Barack Obama defeats John McCain to become the first Black person elected president of the United States.
At a Glance
- Date
- 4 November 2008
- Location
- Chicago, Illinois
- Key people
- Barack Obama
- Category
- Politics & Government
- Source
- 2008 federal election results · Library of Congress
What It Meant Then
It marked a historic breakthrough in American political life.
What It Means Now
His election is a defining milestone in the nation's racial history.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Barack Obama Is Elected President.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/barack-obama-is-elected-president/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Barack Obama Is Elected President. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/barack-obama-is-elected-president/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Barack Obama Is Elected President.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/barack-obama-is-elected-president/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.