Birthday

Obama was born on Aug. 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Education

Obama graduated from Columbia University in 1983. He went to Harvard Law School and received his law degree in 1991.

Pre-Congressional career

After undergraduate school, Obama moved to Chicago to work as a community organizer with a church group. After graduating from law school, he worked in Chicago as a civil rights lawyer. He practiced law at Miner, Barnhill and Galland, a Chicago law firm, from 1993 to 2004. Obama is the author of two books, “Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance” and “The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream.”

Congressional career

Obama was first elected to the Illinois State Senate in 1997, and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004. Obama is a member of the Veteran’s Affairs Committee, which works to improve veterans’ disability pay. He helped create the Earned Income Tax Credit, which provided $100 million of tax cuts to families across Illinois. Obama lobbied for expansion of early childhood education. He worked with Illinois law enforcement to require a videotaped confession for all defendants facing death row.

Declared candidacy

Obama announced his candidacy Feb. 12, 2007.

Family life

Obama is married to Michelle Obama. They have two daughters, Malia and Sasha.

Religion

United Church of Christ