Barack Obama's early life and education laid the foundation for his future in politics and public service.
August 4, 1961
Birth
Barack Hussein Obama II was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Ann Dunham and Barack Obama Sr.
1966–1971
Early Education in Indonesia
Obama attended local schools in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he lived with his mother and stepfather, Lolo Soetoro.
1971–1979
Return to Hawaii and High School
Obama returned to Hawaii to live with his grandparents and attended Punahou School, graduating in 1979.
1979–1983
College Years
Obama attended Occidental College in Los Angeles before transferring to Columbia University in New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.
1988–1991
Law School
Obama attended Harvard Law School, where he became the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review.
