspire and empower citizens to create change in their own communities.

Discover the Best Books Written by Hampton Sides

Best author’s book

The Wide Wide Sea: Imperial Ambition, First Contact and the Fateful Final Voyage of Captain James Cook

Written books