Before Barack Obama was elected as the first African American President of the United States in 2008, he was elected to the Illinois State Senate in 2004, became a father of two in 2001, a husband in 1992, and the first African American President of the Harvard Law Review in 1990. Here are a few rare photos that capture some of Barack, Michelle, Malia and Sasha Obama's incredible journey to the White House.
The Obama family before Sasha was born in 2001.
Malia with her new baby sister, Sasha (2001).
Sasha Obama holding a sign of her father, Barack, for the U.S. Senate (2004).
Barack with little Malia and Sasha.
Malia with her Dad at the polls in Chicago (November 2004).
The Obamas with Oprah (2004).
The Obama family in Barack's Chicago campaign office (2004).
The Obamas in their Chicago hotel suite on the evening before the U.S. Senate Democratic primary (March 2004).
Barack talking to Malia after he was sworn into the U.S. Senate on January 3, 2005.
Cheers to eight years of Black Excellence in the White House and all the amazing things that the Obama family will accomplish in the future.