Barack Obama burst onto the national political scene in 2003, made a famous and well received speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, became a United States Senator from Illinois, and launched a bid to become the President of the United States of America. Since first becoming known just a few short years ago, the nation has come to learn a great deal of information about this man with a very interesting background who aspires to be what some call the “leader of the free world.” But, here are five things you may not know about Barack Obama.
1. When Barack Obama ran for the office of United States Senator from the state of Illinois there were a total of fifteen candidates involved in the Democratic and Republican primaries that were also seeking the office.
2. Barack Obama’s first job following graduating from Columbia University was with Business International Corporation, a company who for many years, mostly during the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s, BIC was rumored (but never proven) to be a front for the CIA.
3. Both of Barack Obama’s parents are deceased, his father died in a car accident in 1982 and his mother died of ovarian cancer in 1995.
4. Though Barack Obama is officially the fifth African American Senator in United States history, interestingly he is only the third to reach that office through a popular election.
5. Barack Obama’s oldest daughter was born on the Fourth of July.
Barack Obama has captured the hearts and minds of a great many people in the United States as he has traveled across the country and around the world, first winning the Democratic Primary, and then campaigning for the Presidency. For many people, it is extremely difficult to understand the movement behind this man. Win or lose, Barack Obama’s candidacy for the President of the United States will go down as one of the more interesting and historically significant in the history of American politics.
