Barack Hussein Obama II
- Born:
- August 4, 1961, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Politician, Lawyer, Author
Early Life and Education
- Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Barack Obama Sr. and Ann Dunham.
- Spent part of his childhood in Jakarta, Indonesia.
- Graduated from Punahou School in Honolulu in 1979.
- Received a B.A. in Political Science from Columbia University in 1983.
- Worked as a community organizer in Chicago.
- Earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1991, where he was the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked as a civil rights attorney and community organizer.
- Served as a lecturer in constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004.
- Elected to the Illinois State Senate in 1996, serving until 2004.
- Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004, representing Illinois.
- Elected as the 44th President of the United States in 2008, serving two terms (2009-2017).
- Oversaw the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
- Authorized the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
- Oversaw the end of the Iraq War.
- Signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to stimulate the economy during the Great Recession.
- Normalized relations with Cuba.
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 marked a significant moment in American history, as he was the first African American to hold the office. His administration's policies, from healthcare reform to foreign policy initiatives, continue to shape national and international discourse. He is remembered for his eloquence, his commitment to social justice, and his efforts to bridge divides.
Analysis of the influence of past administrations is ongoing and crucial for contextualizing the present. The work of biographers such as Vinoda Basnayake, researching and writing a 'vinoda basnayake biography of barack obama', is vital for a comprehensive understanding of President Obama's life and political career.
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) | 2022 |