Best Barack Obama Moments
13 Major Barack Obama Moments That We'll Remember Forever
Barack Obama's time as POTUS is coming to an end, and we'll be honest: we're not handling it that well. Between his heartfelt farewell speech, sweet family photos, and yes, his dad jokes, there's just so much to miss about our nation's first black president. In an effort to turn our sad tears into happy tears, our POPSUGAR editors are sharing their favorite Obama moments from the past eight years — we hope you'll join us by sharing yours in the comments, too!
1 Yes, We Did
"The day after President Obama's inauguration, I knew I needed to score some memorabilia from the historic day. I headed to the grocery store to pick up the daily newspaper with Barack and Michelle on the front cover. I was just 16 years old at the time, but I understood the significance of his presidency — especially as a black man. I recently revisited that cover (which has admittedly worn over time), and it brought back the same feeling of pride and joy that I felt that day and every day since having Barack Obama as my president for the past eight years." — Terry Carter, editorial assistant, Trending and Viral Features
2 Passing the Torch
"I remember watching this moment after the 2008 election and hardly believing it! George W. Bush was president when I was in college, and although he seemed like a genuinely nice person, I couldn't stand his policies. It might sound corny, but Obama brought me hope again. This picture of him and Michelle arriving at the White House a few days after the victory made it all finally sink in. Change had come! Looking back at it reminds me of just how special it was that they won." — Annie Gabillet, contributing editor
3 Dropping the Mic
"Year after year, I looked forward to hearing what Obama would have to say at the White House Correspondents Dinner. Each time he showed off his wicked sense of humor (and his ability to take a joke), but never did that seem more clear than in his 2016 speech. As Obama put it, he couldn't help but be 'reflective, a little sentimental' that last time around, and with grace and wit he addressed everything from his legacy to his critics to the buzzy presidential race. He was as sharp and as funny and as moving as ever, capping it off with a GIF-worthy mic drop — 'Obama out' — like only he could." — Laura Meyers, editor, Trending and Viral Features
4 Moving the Needle
"I remember seeing this picture and thinking, 'Man, this guy is SO normal.' He's done so many things throughout his presidency that prove he was the most hilarious and charismatic president we've ever had, and it was so reassuring to me to know that he was capable of running the free world with an actual smile on his face (and probably a dad joke ready to go at any minute). I'm going to miss his humor so much." — Alessia Santoro, assistant editor, Moms
5 A New Hope
"My Obama moment was watching his victory speech in Grant Park after he won the 2008 election. I was sitting in my San Francisco apartment with my three roommates and feeling overcome with emotion: excitement about the years to come under his presidency, victorious that a president I voted for had won for the first time, and moved beyond words to be experiencing such a proud and historic moment." — Becky Kirsch, senior director of content strategy
"My favorite moment was when the world first realized he won the first election. Since I was born and raised in Chicago and was in the city at that moment, every bar, restaurant, store, and classroom had their TVs and radios on, and it felt like the entire city celebrated together — not only for the next president, but for one of our own who was making history." — Caitlin Hacker, editor, Celebrity
6 Proud Papa
"My favorite Obama moment was when he pointed to Malia during his farewell address and told her, "Of all that I have done in my life, I'm most proud to be your dad." It was such a beautiful moment and I couldn't help tearing up." — Monica Sisavat, assistant editor, Celebrity
7 Jam Session
8 Representation Matters
"One of the many Obama moments that I'll remember forever is when Barack welcomed Michelle and their daughters, Malia and Sasha, to the stage in Grant Park on election night in 2008. It was incredibly exciting to see those two little girls — two little girls who are now beautiful, strong, poised young women — join their father on such a remarkable night, especially because they so much reminded me of my own (African-American) family. Over the years, I've loved seeing Malia and Sasha grow up; their bond is reflected in the one I have with my little sister, and I look forward to seeing the many amazing things they do in their lives." — Britt Stephens, lead editor, Celebrity
9 Young at Heart
"We all know Obama has been the 'kids' president, but for me, this was it was a very human moment — (you can't help but 'awww' when you look at this picture. At the end of the day, Obama has what a lot of other presidents didn't: the power to connect. He's just a regular guy that shows regular emotions and reactions. His ability to laugh and cry with us is something I hold very dear, and I'm going to miss all the charismatic charm and quick wit Mr. Obama brought to the White House." — Zareen Siddiqui, audience development associate
10 First Family Values
"I love how he has always been forthright about how much he loves and prioritizes his daughters, and how he is working to make the world a better place for them. From the letter he wrote to Sasha and Malia on the eve of his inauguration to his constant support of them, never expressing public disappointment or shaming them (despite political pressure to do so) when they make normal, teenage choices like smoking pot or taking a gap year. I think he and Michelle set a really great example for parents in this day and age, and it's been a privilege to observe them during their time as our first family." — Brinton Parker, assistant editor, Trending and Viral Features
11 Just One of the Guys
"President Obama was so relatable — something I've never felt with any other president. Whether it was watching him eat pho and drink a cold beer from the bottle at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Vietnam, party with Jay Z and Beyoncé, or following his NCAA March Madness brackets each year, he's proven that despite having the most important job in the world, he's still like one of us!" — Melissa Pinpin, director of partnerships, Collective
12 Personal Thanks
"I had the honor of meeting first lady at a White House conference on the Let's Move campaign. I knew she would speak to the conference attendees, but when I was tapped on the shoulder and ushered into the Blue Room because she wanted to 'thank me for POPSUGAR's support of the campaign,' I was floored. The fact that a first lady recognized the power of new media, of social media, for reaching parents and kids was positively inspiring and a moment I will never forget." — Rebecca Gruber, senior editorial director
13 Keeping the Faith
"There are so many things about Barack Obama's time in office that instantly make me emotional — like when he let 5-year-old Jacob Philadelphia touch his hair in 2009, or his call for gun control after the devastation of the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012 — but the thing that stands out to me the most from his eight years in office is simply the sense of hope his administration afforded me. His presidency wasn't perfect, but I could go to sleep soundly each night because the rights of women, people of color, and the LGBTQ community were safe. I could rest easy knowing that he would fight for us, and that together our country could persevere. The future was brighter thanks to him, and despite what it might look like now, I'll never stop fighting to keep the hope he gave me alive. Thanks, Obama. Genuinely." — Quinn Keaney, assistant editor, Celebrity
