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Timeline of the Barack Obama presidency (2009)

The following is a timeline of Barack Obama's presidency from his inauguration as the 44th president of the United States on January 20, 2009, to December 31, 2009. For his time as president-elect, see the presidential transition of Barack Obama; for a detailed account of his first months in office, see first 100 days of the Obama presidency; for a complete itinerary of his travels, see list of presidential trips made by Barack Obama.

January

  • January 20 – Barack Obama's presidency begins with his inauguration at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.; the oath of office is administered by Chief Justice John Roberts. Obama's Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, issues an order suspending last-minute federal regulations pushed through by outgoing President George W. Bush, planning to review everything still pending. In one of his first official acts, President Obama issues a proclamation declaring January 20, 2009 a National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation. President Obama enacts a pay freeze for Senior White House Staff making more than $100,000 per year and announces stricter guidelines regarding lobbyists in an effort to raise the ethical standards of the White House.
  • January 21 – President Obama revokes Executive Order 13233, which had been initiated by the Bush administration to limit access to the records of former presidents. At 7:35 pm EST on January 21, President Obama retakes the Presidential Oath of Office, again administered by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, before four print journalists. President Obama issues instructions to all agencies and departments in his administration to "adopt a presumption in favor" of Freedom of Information Act requests, reversing earlier policy set by former Attorney General John Ashcroft. The President issues an executive order entitled "Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel", governing the limitations on hiring of employees by the executive branch to qualified individuals only, and placing very tight restrictions on lobbying in the White House.
  • January 22 – President Obama signs an executive order announcing the closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp within a year, and signs a prohibition on using torture and other illegal coercive techniques, such as waterboarding, during interrogations and detentions, requiring the Army field manual to be used as a guide.
  • January 23 – President Obama ends the funding ban for groups that provide abortion services or counseling abroad, also known as the "gag rule" or the Mexico City Policy. He orders the first two Predator airstrikes of his presidency. (See Airstrikes in Pakistan).

February

March

  • March 26 – President Obama holds an online town hall at the White House, a historic first in American Presidential conveyance.
  • March 27 – President Obama announces a new strategy for the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
  • March 27–30 – Vice President Biden travelled to Latin America, visiting Chile and Costa Rica. The President attended the Progressive Governance conference in Chile, along with the presidents of Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, and the prime ministers of the United Kingdom and Norway.
  • March 30 – President Obama announces new plans and restructuring ultimatums for Chrysler and General Motors. Obama signs the Omnibus Public Land Management Act into law.
  • March 31 – The president and first lady arrive in London for G20 meeting with World Leaders.

April

  • April 1 – President Obama meets British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, Chinese President Hu Jintao, and Queen Elizabeth II.
  • April 2 – The G-20 summit begins in London, England. The President announces Robert Groves to be his candidate for director of The Census Bureau
  • April 3 – President Obama meets French President Nicolas Sarkozy and holds a town hall meeting with French and German students.
  • April 3–4 – President Obama attends the two-day NATO summit in Strasbourg, France, and Kehl and Baden-Baden, Germany.
  • April 5 – President Obama meets with Czech President Václav Klaus and Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek. The President gives a thoughtful speech on nuclear proliferation disarmament to a public crowd in Prague. Earlier the North Korean government had launched a long-range multi-stage rocket.
  • April 6–7 – President Obama visits Istanbul and Ankara, Turkey, including a meeting at the Alliance of Civilizations forum.
  • April 16–17 – President Obama visits Mexico to meet with President Felipe Calderón. President Obama states the US is a "full partner" with Mexico in its fight against the Mexican drug cartels.
  • April 17–19 – President Obama attends the 5th Summit of the Americas in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
  • April 21 – President Obama meets with King Abdullah II of Jordan in a one-on-one meeting in the White House. President Obama also signs the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act into law. President Obama also speaks to CIA staff.
  • April 23 – President Obama speaks at a Holocaust remembrance ceremony at the capitol sponsored by the National Holocaust Museum.
  • April 27 – President Obama addresses the National Academy of Sciences and announces that more than 3 percent of the GDP will be devoted to research and development. He also announces a doubling of the budgets of NSF and NIST, and a goal of reducing carbon pollution by more than 80 percent by 2050.
  • April 28 – The United States Senate confirms Kathleen Sebelius, former governor of Kansas, as United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.
  • April 29 – President Obama meets the Media in a primetime news conference, to discuss the first 100 days of his presidency, and the plans already implemented that will continue into the rest of his term.

