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WhenBarack Obamawas named the 44th president of the United States in 2008, people all over the world celebrated.

Here’s a look at Obama’s journey through the years.

Barack Obama smiling

What lessons we should learn from it.

All that kind of got buried."

And so what I benefited from is a multiplicity of cultures that all fed me."

young Barack Obama smiling

The work had a profound impact on him personally and professionally.

As Kellman shared, Obama was clearly thirsty for experience.

Kellman said, “He challenged me on whether we could teach him anything.

young Barack Obama posing

He wanted to know things like ‘How are you going to train me?’

and ‘What am I going to learn?'”

As theMiller Centershared, Obama was elected as the first Black president of the Harvard Law Review in 1990.

young Barack Obama with family

Obama celebrated the victory, but was later cautious while discussing what it really meant withThe New York Times.

Obama also played basketball at Harvard, and he was known for his skills on the court.

She was assigned to be his adviser, which meant the pair spent a lot of time together.

young Barack Obama walking

As he later toldABC News, Craig challenged Obama to a basketball game.

He explained, “you’ve got the option to really tell selfishness on the basketball court.

You know, he wasn’t selfish.”

Barack Obama in college

The pair got married in Chicago in October 1992.

The twosome danced to Stevie Wonder for their first dance and honeymooned in California.

He then added, “I mean, she’s so … part of me.

young Barack and Michelle Obama smiling

I look at our daughters.

I think everybody feels this at a certain point.

I can’t imagine having daughters that look any different from Malia and Sasha.

Barack and Michelle Obama smiling

And they are perfect.”

He explained, “Politicsain’t beanbag, as they say in Chicago.

You play with your elbows up, and you’re pretty tough and ruthless when you have to be.

Barack Obama thinking

Sen. Obama felt that’s what was necessary at the time, that’s what he did.”

As theMiller Centernotes, Obama won the election and began charting a more political course for his life.

In 1998, the two welcomed their first daughter,Malia Obama, who was born on July 4.

Obama family blowing out candles

BothBarack and Michelle Obamahave been vocal about relishing their roles as parents.

He decided to challenge the very popular and well-known U.S. Representative Bobby Rush.

In the end, Obama lost the race, which he could have seen as a big setback.

Barack Obama speaking

However, in 2004, Obama launched a Senate campaign in which he would claim a major victory.

There’s a United States of America.

There’s not a Black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America.

Barack Obama looking serious

There’s a United States of America" (per the Miller Center).

At the time, his subsequent presidential campaign was one of a kind.

This paved the way for Obama’s historic victory.

Barack Obama speaking at event

Eight days before he was elected president, his grandmother died.

The night he won, he sat next to his mother-in-law, an experience he recalled with wonder.

Obama and his family later made their way to Grant Park for his victory speech.

Barack Obama speaking

Barack Obama pointing