A look back at the 2008 election
Relive the 2008 election through the eyes and words of those who lived it below.
February 10, 2007
Senator Obama announces his candidacy for President of the United States in Springfield, IL.
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2008 actually began in 2007! It began on Feb. 10, 2007 in Springfield when Obama declared his candidacy on a chilly day in front of a mass of people. —Leo K., Illinois
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President Obama greets the Iowa field staff after the Drake Debates in Des Moines in summer 2007. The staff had been up for 24 hours straight. —Chelsea K., New York
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Regina M., co-founder of Obama San Diego, works at a phone bank.
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This photo was taken during the final two weeks of the Iowa Caucus campaign in 2007/2008. Obama met with Iowa City West High School students at the Coralville Marriott. —Jenna B., Iowa
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“In this election—in this moment—let us reach for what we know is possible. A nation healed. A world repaired. An America that believes again.”
–Then-Senator Obama at the Jefferson Jackson Dinner, November 10, 2007
President Obama reflects on 2008 Iowa caucuses
January 4, 2008
“After graduating from Oelwein High school in rural Iowa, I volunteered for the first time for the Barack Obama campaign. It was a beginning for both of us.
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January 9, 2008
Stunner in NH: Clinton defeats Obama
Rob H., who at the time was our Field Director and leader of the NH primary field campaign, had many rules. One of the biggest was that signs do not win elections. Having a conversation by knocking on doors and making phone calls wins. The problem is, everyone loves to talk about and make signs. He made one exception to that rule, which was during the NH primary debate in Hanover on September 26, 2007. We might have overdone it. —David G., New York
“For when we have faced down impossible odds, when we've been told we're not ready or that we shouldn't try or that we can't, generations of Americans have responded with a simple creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.”
–Then-Senator Obama in New Hampshire, January 8, 2008
January 26, 2008
Obama Wins South Carolina Primary
...we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together – unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction...
Then-Senator Obama's Speech on Race, March 18, 2008
I bought this pin from a street vendor in Chicago during the summer of 2008. I also love basketball, so I thought it was fun to have a candidate who played the game. It gave me something to relate to about him. It made him "like us." —Karen J., Illinois
May 7, 2008
Obama Clinches N. Carolina, Clinton Wins Indiana
June 4, 2008
Obama Clinches Nomination; First Black Candidate to Lead a Major Party Ticket
This was candidate Obama's Labor day rally in Detroit. The people in this photo were marching down Woodward Ave, heading to his speech to be given at Hart Plaza. —Darrett P., Michigan
This photo was taken on the second or third night of the convention, at one of the news booths with people discussing the speeches each night. I am sitting on Remi’s shoulders to try to get into view of the cameras, to display one of the homemade Obama shirts we were selling on the streets of Denver throughout the convention. Remi’s family T-shirt company designed the shirt, and we spent 20 hours a day that week wandering the streets distributing the shirts to as many people as possible. We met people from all walks of life during those four days, and the conversations we struck up with strangers was my favorite part of the event.
August 23, 2008
Obama Chooses Biden as Running Mate
August 28, 2008
“Barack Obama's speech tonight was marvelous, hitting all the right notes...A number of people said they expected to be emotionally moved to tears, but instead, found themselves fired up for action.”
–Michael M., Illinois
Michael M. serves as a first time delegate at the 2008 Democratic convention in Denver.
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I made 20 dozen sugar cookies and decorated them with the Obama logo.
—Karen J., Iowa
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Then-Senator Obama smiles for a photo with a supporter.
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“That's the promise of America — the idea that we are responsible for ourselves, but that we also rise or fall as one nation; the fundamental belief that I am my brother's keeper; I am my sister's keeper.”
–Then-Senator Obama in Denver on August 28, 2008
September 12, 2008
McCain, Obama find common ground on national service
Hear the story behind the iconic photo of President Obama holding hands with his mother-in-law, Mrs. Robinson, and what that moment meant to her and the course of history.
President Obama reflects on Election Night 2008
November 4, 2008
But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to. It belongs to you. It belongs to you. — President-Elect Obama in Chicago's Grant Park, November 4, 2008
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Wisconsinites show their excitement after President-Elect Obama's victory.
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The front page of Le Monde announcing President-Elect Obama's victory.
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We waited in line all day to secure the best possible location to watch the 2008 Election Night Rally in Grant Park. After the gates opened, we ran as quickly as possible so that we could stand in the front row. The excitement and energy that I felt that day was unlike anything else I have experienced. It felt as though we were part of a great moment in history.
—Sonia B., Illinois
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Supporters listen to President-elect Obama's remarks in Chicago's Grant Park.
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This is a photo of my then 8 year old son, Daniel, during President Obama’s election night speech. I remember sitting on the sofa and watching my son get closer and closer to the television set. I saw him enthralled and in awe. I saw his face change expression while listening to the President speak. It brought me to tears and I knew that I had to capture this moment because one day he would appreciate having it. At the end of the speech he turned to me, and very seriously said, “I look like him. And I think I’m proud of him.” Then he walked out of the room. It was a moment that I’ll never forget.
—Jacquelyn N., California
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Evelyn C. shares her memories from election night.
"I was living in Ireland at the time. It was quiet—3 AM, when the polling numbers rolled in. I was beside myself. Literally twitching with excitement. It was a moment I will never forget in my lifetime. We had elected an African-American President. I was extremely proud in that moment to be an American."
Susan M., Washington, DC
Dillon M. shares their memories from election night.
"On the night of the election in 2008, I was returning home from work on a packed bus. Usually, a Seattle bus ride is quiet, but people were stirring that night; there was a lot of excited chatter. The bus driver announced "I got to pull over. I need a minute." He was crying happy tears, and so was I."
Carla H., Washington
Cortney C. shares her memories from election night.
"We were so exhausted, a bit frozen, but SO happy and honored to have been there to watch President Obama take the oath of office and give his inaugural speech."
Ashlie L., Fairfield, CA
This is a drawing that was created by my next door neighbor Rebecca Crouch. It is Obama's face drawn over newspapers that are highlighting his election. It sums up the election so well. —Margo S., Illinois
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My 16 year old daughter Kayla and her best friend Kayla celebrating that night in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. I was driving from the phone bank where our San Diego based team had just completed 12 hours of calling into swing states. As I was pulling up to the election night celebration where my volunteers were waiting Ohio was called for Obama on the radio and I let out a scream. As people on the busy downtown street looked I see what was wrong I rolled down my windows and yelled “Obama won, Obama won!” A spontaneous round of applause started. —Regina M., California
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“I was watching TV in Nairobi and praying for Barack to win. It was the greatest moment for me, because change had come to the world, and it marked a new beginning for those of us who believed in the change he represented.”
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Five years ago this week, the Paris Climate Agreement took effect, as nearly 200 nations committed to reduce their carbon emissions for the first time.
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The Arts
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