HeisagraduateofColumbiaCollegeofColumbiaUniversityandHarvardLawSchool,wherehewaspresidentoftheHarvardLawReview.ObamaworkedasacommunityorganizerandpracticedasacivilrightsattorneybeforeservingthreetermsintheIllinoisSenatefrom1997to2004.HetaughtconstitutionallawattheUniversityofChicagoLawSchoolfrom1992to2004.FollowinganunsuccessfulbidforaseatintheU.S.HouseofRepresentativesin2000,heannouncedhiscampaignfortheU.S.SenateinJanuary2003,wonaprimaryvictoryinMarch2004,andwaselectedtotheSenateinNovember2004.ObamadeliveredthekeynoteaddressattheDemocraticNationalConventioninJuly2004.
AsamemberoftheDemocraticminorityinthe109thCongress,hehelpedcreatelegislationtocontrolconventionalweaponsandtopromotegreaterpublicaccountabilityintheuseoffederalfunds.HealsomadeofficialtripstoEasternEurope,theMiddleEast,andAfrica.Duringthe110thCongress,hehelpedcreatelegislationregardinglobbyingandelectoralfraud,climatechange,nuclearterrorism,andcareforreturnedU.S.militarypersonnel.
OnFebruary10,2007,heannouncedhiscandidacyforPresidentoftheUnitedStates,andonJune3,2008,hewasnamedthepresumptivenomineeoftheDemocraticPartyaftera17-month-longprimarycampaign.HebecamethePresident-electafterdefeatingRepublicanpresidentialcandidateJohnMcCaininthegeneralelectiononNovember4,2008,andisduetobesworninasPresidentoftheUnitedStatesonJanuary20,2009
