By Lydia Fiser
Collage by Cody Bond. (click to enlarge)
2004 — Obama gives his speech at the DNC, which solidifies his spot in the Democratic Party as an up-and-coming leader.
June 19, 2008 — Obama refuses to accept public funding during the presidential campaign, which allows him to raise record sums.
Jan. 20, 2009 — Obama is sworn in as the 44th president of the United States and the first black president in the history of the country.
Jan. 22, 2009 — Obama orders the closing of Guantánamo Bay prison, which remains open to this day.
Jan. 24, 2009 — Obama lobbies for $825 billion stimulus
Feb. 17, 2009 — Obama approves the sending of 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan and signs the $787 billion stimulus legislation.
Feb. 24, 2009 — Obama speaks to Congress about the need for health care reform.
Feb. 27, 2009 — Obama presents a withdrawal plan for Iraq to have all combat troops out by Aug. 31, 2010 and the rest out by 2011.
March 9, 2009 — Obama overturns the Bush administration’s ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research
April 13, 2009 — Obama lifts restrictions on families with relatives in Cuba and allows them unlimited visits. He maintains restrictions on other Americans from going to Cuba.
May 1, 2009 — Obama condemns the murder of George Tiller, a known abortionist, who was shot and killed in his church in Kansas.
May 13, 2009 — Obama blocked the release of photos showing torture in Iraq and Afghanistan.
May 20, 2009 — The Senate denies funding for closing Guantánamo Bay prison.
June 3, 2009 — Obama releases a letter saying he believes strongly in the need for a new public option in the health care reform plan
June 8, 2009 — Obama’s administration backs the Justice Department’s decision to not overturn Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
June 11, 2009 — Obama’s Justice Department defends the Defense of Marriage Act.
June 15, 2009 — The removal of U.S. troops from Iraq begins.
August 16, 2009 — Obama administration admits its ready to abandon the public option in the health care reform plan.
October 9, 2009 — Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize.
October 11, 2009 — Equality Across America sponsors the March on Washington to demand the Obama administration grant full federal equality for LGBTQ citizens.
October 28, 2009 — Obama signs the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
Dec. 1, 2009 — Obama orders an additional 30,000 troops to be sent to Afghanistan.
December 24, 2009 — Obama’s health care bill is passed in Congress.
February 1, 2010 — Obama announces the 2011 federal budget, which begins Oct. 1, 2010. The budget calls for $670.6 billion in non-defense spending and $744 billion in defense spending. This includes an increase in spending for education, nuclear energy development and food programs for low-income citizens.
