The Ultimate Barack Obama Video Timeline
To most Americans, Barack Obama seemed to appear out of nowhere, fully-formed, in 2008. This rarely-seen footage from 1991-2004 captures lesser-known moments in the future president’s life — as law student, community organizer, local politician, failed Congressional candidate, and Democratic nominee for Senate — and offers a glimpse into his political and personal roots.
2. 1991 - Barack Obama: President of the Harvard Law Review
In 1990 Barack Obama was elected the first black president of the Harvard Law Review. This video from 1991, shot for a TBS black history minute features the young Obama telling the audience about Charles Hamilton Houston.
4. 1993 - Community Organizer in Chicago
Following Obama’s graduation from Harvard Law he moved back to Chicago where he worked as community organizer and civil rights attorney. This clips comes from a 12 minute interview most of which has never been released.
5. 1995 - Author and Civil Rights Attorney
In 1995 Obama published his best selling novel, Dreams From My Father, a story reflecting on his life and race in the United States. This video, a 1995 interview on Connie Martinson Talks Books, features the young Obama detailing his book.
10. 1998 - State Democratic Senator and Professor
In 1996 Obama was elected to public offer for the first time as State Senator representing Chicago’s south side. This video from 1998 features the then State Senator on a Brookings Institute panel on wealth relating to cities.
12. 1999 - Candidate for Congress
Barack Obama, in this 1999 interview, talks about the campaign he is launching to challenge Congressman Bobby Rush for his seat in Congress.
13. 2000 - Democratic Congressional Candidate
In 2000 the politically ambitious Obama challenged incumbent Congressman Bobby Rush for his seat in the House of Representatives. The heavily contested primary, which Obama lost, was a minor set back to Obama’s young political career. This clip comes from their only primary debate.
14. 2000 - Democratic Congressional Candidate
In 2000 the politically ambitious Obama challenged incumbent Congressman Bobby Rush for his seat in the House of Representatives. The heavily contested primary, which Obama lost, was a minor set back to Obama’s young political career. This one of his radio ads.
15. 2000 - Democratic Congressional Candidate
In 2000 the politically ambitious Obama challenged incumbent Congressman Bobby Rush for his seat in the House of Representatives. The heavily contested primary, which Obama lost, was a minor set back to Obama’s young political career. This one of his radio ads.
16. 2000 - Democratic Congressional Candidate
In 2000 the politically ambitious Obama challenged incumbent Congressman Bobby Rush for his seat in the House of Representatives. The heavily contested primary, which Obama lost, was a minor set back to Obama’s young political career. This one of his radio ads.
17. 2000 - State Senator and Proffesor
In this 2000 video from an appearance on Chicago Tonight, Obama discusses Bush v. Gore.
18. 2001 - State Senator and Professor
In 2001 Chicago politics had a minor stir when Thomas W. Murphy, a white Alderman representing a majority black district, wanted membership in the city’s black caucus. This video, from a 2000 appearance on Chicago tonight, feature the college professor and State Senator Obama discussing the matter.
19. 2001 - State Senator and Professor
In this 2001 appearance on Chicago Tonight, Obama discusses John Ashcroft’s confirmation by the US Senate.
20. 2002 - Vocal Opponent of the Iraq War
In 2002 following the military build up prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq Obama was a vocal critic of the Iraq War. This video comes from a 2002 interview Obama gave on the war.
21. 2002 - State Senator and Professor
Between 2000 and 2004 Obama appeared routinely on a panel of PBS Chicago’s nighty news show Chicago Tonight. This video comes from a 2002 Obama appearance discussing the midterm election results.
22. 2003 - Democratic Primary Candidate for Senate
This 2003 video comes from a labor rally Obama spoke at with Congressman Danny Davis in Chicago.
23. 2003 - Democratic Primary Candidate for Senate
In 2003 Obama announced his intention to run for the US Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Senator Peter Fitzgerald. This clip comes from a early 2003 interview after Obama had just declared for the seat.
24. 2004 - Candidate for Senate
In 2004 Obama won the Democratic primary for the United States senate. In this video in which he delivers the Democrat’s weekly radio address, Obama attacks then President Bush for three years of a “dismal economy.”
25. 2004 - Candidate for Senate
In 2004 Obama solidified himself as a raising star of the Democratic party. In this video, a five minute television ad, Obama introduces himself to the Illinois electorate.
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