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Barack Obama elected
Obama defeats Republican Senator John McCain, 365 electoral votes to 173 -
Obama's Inauguration
Over 1.8 million people attend the Inaugeration of President Obama, setting a record for any event in Washington D.C. -
Guantanamo Bay closure
In one of his first acts after taking office, Obama signs an executive order announcing the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp within a year. Almost four years later, the camp remains open. -
Economic Stimulus Plan
Obama signs the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law, a plan to save and create jobs after the worst recession since the Great Depression. -
Auto Industry Bailout
Obama announces unprecedented government control over General Motors and Chrysler, a highly controversial measure to stabilize the auto industry. -
Healthcare Reform Push
In a speech to a joint session of Congress, Obama outlines his proposal for a complete Healthcare reform. "Obamacare," as it came to be known, would shape the remainder of Obama's presidency and divide the American public and leaders -
Nobel Peace Prize
Obama receives the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples" -
Approval drops below 50
For the first time, Obama's approval ranking drops below 50%, according to a Gallup poll. -
War in Afghanistan
Obama orders an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, while at the same time laying out a final strategy for ending the war. -
Senate passes Obamacare
The Senate passes Obama's health care legislation, a triumph for Obama that clears the way for compromise talks with the House. -
Scott Brown elected
On the 1-year anniversary of Obama's presidency, Republican Scott Brown wins the special election for Ted Kennedy's Senate seat. The loss of the traditionally Democratic Massachusetts seat is seen as a sign that Obama's honeymoon period is over. -
Obamacare signed into law
Obama signs the Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act into law, the first major health care reform law passed in US history. -
Deepwater Horizon spill
After the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Obama orders the federal government to hold off issuing new offshore drilling leases until a thorough review determines whether more safety systems are needed. -
Midterm Election
In one of the largest seat changes in US history, Republicans gain 63 House seats and six Senate seats, retaking the House of Representatives. Most commentators say that the massive defeat is a result of public opposition to Obamacare and a still struggling economy. The next night Obama holds a press conference admitting that he and the Democratic Party took a "shellacking." -
Bush Tax Cuts extended
Obama announces a compromise agreement with Congressional Republicans to extend the Bush tax cuts, angering Congressional Democrats. -
Don't Ask, Don't Tell repealed
Obama signs the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act, starting the legal process of overturning the policy banning gays from serving openly in the military. -
Tuscon Shooting
US Representative Gabrielle Giffords and 16 other people are shot during an open meeting in Tuscon, Arizona. After the shooting, attention focused on the harsh political rhetoric in the US, in particular by criticism of the Tea Party of Obama and other Democrats. Four days later, Obama leads a nationally televised memorial service. -
Osama bin Laden killed
Obama announces the death of Osama bin Laden, the architect of the 9/11 attacks. For a short time, both sides of the political spectrum are unified in triumph. -
Debt Ceiling Crisis
After a summer of intense negotiations with Republican leaders, Obama signs the Budget Control Act to raise the federal debt ceiling. -
Iraq War deadline
Obama announces that by the end of the year nearly all US troops will be withdrawn from Iraq and the decade-long war will be over. -
"You Didn't Build That"
During a campaign speech in Virginia, Obama utters the famous line "You didn't build that" referring to public aid in successful businesses. The line is taken out of context by Republicans and becomes a key issue of Mitt Romney's campaign. -
Netanyahu Snub
Obama draws negative headlines when he declines to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to the United States. Republicans point to the growing divide between American and Israeli leaders. -
Obama Reelected
Despite expectations of a close election, Obama defeats Republican challenger Mitt Romney in an electoral college landslide, 332-206, earning a second term as president.
