Interesting Facts About Barack Obama

Barack Obama is one of the most well-known and influential men of our time. He served two terms as the 44th President of the United States, and his legacy continues to stand strong even after he left office. There are many interesting facts about Barack Obama that many people may not know. Here are 30 top facts about Barack Obama to help you better understand his life and accomplishments.

1. Obama was born in Hawaii

Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 4, 1961, making him the first and only U.S. President to be born in Hawaii.

2. Obama is the first African-American President

Barack Obama is the first African-American President to hold office in the United States. He is also the first president of mixed heritage, with a Kenyan father and an American mother.

3. Obama is a Harvard Law graduate

Barack Obama graduated from Harvard Law School in 1991, becoming the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review.

4. Obama was a community organizer

Prior to entering politics, Barack Obama worked as a community organizer in Chicago. He worked to help low-income families in the city and was instrumental in helping to create the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, a $50 million grant program focused on education reform.

5. Obama was a state senator from Illinois

Before becoming a U.S. Senator, Barack Obama served as a state senator from Illinois from 1997 to 2004. During his tenure, he passed several pieces of legislation, including a major health care reform bill.

6. Obama was the first African-American U.S. Senator from Illinois

In 2005, Barack Obama was elected as the first African-American U.S. Senator from Illinois. He was re-elected in 2008 and served until his election as President in 2009.

7. Obama was the first presidential candidate to use social media

During the 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama was the first presidential candidate to use social media in a major way, including the use of Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

8. Obama wrote two books

Barack Obama has written two books, Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope. Both books have become bestsellers and have been translated into multiple languages.

9. Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

In 2009, Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”

10. Obama was a professor at the University of Chicago Law School

Before entering politics, Barack Obama taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004.

11. Obama is a supporter of LGBT rights

Barack Obama has been a vocal supporter of LGBT rights throughout his career. He signed the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which allowed gay men and women to serve openly in the military, and was the first sitting president to support same-sex marriage.

12. Obama was the first president to visit Cuba

In MarcH2016, Barack Obama became the first sitting president to visit Cuba in over 90 years. The visit was part of his efforts to normalize diplomatic relations between the two countries.

13. Obama is a basketball fan

Barack Obama is an avid basketball fan and is known to play pickup games in the White House. He is also a big fan of the Chicago Bulls and was seen in attendance at several of their games during his presidency.

14. Obama’s middle name is Hussein

Barack Obama’s full name is Barack Hussein Obama II. His middle name was chosen in honor of his Kenyan father.

15. Obama is a Grammy winner

Barack Obama won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album in 2006 for the audio version of his book, Dreams from My Father.

16. Obama is a Nobel Prize recipient

In 2009, Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in promoting international diplomacy and cooperation.

17. Obama is a best-selling author

Barack Obama is a best-selling author, with his books Dreams from My Father and The Audacity of Hope both selling millions of copies worldwide.

18. Obama is the most followed world leader on Twitter

Barack Obama has the most followers of any world leader on Twitter, with over 120 million people following him.

19. Obama has a half-sister

Barack Obama has a half-sister named Maya Soetoro-Ng, who is the daughter of his mother and her Indonesian husband.

20. Obama is a Chicago Bulls fan

Barack Obama is a big fan of the Chicago Bulls and was seen in attendance at several of their games during his presidency.

21. Obama was a part-time professor at the University of Chicago Law School

Before entering politics, Barack Obama was a part-time professor at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004.

22. Obama was the first president to visit Hiroshima

In 2016, Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Hiroshima, Japan, where he paid tribute to the victims of the atomic bomb dropped by the U.S. during World War II.

23. Obama was a civil rights attorney

Barack Obama worked as a civil rights attorney in Chicago from 1993 to 2004, representing clients in housing, employment, and voting rights cases.

24. Obama is a Nobel Laureate

Barack Obama is the only U.S. President to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, which he received in 2009 for his efforts to promote international diplomacy and cooperation.

25. Obama is a graduate of Columbia University

Barack Obama graduated from Columbia University in 1983 with a degree in political science.

26. Obama was the first president to visit Kenya

In 2015, Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Kenya, the homeland of his father.

27. Obama is an avid reader

Barack Obama is an avid reader, with his favorite books including Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon, Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms, and Cormac McCarthy’s All the Pretty Horses.

28. Obama was the first president to support same-sex marriage

In 2012, Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to publicly support same-sex marriage.

29. Obama is a father of two

Barack Obama is the father of two daughters, Malia and Sasha, with his wife Michelle.

30. Obama has a dog named Bo

Barack Obama has a Portuguese Water Dog named Bo, who was a gift from the late Senator Ted Kennedy.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the interesting facts about Barack Obama. He was an influential leader who was passionate about civil rights and international diplomacy. His legacy will continue to be remembered for generations to come.