May

  • May 4 – President Obama marks Cinco de Mayo a day early in a small speech to Latino Americans. President Obama was joined by First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Second Lady Jill Biden, United States Ambassador to Mexico Arturo Sarukhan and his wife Veronica Valenca-Sarukhan.
  • May 17 – Amidst controversy over his visit, in regards to his stance on issues such as abortion and his recent executive order that lifts the ban on stem cell research, President Obama delivers the commencement address at the University of Notre Dame.
  • May 18 – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington.
  • May 19 – President Obama announces plans to create new automobile fuel efficiency standards requiring cars, as well as light trucks to have an average of at least 35.5 miles per gallon, by 2016, in an attempt to curve emissions and reduce the United States' contributions to global warming.
  • May 20 – The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 and the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act are signed into law by President Obama to help alleviate burdens caused by the Great Recession in the United States.
  • May 22 – President Obama gives the commencement address at United States Naval Academy. The President also signs the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act and the Credit CARD Act into law, to reform legislation and aim "... to establish fair and transparent practices relating to the extension of credit under an open end consumer credit plan, and for other purposes."
  • May 23 – Major General Charles Bolden is nominated by President Obama to be the next NASA administrator, marking the first African American to be nominated to the position. Lori Garver is nominated to be the deputy administrator.
  • May 25 – President Obama continues the long-standing tradition of the U.S. President sending a wreath to the Confederate Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day and garners praise from Sons of Confederate Veterans Commander Chuck McMichael.
  • May 26 – President Obama nominates federal judge Sonia Sotomayor to replace retiring Supreme Court justice David Souter. Confirmed in August, she becomes the just the third woman, and first Hispanic, to be appointed to the court.
  • May 30 – Plans for a CyberSpace Czar to help prevent web crimes such as identity theft and other breaches of computer security networks are announced by the President. The president and first lady later travel to New York City, where they dined at Blue Hill and attend the Broadway revival of Joe Turner's Come and Gone.
  • May 31 – President Obama denounces and condemns the killing of medical director and abortion provider George Tiller, saying he was "shocked and outraged" by the assassination and death of Tiller.

June

  • June 1 – President Obama speaks to the American public about the General Motors bankruptcy crisis in a press conference at the White House.
  • June 2 – The President nominates Congressman John M. McHugh for the position of United States Secretary of the Army. Former First Lady Nancy Reagan visits the White House, and President Obama holds a press conference to announce legislation honoring the achievements of former President Ronald Reagan.
  • June 3 – President Obama visits with King Abdullah in Saudi Arabia on his way to Cairo, Egypt to make a speech introducing himself to the Muslim world.
  • June 4 – President Obama gives a speech in Cairo, Egypt, as a part of a worldwide attempt to repair the image of America around the world, a promise he made during his campaign for President of the United States. During the speech, President Obama notably references the Bible, the Torah, the Qur'an, and other Muslim texts in his address to the more than one thousand Cairo University students in attendance. The President also announced that the U.S. Government would host a Summit on Entrepreneurship to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations, and entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world.
  • June 5 – President Obama visits Buchenwald, a former Nazi concentration camp used during World War II, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and survivor and activist Elie Wiesel, during his trip through Germany. President Obama then arrives in Paris, visits the Eiffel Tower with his family, and meets French President Sarkozy.
  • June 6 – President Obama commemorates the 65th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France, along with Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada and Prime Minister Gordon Brown of the United Kingdom, Prince Charles and President Nicolas Sarkozy of France.
  • June 11 – President Obama holds a town hall meeting in Green Bay, Wisconsin to discuss the issue of healthcare.
  • June 12- Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe visits President Obama at the White House, inside the Oval Office.
  • June 15 – Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi visits President Obama at the White House. President Obama addresses the annual meeting of the American Medical Association in Chicago to discuss the rising cost of health care.
  • June 17 – President Obama announces sweeping proposals to rework financial regulation and move the country toward financial stability. President Obama also signs a memorandum extending certain benefits to federal employees involved in same sex partnerships.
  • June 19 – Along with other prominent fathers, Obama holds a town hall meeting at the White House to commemorate Father's Day, and bring awareness to the relationship of American fathers and children. President Obama notably identified his father as one of the greatest influences in his own life, in the short time that they were together.
  • June 22 – President Obama signs legislation granting authority over tobacco products to the United States Food and Drug Administration in the Rose Garden of the White House. President Obama also announced an $80 billion, 10 year offer by drug manufacturers to close the gap between Medicare prescription drug coverage and comprehensive health care reform.
  • June 23 – President Obama holds a press conference to discuss the issues of healthcare, as well as the recent Iranian election protests in Iran.
  • June 26 – The President signs the "Cash-for-Clunkers bill" into law to increase national fuel efficiency, as well as stimulate the automobile industry, after both Chrysler and General Motors had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
  • June 27 – The removal of American combat troops from major Iraqi cities begins.
  • June 28 – President Obama meets with President Álvaro Uribe of Colombia in the Oval Office. The President and First Lady also host a reception in the East Room for LGBT Pride Month.
  • June 30 – The President delivers remarks at an event in the East Room to highlight programs that have been able to make a difference in communities across the country.

