The President of the United States of America has an important role due to his ability to operate successfully and smoothly. The president makes vital decisions that have enormous impacts for everyone involved, such as his citizens, foreign nationals, and his allies. Barack Obama made history in 2008 when he became the first African-American president. This essay will examine his past, his run for president, his achievements, future plans for America, and my opinion as a British citizen. Barack Hussein Obama II was born in 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is the son of Ann Dunham and Barack Obama Sr. His mother is a white American citizen from Kansas and his father is a black African foreign student studying in Hawaii. Barack Sr left Hawaii to continue his work in his hometown in Africa. For some years Barack Obama lived with his mother and stepfather in Indonesia; it was from here that he returned to Hawaii to live with his grandparents when his mother felt that Barack was not receiving the best education. Barack Obama left Hawaii to pursue his education, studying in both California and New York City. In 1989, Barack Obama began working at a Chicago law firm when he first met Michelle. Michelle, a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School who was Barack's boss. “First Lady Michelle LaVaugh married Barack Hussien Obama on October 3, 1992” (When did she become First Lady…) after dating for over four years. While living in Chicago, the Obamas expanded their family with the birth of their first daughter in 1998, and in 2001 Michelle gave birth to another daughter. Barack Obama left Hawaii for Los Angeles, where he studied for two years before moving to Columbia University in New York City. He graduated in 1983, and of course his major was politics... middle of paper... He helped capture one of the world's biggest terrorists, and proved that no matter how much time passes, America will defend always himself and his allies. He is strongly against the war, but keeping troops in Afghanistan shows that, despite the war in Iraq, he will not back down. Barack Obama had a huge impact on the world, especially America. Living in a world where African Americans are a minority, and using his passion to help others he has become one of the powerful men in the world. He adapted to the constant changes in society and sought to give all Americans a just and happy life. He stopped a war, captured a fugitive, and passed laws—they're just some of the things that made Barack Obama so successful that he served two terms as president. His honesty about his past and his family relationships have made Obama one of the most influential people in the world.