As 2016 slowly comes to a close, and the inauguration of our 45th president approaches (yikes!), I wanted to shine a light on my five favorite President Obama moments. He served as an inspiration to not only myself but to many other young adults. So sincerely, thanks Obama, for making the most out of your eight years in office. Thanks for your charismatic personality, your kind heart, and for doing the most you could with a majority republican house.
1. Becoming the first black president--2009
On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama swore into office for the fist time. From his heartfelt address to his brave five-block walk to the White House, it was an inauguration I will never forget. Seeing a black man become president is something I'm glad to say I've been alive for.
2. Osama Bin Laden Death--2011
During the October 7, 2008 debate he pledged that under his administration he would kill Bin Laden: "We will kill Bin Laden. We will crush Al-Qaeda. That has to be our biggest national security priority," and he did just that. In April 2011, President Obama ordered a covert operation to kill or capture Bin Laden. On May 2, 2011, the White House announced that U.S. Navy SEALs had successfully carried out the operation by killing him in his Abbottaband compound in Pakistan.
3. Legalization of same-sex marriage in all 50 states--2015 
As President Obama put it, this was "a true victory for America." On June 26, 2015 the Supreme Court ruled to legalize same-sex marriage. States that banned same sex marriage were no longer allowed to (14 states made up this group) and as a nation we began to take steps towards equality. 
4. State of the Union Address--2015
Obama's witty personality and his endless amount of clap backs will never be forgotten. His countless television appearances on shows such as SNL and the Ellen DeGeneres Show showcased his humor even as the leader of the free world. President Barack Obama has always dealt with haters like a boss. During his State of the Union Address he said that he had no more campaigns to run, which drew applause from the republicans in the audience. But the president was quick to reply with the ultimate political mic drop when he said: “I know, because I won both of them.”
5. President Obama and Trump's cordial 90 minute meeting in the Oval Office--2016
After years of Trump questioning President Obama's citizenship and Obama stating that Trump is not fit for office, President Obama proclaimed that he would do everything in his power to make President- elect Trump's transitions smooth. A 15 minute meeting turned into a 90 minute one (probably because Mr. Trump realized that he was not ready). Obama has input in the way these meetings are held, so is it a coincident that an openly racist man was placed in front of a MLK statue? I think not. ICONIC.
