Presidential Inauguration Obama

Obama’s first inauguration on January 20, 2009, was historic as he became the first Black U.S. president. He is the 44th President of United States.

Key Highlights

• Swearing-in: Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath (but a word mix-up led to a redo the next day).
• Speech Focus: Hope, unity, and economic recovery amid the Great Recession.
• Massive Crowd: Estimated 1.8 million people, the largest inaugural crowd at the time.
• Star-Studded Lineup: Beyoncé, Aretha Franklin, and Yo-Yo Ma performed.

Obama’s 2013 Inauguration (Second Term)

• More subdued but still drew about 1 million people.
• Emphasized civil rights, climate change, and middle-class growth.

Barack Obama’s Presidency (2009–2017)

His tenure was shaped by economic recovery, healthcare reform, and global diplomacy.

Key Achievements

✅ Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare"): Expanded healthcare access to millions. ✅ Economic Recovery: Led U.S. out of the Great Recession, cutting unemployment. ✅ **Killing Osama bin Laden: Ordered the 2011 raid that killed the al-Qaeda leader. ✅ LGBTQ+ Rights: Legalized same-sex marriage via the Supreme Court in 2015. ✅ Climate Agreements: Signed the Paris Climate Accord to fight global warming.

Major Controversies

❌ Partisan Gridlock: Faced strong GOP opposition, leading to government shutdowns. ❌ Obamacare Backlash: Some policies were unpopular, like the individual mandate. ❌ Foreign Policy Issues: Criticized for the Syria "Red Line" and Libya intervention. ❌ Racial Tensions: Events like the Ferguson protests tested his leadership on race issues. ❌ Drone Strikes & Surveillance: Expanded drone warfare and NSA spying programs.

Overall, Obama remained popular and left office with a high approval rating.