July

  • July 1 – President Obama holds an online townhall meeting to discuss health care reform. President Obama is joined by Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett.
  • July 2 – The President meets in the Roosevelt Room with leaders of companies that are creating jobs. The President also delivers remarks about innovation and jobs in the White House Rose Garden.
  • July 4 – The White House celebrates Independence Day and honors military heroes and their families with a barbecue on the South Lawn. The celebrations conclude with fireworks on the White House grounds and at the Washington Memorial.
  • July 6 – The President and First Lady arrive in Moscow to meet with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, to discuss diplomatic progress in regards to nuclear weapons, as well as the situation in Afghanistan. President Obama also speaks at the graduation ceremony of the New Economic School in Moscow.
  • July 7 – President Obama meets with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, in a continuous attempt to restructure the U.S.–Russian relationship. President Obama also meets with former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev in Gostinny Dvor, Russia.
  • July 8 – President Obama meets with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano at the Quirinal Palace in Rome. The President then attends the first day of the G8 Summit in L'Aquila, Italy, and tours the quake zone that was struck in April, 2009.
  • July 9 – President Obama attends the second day of the G-8 Summit, and holds a bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Lula da Silva. The President also attends a working dinner hosted by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano later that day.
  • July 10 – On the final day of the G-8 Summit, President Obama meets with South African President Jacob Zuma, President Obama also visits Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican City. The President then heads to Ghana in Africa, his first visit to any sub-saharan African nation since he was elected president.
  • July 11 – President Obama gives a speech about Africa's hardships in regards to disease, as well as prospects for Africa's future, to the Ghanaian Parliament in Accra, Ghana. The President also speaks at a "departure ceremony" at Accra International Airport in Accra, along with the Ghanaian President John Atta Mills.
  • July 13 – The President nominates Dr. Regina Benjamin for the position of United States Surgeon General, noting her experience as a medical doctor in Alabama, and her multiple rebuildings of her office after natural disasters, in selecting her for the office.
  • July 14 – President Obama meets with Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende in the Oval Office. President Obama then speaks at Macomb Community College, and proposes a $12 billion effort to help two-year institutions to "train more people [...] for the jobs of the future." President Obama also throws the first pitch at baseball's annual All-Star Game at Busch Stadium.
  • July 15 – A milestone is achieved when a Senate committee approves a plan to revamp the U.S. health care system. The Senate confirmed President Obama's nominations of retired astronaut Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden as administrator of NASA and Lori Garver as the assistant administrator.
  • July 16 – President Obama gives a speech in New York City at the NAACP's 100th anniversary celebration. The president also speaks at a Holmdel Township, New Jersey political rally in support of Governor Jon Corzine's re-election campaign.
  • July 17 – President Obama gives a speech on healthcare reform, to help to pass a national healthcare bill in the Congress, and address concerns over a government run healthcare program.
  • July 20 – The President meets with the Apollo 11 crew, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin, in the Oval Office on the 40th Anniversary of the lunar landing.
  • July 21 – The President and First Lady host an event celebrating country music, with performers Charley Pride, Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss and Union Station.
  • July 22 – The President holds a primetime news conference to address concerns over the healthcare bill in Congress. President Obama also comments on the arrest of Henry Louis Gates, and the actions of the police in arresting Gates. President Obama also meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in the Oval Office, and hold a joint news conference in the White House Rose Garden.
  • July 23 – President Obama travels to Cleveland, Ohio to tour the Cleveland Clinic, as well as deliver further remarks about healthcare reform.
  • July 27 – President Obama and Chinese leaders Wang Qishan, Chinese Vice Premier, and Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo, attend the U.S.–China Strategic and Economic Dialogue held in Washington, D.C.
  • July 29 – President Obama holds a townhall meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina.
  • July 30 – President Obama and Vice President Biden hold a "beer summit" at the White House with Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates and the arresting officer Sgt. James Crowley of the Cambridge Police Department, in order to address the issue of race in America and discuss the arrest of Gates in his Massachusetts home on July 16, 2009. Obama also discusses remarks he had made during his news conference on July 22, in which he stated that the police department had "acted stupidly" in arresting Gates.
  • July 30 – President Obama meets with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Philippines in the Oval Office. The 2 leaders talk about the strong relationship between the Philippines and United States. They also discuss terrorism in the Southern Philippines and environmental issues. President Arroyo is the first Asian Leader to attend discussions at the White House during Obama's Presidency.

