Guide Note

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama was born in Hawaii and lived in Indonesia for several years during his childhood. As a multi-racial citizen who has lived in diverse situations, some claim that Obama is likely to be more sensitive to international concerns and those of ethnic Americans than previous leaders.¹

Fast Facts

1. Full name: Barack Hussein Obama, Jr.
2. Born: August 4, 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii
3. Has two half-sisters and five half-brothers
4. Stepfather: Lolo Soetoro
5. Published an autobiography Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance in 1995

Obama's father, Barack Hussein Obama Senior was a goat herder in Kenya before moving to the United States to study at the University of Hawaii, where he met his future wife, Ann Dunham. The couple had one child, Barack Obama Junior, and separated after two years together.

1961: Born

1967-1979: Lived with his mother and stepfather in Jakarta, Indonesia

1983: Graduated from Columbia University

1985: Moved to Chicago and became a community organizer

1991: Received Law Degree from Harvard University

1992: Married Michelle Robinson

1997-2004: Member of the Illinois state Senate

1998: First daughter, Malia Ann, born

2001: Second daughter, Natasha ("Sasha") born

2004: Elected to the U.S. Senate

2007: Announced candidacy for the 2008 Presidential election

2008: Won the Democratic Presidential nomination