The United States made history on the 20th of January, 2009, by electing its first black president. “Yes We Can!” echoed through the country in hope that the new president could turn the economy around from the 2008 recession. Within 6 months, the GDP growth turned positive. By January of 2010, businesses began hiring, which in turn improved the economy even further.

In March of 2010, Obama received the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples”, citing the 44th president’s effort for global nuclear nonproliferation. In the same month, Congress passed the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), that improved the quality of healthcare and expanded its accessibility. In 6 years, about 20 million people gained health insurance as a result of the ACA.

Under the Obama administration, the Navy SEALs successfully killed Osama bin Laden in a covert mission in Pakistan. About 10 years after the devastating attack on 9/11, Obama was successful in defeating the then-leader of Al-Qaeda Gradually, the United States found itself loosening its grasp in the Middle East.

In 2011, the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy was repealed by Obama, which allowed LGBT people to serve openly in the U.S Armed Forces. On June 26th, 2015, the LGBT community gained another victory under Obama as the supreme court ruled that state-level ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional.

Although Obama may not have had the approval of everyone in the country, the people’s faith and perseverance through the Great Recession proved that America is capable of overcoming anything. “Yes We Can!” is not just a slogan of 8 years, but rather a message of hope and the determination when faced with an obstacle.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice for the American people, President Obama.