August

September

October

  • October 2 – President and First Lady, along with Oprah Winfrey, travel to Copenhagen, Denmark, to give a speech to the International Olympic Committee in a failed attempt to bring the 2016 Summer Olympics to Chicago.
  • October 3 – The President and First Lady celebrate their 17th wedding anniversary at the Blue Duck Tavern in Washington, D.C. before heading back to the White House.
  • October 5 – President Obama gives a speech to doctors about health care reform on the Rose Garden of the White House. Obama also participates in a CEQ Executive Order signing in the Oval Office.
  • October 6 – President Obama meets with the National Counter Terrorism Center leadership and analysts during a visit to the NCTC in McLean, Virginia.
  • October 7 – The President presents 2008 Medals of Science and Medals of Technology and Innovation during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House. President Obama also hosts an Astronomy Night on the South Lawn, with Sally Ride.
  • October 9 – The 2009 Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to President Obama "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples".
  • October 26 – President Obama gives a speech to servicemen and women at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, in Jacksonville, Florida.
  • October 27 – President Obama speaks and tours the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center in Arcadia, Florida.
  • October 28 – President Obama signs the Matthew Shepard Act in the East Room of the White House, expanding hate-crime law to include gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
  • October 29 – President Obama travels to Dover Air Force Base to oversee the return of eighteen American soldiers killed in Afghanistan.
  • October 30 – President Obama signs an executive order, lifting a 22-year-old immigration and travel ban on citizens of the United States with HIV.
  • October 31 – The First Family hosts a Halloween party at the White House, and welcome more than two thousand children.

November

  • November 13 – President Obama arrives in Tokyo to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, and holds a bilateral meeting.
  • November 14 – President Obama delivers a major address regarding Asia's relationship with the United States, at Suntory Hall in Minato, Tokyo, Japan.
  • November 15 – President Obama attends the APEC economic summit in the Republic of Singapore, along with United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk. President Obama also meets with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
  • November 16 – President Obama meets mayor Han Zheng in Shanghai, and holds a town hall to meet with students at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. President Obama also attends a state dinner with President Hu Jintao in Beijing.
  • November 17 – President Obama holds a series of meetings with President Hu Jintao, to discuss issues regarding U.S.-China relations. President Obama also tours the Forbidden City in Beijing.
  • November 18 – President Obama meets with Premier Wen Jiabao and visits the Great Wall of China before leaving for Seoul, South Korea.
  • November 19 – President Obama meets and holds an arrival ceremony with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak in Seoul, South Korea.
  • November 23 – President Obama presents the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award to Magadonga Mahlangu, Jenni Williams, and their organization known as WOZA, in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House.
  • November 24 – The first state dinner of the Obama presidency honoring Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is held in a reception on the White House grounds.
  • November 25 – President Obama officially pardons two turkeys in recognition of Thanksgiving in the United States.
  • November 30 – President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton meet Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

December

References

External links

See also