50 Things You Might Not Know About Obama
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

50 Things You Might Not Know About Obama

Some facts about possibly the coolest president America will ever have.

18
50 Things You Might Not Know About Obama
Rolling Stone

In light of the final debate this past week and all the political campaigns starting to come to a close, we're all probably a little fed up with all the political rampage clogging our newsfeed. Here is a list of facts about my personal favorite man who is sitting in the Oval Office for just a few more weeks.

  1. He is the 44th president of the United States.
  2. He used to smoke, but quit after he ran for office.
  3. He is the sixth post-war president to be left handed.
  4. His name Barack means “one who is blessed” in Swahili.
  5. He has won two Grammy awards, one in 2006 and 2008.
  6. He has a pair of red boxing gloves signed by the late Muhammad Ali.
  7. He used to work at a Baskin Robins.
  8. He dislikes ice cream.
  9. He used to live in Indonesia as a child.
  10. He can speak Spanish and Indonesian.
  11. He once owned a pet ape.
  12. He is 6’1” tall.
  13. His mother was from Kansas and his father from Kenya.
  14. His childhood nickname was “Barry.”
  15. Michelle and Barack married on October 3rd, 1992.
  16. He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii.
  17. He is the first president to be born outside of the continental United States.
  18. He graduated from High School in 1979.
  19. He graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Political Science in 1983.
  20. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1991.
  21. He loves Pablo Picasso.
  22. His mother was an anthropologist.
  23. He chose Frank O. Salisbury’s portrait of Harry S. Truman to hang in the Cabinet Room.
  24. He is believed to be the first president to brew his own ale on White House grounds, he also used honey from the White House.
  25. He enjoys playing Scrabble and poker.
  26. He was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 1996.
  27. He was elected to U.S. Senate in 2004.
  28. He is the first president to stand up for same-sex marriage while in office.
  29. In 2014, he launched My Brothers Keeper, an initiative to help boys and young men of color overcome the challenges they may face in life to ensure they can reach their full potential.
  30. He is also the first president to fight for equal pay in the workforce.
  31. He wasn’t raised in a religious household but now is a Christian.
  32. He tried drugs in his youth such as marijuana and cocaine.
  33. He is the first African-American to be President of the Harvard Law Review.
  34. His father was an Kenyan government official.
  35. His parents divorced when he was two.
  36. He read all the Harry Potter books with his eldest daughter, Malia.
  37. In 2007, he was a guest on Saturday Night Live.
  38. In October 2009, he was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize.
  39. He taught at University of Chicago Law school from 1992 – 2004.
  40. His home in Chicago has four fireplaces.
  41. One of his favorite books is "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville.
  42. He has been TIME Magazine’s Person of The Year twice.
  43. He collected 'Spiderman" and "Conan the Barbarian" comics.
  44. For his first date with Michelle, they went to see film, “Do The Right Thing.”
  45. He’s mentioned in Neil Young’s song, “Lookin’ For a Leader”.
  46. He was the first U.S. President to address the U.K Parliament.
  47. He can bench press 200lbs.
  48. Two of his favorite movies are “Casablanca” and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”
  49. His favorite children’s book is “Where the Wild Things Are.”
  50. There is a beer in Kenya called Senator Keg, which is nicknamed “Obama Beer” by locals.
  51. And, for a little bonus here is a video we can all appreciate. We're going to miss you, man.
Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

71286
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

133408
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments