Obama Addresses 2004 Democratic Convention (2:51)
On July 27, 2004, Barack Obama, then a little-known Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate from Illinois, delivers the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. His speech, in which he describes his personal story of the American Dream, catapults him into the national spotlight.
Speeches & Audio (14)
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Obama Addresses 2004 Democratic Convention
Obama Addresses 2004 Democratic ConventionAudio Clip (2:51)
Audio Clip (2:51)
On July 27, 2004, Barack Obama, then a little-known Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate from Illinois, delivers the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention. His speech, in which he describes his personal story of the American Dream, catapults him into the national spotlight.
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Barack Obama Elected President
Barack Obama Elected PresidentAudio Clip (1:38)
Audio Clip (1:38)
On November 4, 2008, Barack Obama is elected the 44th president and becomes the first African-American chief executive of the United States. In his victory speech, President Obama remarks that "change has come to America."
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Obama's Inaugural Address
Obama's Inaugural AddressAudio Clip (2:16)
Audio Clip (2:16)
On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States and the nation's first African-American president. In his inaugural address, he reminds Americans that he is taking office "in the midst of crisis" but offers hope in meeting the challenge.
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Obama Signs Recovery Act
Obama Signs Recovery ActAudio Clip (0:43)
Audio Clip (0:43)
On February 17, 2009, in Denver, Colorado, President Barack Obama discusses the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act before he signs it into law. The $787 billion stimulus package was designed to create or save jobs in the wake of mass layoffs brought about by the Great Recession.
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Obama Nominates Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court
Obama Nominates Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme CourtAudio Clip (0:56)
Audio Clip (0:56)
On May 26, 2009, President Barack Obama announces his nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. When Sotomayor was sworn in on August 8, she became the first Hispanic justice to serve on the Supreme Court.
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Obama on the Death of Ted Kennedy
Obama on the Death of Ted KennedyAudio Clip (3:01)
Audio Clip (3:01)
On August 25, 2009, after a 46-year career in the Senate, Edward M. Kennedy died of brain cancer. The next day, President Barack Obama honors "one of the nation's greatest senators."
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Obama Signs Health Insurance Reform Bill
Obama Signs Health Insurance Reform BillAudio Clip (1:24)
Audio Clip (1:24)
On March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama refers to the century-long struggle that has led to the new bill he will sign into law to overhaul the health insurance industry.
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Obama on the BP Oil Spill
Obama on the BP Oil SpillAudio Clip (1:37)
Audio Clip (1:37)
On April 20, 2010, an explosion ripped through BP’s Deepwater Horizon drilling rig off the coast of Louisiana, causing the worst oil spill in U.S. history. On June 15, President Barack Obama informs the nation about the current state of the disaster as experts struggle to stop the spewing oil. It would be another month before the leak was finally capped.
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Obama Releases His Birth Certificate
Obama Releases His Birth CertificateAudio Clip (2:46)
Audio Clip (2:46)
People seeking to undermine Barack Obama's legitimacy as president circulated a rumor that he was not born in the United States. On April 27, 2011, Obama releases his long-form birth certificate and asks that the American people and press put an end to the "silliness" and focus on more important matters.
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Obama on the Egyptian Uprising
Obama on the Egyptian UprisingAudio Clip (2:14)
Audio Clip (2:14)
On January 25, 2011, Egyptians took to the streets in an uprising against President Hosni Mubarak. On the third day of the uprising, President Barack Obama addresses the American people after speaking to Mubarak about his country’s future.
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Obama on Rebellion in Libya
Obama on Rebellion in LibyaAudio Clip (1:28)
Audio Clip (1:28)
On February 23, 2011, in an address to the nation, President Barack Obama pledges that the United States will support the democratic rights of Libyan citizens in rebellion against Muammar el-Qaddafi's regime.
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Obama Approves Military Action in Libya
Obama Approves Military Action in LibyaAudio Clip (1:21)
Audio Clip (1:21)
On March 19, 2011, President Barack Obama announced authorization for U.S. armed forces to begin an aerial campaign in Libya to protect citizens protesting the government of Moammar el Qaddafi.
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Obama on Resignation of Hosni Mubarak
Obama on Resignation of Hosni MubarakAudio Clip (2:05)
Audio Clip (2:05)
On February 11, 2001, following 18 days of protests by the Egyptian people, President Hosni Mubarak announced that he would step down as leader of the country. President Barack Obama addresses the nation on this historic day.
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Obama Announces Death of Osama bin Laden
Obama Announces Death of Osama bin LadenAudio Clip (2:30)
Audio Clip (2:30)
In a dramatic late-night broadcast on May 2, 2011, President Barack Obama announces that the U.S. military and CIA operatives have located and killed the Al Qaeda leader in a nighttime raid on a compound in Pakistan where he had been hiding.
Videos (9)
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Deconstructing History: White House
Deconstructing History: White HouseVideo Clip (1:35)
Video Clip (1:35)
It may not have been home to the president until 1800 or even called the White House until 1901, but it remains a symbol of freedom and democracy throughout the world.
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Presidential Fun Facts
Presidential Fun FactsVideo Clip (1:21)
Video Clip (1:21)
The Oval Office has been filled with extraordinary presidents, but did you know about these not-so-famous firsts?
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Election 2008: Barack Obama
Election 2008: Barack ObamaVideo Clip (2:21)
Video Clip (2:21)
A look at Barack Obama's presidential campaign and historic win in the 2008 general election
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Inaugural Address: Barack H. Obama
Inaugural Address: Barack H. ObamaVideo Clip (3:22)
Video Clip (3:22)
An excerpt from Barack H. Obama's inaugural address on Tuesday, January 20, 2009.
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Becoming Barack Obama
Becoming Barack ObamaVideo Clip (5:49)
Video Clip (5:49)
A look at the events of Barack Obama's childhood and youth that influenced and shaped him into the person he is today.
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Barack Obama: Harvard
Barack Obama: HarvardVideo Clip (4:01)
Video Clip (4:01)
A look at the events of Barack Obama's childhood and youth that influenced and shaped him into the person he is today.
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Barack Obama The Politician
Barack Obama The PoliticianVideo Clip (1:52)
Video Clip (1:52)
Barack Obama's rise in politics from his first step into the public sphere to being elected State Senator of Illinois.
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Becoming A Candidate: Barack Obama
Becoming A Candidate: Barack ObamaVideo Clip (3:36)
Video Clip (3:36)
Barack Obama speaks at the 2004 Democratic National Convention and is launched onto the national political stage. After winning a seat in the US Senate, he enters the Democratic race for the White House.
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Path to the Podium: Barack Obama
Path to the Podium: Barack ObamaVideo Clip (3:18)
Video Clip (3:18)
Follow Barack Obama's political journey from his early years to the White House.
Photo Galleries (3)
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Barack Obama
Barack Obama(18 Photos)
18 Photos
The 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama was elected in 2008 and is the first African American to hold the office.
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Hawaii
Hawaii(12 Photos)
12 Photos
View pictures from the state of Hawaii on History. See images of famous locations that represent the state.
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Presidents and Their Children
Presidents and Their Children(14 Photos)
14 Photos
First families have shared the public spotlight with each president of the United States.
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The 44th president of the United States, Obama is the first African American to hold the office.
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