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Obama wins election
Barack Obama is elected president by defeating Senator John McCain with nearly 53 percent of the popular vote and 365 electoral votes (out of 538). -
Inauguration
Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States. He was the first African American President in U.S. history.After serving as a state legislator for eight years, Obama ran for the U.S. Senate and won the election in 2004 by the largest margin in the history of Senate elections in Illinois. -
Signing of first bill
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act become law. The bill makes it easier for people to challenge unequal pay complaints and is designed to help address the wage gap between men and women. -
Speech in Cairo
The president gives a speech at Cairo University in Egypt, discussing the U.S. relations with countries in the Middle East. -
Budget funding for NASA
Obama proposes adding $6 billion to NASA’s budget over the next five years. The funding would be used for space exploration rather than lunar exploration. -
Veteran education reform
Obama puts into practice the post-911 GI Bill. This bill assists in obtaining a free or cheaper college tuition for those who have served in the U.S. military. -
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Two-year pay freeze proposal
In attempt to get the deficit under control, the president freezes pay raises on federal employees for two years -
Gay marriage
President Obama announces his support of same-sex marriage. -
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Reelected
Obama defeats Republican Mitt Romney to win a second term in office with 332 electoral votes to 206 and 51 percent of the popular vote -
Minimum wage
Obama signs an executive order to increase the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 for all workers on federal contracts. -
Immigration reform
Obama makes speech to the nation on comprehensive immigration reform. He announces he will use his executive power to allow illegal immigrants currently living within the United States to legally stay and obtain work. -
Cuba trip
Obama becomes the first sitting U.S. president to visit Cuba since 1928.
