As the first black president of the United States, Barack Obama is one of the most recognizable figures in American history.
Barack Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. He grew up to become a civil rights lawyer and law professor at the University of Chicago after attending Columbia University and Harvard Law School.
After becoming a representative for the Illinois Senate, he ran for the U.S. Senate with a sweeping victory in 2004. Just four years later, he became the 44th president of the United States. His success, however, did not end there as he also won the Nobel Peace Prize just nine months later.
We can safely say that Obama was destined for greatness in one way or another. For Obama’s 60th birthday, we are giving you ten of his best quotes!
FROM A PROMISED LAND
“I suspect that God’s plan, whatever it is, works on a scale too large to admit our mortal tribulations; that in a single lifetime, accidents and happenstance determine more than we care to admit; and that the best we can do is to try to align ourselves with what we feel is right and construct some meaning out of our confusion, and with grace and nerve play at each moment the hand that we’re dealt.”
“I experienced failure and learned to buck up so I could rally those who’d put their trust in me. I suffered rejections and insults often enough to stop fearing them. In other words, I grew up—and got my sense of humor back.”
“The truth is, I’ve never been a big believer in destiny. I worry that it encourages resignation in the down-and-out and complacency among the powerful.”
“This, I was coming to realize, was the nature of the presidency: Sometimes your most important work involved the stuff nobody noticed.”
LIVING FOR THE SHADE
“I’d met my share of highly credentialed, high-IQ morons.”
“Don’t boo. Vote.”
“The cynics may be the loudest voices– but I promise you they will accomplish the least.”
PRESIDENT WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR
”If I had to name my greatest strength, I guess it would be my humility. Greatest weakness, it’s possible that I’m a little too awesome.”
“I believe my next 100 days will be so successful I will be able to complete them in 72 days. And on the 73rd, I will rest.”
“After I received the news, Malia walked in and said, ‘Daddy, you won the Nobel Peace Prize, and it is Bo’s birthday.’ And then Sasha added, ‘Plus we have a three day weekend coming up.’ So it’s good to have kids to keep things in perspective.”
Cheers to that!