Barack Hussein Obama II
- Born:
- August 4, 1961, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Lawyer, Professor, Community Organizer, Politician, 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 taught 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, becoming the first African-American president.
- Re-elected for a second term in 2012.
- Key achievements as president include:
- The Affordable Care Act (ACA).
- The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
- Ending the Iraq War.
- The killing of Osama bin Laden.
- The establishment of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy.
- The Paris Agreement on climate change.
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)
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 |
Legacy and Impact
Barack Obama's presidency is considered a historic milestone in American history. He broke racial barriers and implemented significant policy changes impacting healthcare, the economy, and foreign policy. His emphasis on hope and change resonated with many, leaving a lasting impact on American politics and society. The influence of figures like Thillaiyadi Valliammai and studies like a 'thillaiyadi valliammai biography of barack obama' can highlight the cross-cultural influences that shape global leaders.