In the 2008 US presidential election, Barack Obama created an unimaginable piece of history. While the idea of a Black man becoming the President of the United States was once beyond imagination, he turned that dream into reality on November 4 of that year. Just two days before the election, on November 2, his grandmother Madelyn Dunham-who had raised him with immense care-passed away. Amidst this deep personal loss, Obama experienced the most historic moment of his life, being elected as the 44th and first Black President of the United States.

The Long Journey from Hawaii to the White House

Obama was born on August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii. His mother was a white American citizen, and his father was from Kenya. His parents separated when he was just two years old. He was largely raised by his maternal grandparents and spent a few years of his childhood in Indonesia after his mother remarried. In 1990, he caught national attention by becoming the first Black president of the prestigious Harvard Law Review. Later, while working as an intern at a Chicago law firm, he met Michelle Robinson, and they tied the knot in 1992.

Overcoming Crises and Fulfilling Promises

Obama entered the grand political stage at a time when the United States was devastated by a severe financial crisis, and widespread frustration loomed over the Iraq War. In such a turbulent environment, he ignited new hope in the hearts of American citizens with powerful slogans like "Change we can believe in" and "Yes we can." In the 2008 election, Democratic candidate Obama secured 365 electoral votes, comfortably defeating Republican John McCain (173 votes). He was re-elected for a second term in 2012 by defeating Mitt Romney.

Presidential Successes and Controversies

Upon taking office in 2009, he announced a massive stimulus package to recover the economy, eventually bringing the unemployment rate down to below 5 percent during his tenure. One of his most significant domestic achievements was the major healthcare reform widely known as 'Obamacare'. For his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009. Under his direct orders, US forces conducted a raid in Pakistan in 2011 that killed Osama bin Laden. Furthermore, he publicly welcomed the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that guaranteed the constitutional right to same-sex marriage.

However, his administration also faced severe criticisms for several controversial actions. During his tenure, at least 542 drone strikes were authorized in foreign countries, particularly in Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 324 civilians. His administration was also heavily criticized following the 2013 NSA surveillance leaks by Edward Snowden and the military intervention in Libya.

Bangladesh-US Relations and the Suspension of GSP

A notable event regarding US-Bangladesh relations during the Obama administration was awarding Dr. Muhammad Yunus the 'Presidential Medal of Freedom', the highest civilian honor in the US, in 2009. However, on June 27, 2013, following the tragic Rana Plaza collapse and the Tazreen Fashions fire, the Obama administration suspended the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) facility for Bangladesh, citing inadequate progress in ensuring internationally recognized labor rights and factory safety.

Life After the Presidency

Since leaving the White House on January 20, 2017, Obama has kept himself busy writing books, producing films, and hosting podcasts. Along with his wife Michelle, he founded the production company 'Higher Ground'. Although the 65-year-old former president is no longer running for office, he remains a highly active and influential figure, frequently campaigning for Democratic candidates and delivering powerful speeches on the current political landscape.