Presidency of Barack Obama facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Presidency of Barack Obama
January 20, 2009 – January 20, 2017
Cabinet	See list
Party	Democratic
Election	2008 2012
Seat	White House
← George W. Bush • Donald Trump →

Barack Obama served as the 44th president of the United States. His time in office began on January 20, 2009, and ended on January 20, 2017. Obama, a Democrat from Illinois, became president after winning the 2008 election against Republican John McCain. Four years later, he won re-election in the 2012 election, defeating Republican Mitt Romney. Barack Obama made history as the first African American president. He was also the first president born in Hawaii. After his two terms, Republican Donald Trump became president in 2017. Many experts and historians consider Obama's presidency to be among the most important in American history.

Obama's Time as President

Barack Obama achieved many things during his first 100 days in office. He signed a law called the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. This law made it easier for people to challenge unfair pay based on gender. He also expanded the Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP). This program helps more children get health insurance. Obama also worked to make government more ethical. He put in place new rules to reduce the influence of lobbyists. He also ordered the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. This camp is in Cuba, but it remains open today.

During his first two years, Obama signed several important laws. These included the Affordable Care Act, also known as "Obamacare." This law aimed to make health care more affordable and accessible. He also signed the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. This law brought new rules for banks and financial companies. Another key law was the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010. This law allowed openly gay people to serve in the military.

To help the economy during the Great Recession, Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This act provided money for jobs and projects. He also signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. This law helped stimulate the economy. Later, after a big discussion about the national debt, he signed the Budget Control Act of 2011.

In foreign policy, Obama increased the number of US troops in Afghanistan. He also worked to reduce nuclear weapons with Russia through the New START treaty. He ended the main military involvement in the Iraq War. One of his most well-known actions was ordering Operation Neptune Spear. This was the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, who was responsible for the September 11 attacks. Obama also ordered military actions in Libya to help with a United Nations resolution.

After winning re-election, Obama started his second term on January 20, 2013. During this time, he addressed concerns about privacy and government surveillance. He also supported fairness for all Americans. His administration encouraged the Supreme Court to make sure everyone had equal rights.

Obama also pushed for gun control measures. He supported banning certain types of weapons. He took executive actions on global warming and immigration. In foreign policy, he ordered military actions in Iraq and Syria against ISIL. He also helped create the 2015 Paris Agreement on global climate change. This agreement aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.

Obama also started normalizing US relations with Cuba. He worked on a nuclear deal with Iran called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. This deal aimed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. During his presidency, Obama nominated three judges to the Supreme Court. Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan were confirmed and became justices.

Important Laws and Actions

Obama's presidency saw many important laws and actions. Here are some of the key areas:

Economic Policies

• Helping the Economy:
  • American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: This law provided money for jobs and projects to boost the economy.
  • Automotive industry bailout: The government helped save major car companies.
• Financial System Reforms:
  • Credit CARD Act of 2009: This law protected consumers from unfair credit card practices.
  • Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act: This law created new rules for banks to prevent another financial crisis.
• Taxes and Spending:
  • Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010: This law extended tax cuts and unemployment benefits.
  • Budget Control Act of 2011: This act set limits on government spending.
  • American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012: This law made changes to tax rates.
• Government Shutdown and Debt:
  • In 2013, there was a debate over the national debt and a government shutdown. Laws like the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014 and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 helped resolve these issues.

Other Domestic Policies

• Healthcare Reform:
  • Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare): This law aimed to make health insurance more affordable and available to more people.
• Education:
  • Race to the Top: A program that offered grants to states for education reform.
  • Every Student Succeed Act: This law replaced No Child Left Behind, giving states more control over education.
• Climate Change:
  • Clean Power Plan: A plan to reduce carbon pollution from power plants.
• Immigration:
  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): This program allowed some young undocumented immigrants to stay in the US.
• Social Policies:
  • Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act: This law helped ensure equal pay for equal work.
  • Matthew Shepard Act: This law expanded hate crime laws to include more groups.
  • Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010: This law allowed openly gay people to serve in the military.
• Intelligence and Privacy:
  • USA Freedom Act: This law changed how the government collected phone data, aiming to protect privacy.

Foreign Policy Actions

• Trade Agreements:
  • Obama's administration worked on new trade deals with countries like Panama, Colombia, and South Korea.
• Arms Control:
  • New START: A treaty with Russia to reduce nuclear weapons.
• Climate Change:
  • Paris Agreement: An international agreement to address global climate change.
• Iraq and Afghanistan:
  • Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq: Obama ended the main military presence in Iraq.
  • War in Afghanistan: US troops remained in Afghanistan, with some withdrawals later.
• Relations with Cuba and Iran:
  • Cuban thaw: The US began to normalize relations with Cuba after many years.
  • Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran: An agreement to limit Iran's nuclear program.
• Other Military Operations:
  • Killing of Osama bin Laden: The raid that killed the leader of al-Qaeda.
  • 2011 military intervention in Libya: US forces participated in an international effort in Libya.
  • Military intervention against ISIL: Actions taken against the terrorist group ISIL.

Supreme Court Nominations

• Sonia Sotomayor: Confirmed as a justice.
• Elena Kagan: Confirmed as a justice.
• Merrick Garland: Nominated but not confirmed by the Senate.

Public Opinion and Legacy

As Barack Obama left office, many historians and experts shared their thoughts on his time as president. Everyone agreed that he would always be remembered as the first African American president. Many also noted that he helped the economy recover from a difficult period. He also passed important laws for the country. However, some also pointed out that political disagreements remained strong during his presidency. The full impact of his time in office will continue to be studied for many years.

Cultural Impact

During Barack Obama's presidency, certain TV shows became very popular and reflected the times. For example, the American sitcom Parks and Recreation was seen by some as a show that captured the feeling of the era. Other shows like Breaking Bad, Veep, and Empire were also very popular and helped define the cultural landscape during these years.

Images for kids

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  2008 Electoral College vote results

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  Outgoing President George W. Bush and President-elect Barack Obama on November 10, 2008

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  Obama and Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor

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  Percentage of Individuals in the United States without Health Insurance, 1963–2015 (Source: JAMA)

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  Obama speaking with former President Bill Clinton and Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett about job creation in July 2010

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  Republican John Boehner of Ohio was the powerful Speaker of the House in 2011–2015.

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  The White House lit with the LGBT rainbow flag celebrating the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States, June 26, 2015

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  Obama makes a call to the crew of the International Space Station.

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  "Beer Summit" at the White House, July 30, 2009

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  President Obama speaks at Kennedy Space Center, April 15, 2010.

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  Obama made 52 international trips to 58 different countries during his presidency.

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  President Obama speaks with US troops at Camp Victory, Iraq, April 2009

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  The first meeting between Dmitry Medvedev and Barack Obama before the G20 summit in London on April 1, 2009

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  The Obama administration maintained existing trade agreements and concluded new ones with Panama, Colombia, and South Korea

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  Obama, sitting next to Biden, with the US national security team gathered in the Situation Room to monitor the progress of Operation Neptune Spear.

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  President Obama defeated Republican Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election.

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  Republican Donald Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election.

See also