★ AMERICA 250

American History Timeline

2008: First African American President Elected

Barack Obama is elected the 44th president of the United States.

November 4, 2008 · Chapter 9 · Pages 135-136

Official White House portrait of President Barack Obama
Visual direction: Obama White House archived official portrait

What Happened

The 2008 election was a milestone in the long arc of American democracy. It unfolded during economic crisis and symbolized both the country's historic change and the continuing arguments over its future.

Why It Matters

The event belongs in the America 250 story because it connects voting rights, representation, civic hope, and political change.

Worth Knowing

Obama was inaugurated on January 20, 2009.

Where It Fits in the America 250 Book

This story appears in Chapter 9, Pages 135-136, as part of the 160-page landscape collector edition. The book expands timeline moments like this with archival imagery, maps, concise narrative context, and feature spreads designed for browsing and display.

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2008 election timelineBarack Obama historyAmerican democracy timeline