How Barack Obama Became the First African American President of the US: The Untold Story Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America. This is a remarkable accomplishment for any person — to become leader of the most powerful nation in the world. It's even more of an accomplishment for a young Black man to be elected to such a position of power. We saw this being accomplished through an excellent, tightly run campaign using the energy of both young and older Americans. We saw the adequate use of the latest technology. We saw grass roots fund raising and organizational management. We saw people of all races, religions, and nationalities working day and night to secure a victory, and a place in history for a candidate they believed in. But how did Barack Obama really become the first African American President of the United States of America? To answer this question we need to go backwards in time to 1830 and the beginning of a movement where attempts are being implemented to abolish slavery and achieve immediate emancipation. A movement fought from 1830–1870 known as the Abolitionist Movement was the first movement designed to help Barack Obama become the first African American President, although Barack Obama himself would not be born until generations later. Let's fast forward to 1863 where we see President Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation making it the law of the land. This put Barack Obama even closer to the presidency, although again, he would not be born until a generation later. Let's now take a left turn towards the White House where we see the signing of the 13th amendment to the US Constitution abolishing slavery in all the states and by the end of the Civil War we are now on the path to the Reconstruction era from 1865 to 1877. Let's fast forward to 1908 when Jack Johnson dominated boxing as the first black Heavyweight Champion of the World from 1908–1915 — another period of American success which brought Barack Obama closer to the presidency. We'll skip a few more great events in American history and fast forward to 1954 to a town with a population of 585,000 called Little Rock Arkansas and the Brown-vs-Board of Education. A decision handed down by the US Supreme Court which became the pivotal point for school desegregation across the nation. Among all other events awarding Barack Obama the opportunity, this was perhaps the most important as it began a generation of racial tolerance and acceptance in education, allowing both Black and White Americans to get to know each other on a more personal level. Now, let's skip a few more important moments like the desegregation of the US Armed forces and the successes of the black soldier in battle and in aviation such as the Tuskegee Airmen and let's go to 1963 to the Lincoln Memorial where Dr Martin Luther King Jr is giving his famous "I have a Dream" speech. Let's now follow Dr. King back to Selma Alabama and witness an intense meeting at a round table where the contents of the Voting Rights Act is being discussed and finalized. Now we'll follow Dr King back to Washington DC and witness this Act become a bill signed into law by President Johnson. These historical events in American history paved the road for Barack Obama, although by now he was just a kid living in Hawaii. Now, while we're in this period of American pride let's not forget what almost brought this progress to a virtual standstill. Events like the rise of the Klu Klux Klans in the south and subsequent assassinations of the Kennedy's, Dr Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, and Medger Evers, the election of unethical men to high government offices like Bull Connors and Governor Wallace. These dark periods of American History almost ended any chance Barack Obama may have had at becoming the first African American President of the United States of America, although he was merely a little boy at the time. Black and White Americans above the age of 50 can be proud of how far we've come in race relations by which all Americans can now benefit. We can be proud that we taught our kids well in the area of racial tolerance and that we believed in the teachings of Dr King and applied at least one of his messages which is "judge not by the color of the skin but by the content of the character." However, it is our kids who practiced this creed because people above the age of 50 who were born in America are still struggling with this concept. This is why middle aged Americans make comments like "I never thought it would happen in my life time." Well, thank God it's no longer our time because the motto of the young people is, "why not my time" — and their time it was, supported by the US Constitution and its 27 amendments. As we move forward in anticipation of a Barack Obama Administration let's not forget the struggles of Americans before us who paved the way for all Americans to benefit from such a historical election. Let's not forget the American wars fought both internally and externally for freedoms. Let's not forget the John McCain's who suffered so the Barack Obama's can live in a world of peace and run for the highest office in the land. Let's not forget the Civil Rights Movement, the Women's Suffragette Movement, the American Civil War, and other battles for social justice. We've come a long way but there are still some in America whose clocks and calendars have not been updated. This recent election proved that they are now the new minorities. The challenges of our past have given Americans the opportunity to once again call on what has made us a great nation. There is a lot at stake and the burden is on us in the eyes of the world to help make this administration a success by challenging it when it's wrong and supporting it when it's right. So, how did Barack Obama become the first African American President of the United States of America? The answer — Timing! The source — The US Constitution. The path — American History.