President Obama listens with pride as the national anthem plays during the dedication of the Abraham Lincoln Hall at the National Defense University March 12, in Washington, DC.
President Obama smiles bright at the unveiling of a portrait of one of his inspirations, President Abraham Lincoln during the dedication of Lincoln Hall at the National Defense University on Fort McNair.
First Lady Michelle Obama greets U.S. Secretary of State and former First Lady Hillary Clinton at an awards ceremony to announce this year’s recipients of the Secretary of State’s Award for International Women of Courage at the State Department on March 11.
The awards were given to eight women from around the world who have shown leadership while struggling for social justice and human rights.
Mrs. Obama and Secretary Clinton pose with recipients from the International Women of Courage Award ceremony. From left are: Mutabar Tadjibayev of Uzbekistan; Mrs. Obama; Veronika Marchenko of Russia; Wazhma Frogh of Afghanistan; Norma Cruz of Guatemala; Secretary Clinton; Suaad Abbas Salman Allami of Iraq; Ambiga Sreenevasan of Malaysia; and Hadizatou Mani of Niger.
First Lady Michelle Obama greets Hadizatou Mani of Niger at the State Departments Women of Courage Awards for International Women on March 11.
“The women we honor today teach us three very important lessons,” said Mrs. Obama. “One, that as women, we must stand up for ourselves. The second, as women, we must stand up for each other. And finally, as women, we must stand up for justice for all.”
“The President and I share the belief that communities are only as strong as the health of their women,” said First Lady Michelle Obama at the State Department’s Women of Courage Awards.
“Every day, we see what happens to families, communities and countries when women don’t have access to health and medical care; when they don’t have the resources to properly care for their children; when they are oppressed and struggling with emotional, physical, sexual and psychological abuse; when they have no access to education or fair treatment in the justice system.”
President Obama makes his way to speak on earmark reform March 11 at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next to the White House in Washington, D.C.
“I sign this order not just as a President, but as a son, a grandson, a husband, and a father, because growing up, I saw my mother put herself through school and follow her passion for helping others. But I also saw how she struggled to raise me and my sister on her own, worrying about how she’d pay the bills and educate herself and provide for us,” said President Obama as he signed his executive order creating the Women and Girls Council on March 11.
President Obama responds after receiving the economic daily briefing with U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner in the Oval Office on March 11.
President Barack Obama welcomes United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in the Oval Office with a smile on March 10. The world leaders discussed climate change, the global economic crisis and efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons.
President Barack Obama signs an Executive Order on stem cells and a Presidential Memorandum on scientific integrity on Monday, March 9. His Executive Order revokes the Executive Order signed by President Bush, which limited federal funding of research involving human embryonic stem cells.
“Today, more than ever before, science holds the key to our survival as a planet and our security and prosperity as a nation. Its time we once again put science at the top of our agenda and worked to restore Americas place as the world leader in science and technology.”—President Barack Obama, March 9, 2009
President Barack Obama signs an executive order on stem cell research on March 9 in Washington, reversing a decision President Bush has had in place for the last eight years.
“Scientists believe these tiny cells may have the potential to help us understand, and possibly cure, some of our most devastating diseases and conditions,” said President Obama.
Vice-President Joe Biden, White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama join Senator Ted Kennedy at a musical tribute for Kennedy’s 77th birthday at the Kennedy Center on March 8. The event was hosted by comedian Bill Cosby (not pictured.)
President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and one of their daughters, 10-year-old Malia,return from Camp David after spending the weekend there. It was the family’s second trip to their Maryland retreat.
Sasha Obama is in the lead, followed by her sister, Malia, and First Lady Michelle Obama. In the rear is the President, with his usual, cool, calm stride as the family returns from spending the weekend at Camp David in Maryland.
No, the President isn’t spending his time playing outside. That’s actually the newly assembled playground installed on the lawn outside the Oval Office for his daughters, Sasha and Malia. The girls spent about an hour playing outside and it helps to make the White House feel even more like home.
The President had a lot to say at the White House Forum on Health Reform in Washington, D.C., on March 5. He is advocating for universal health care that is accessible and affordable for all Americans.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrive to host another dinner party in their new home. This time it was to honor various Congressional Leaders.
President Obama speaks to Congressional Committee Chairs and ranking members at the start of a dinner honoring Congressional leadership in the East Room of the White House.
First Lady Michelle Obama speaks at Arlington National Cemetery’s Women in Military Service for America Memorial Center in Washington on March 3. This is Mrs. Obama’s first event in what will be a series of efforts to reach out the military families.
Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught escorted the First Lady around the exhibit at the Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. Brig. Gen. Vaught is president of the Women’s Memorial Foundation, and is one of few non medical female Vietnam war veterans.
The rest of the exhibit features women in conflicts throughout the last two centuries, including female pilots, a memorial to women who died in the Global War on Terror, and a quilt made in honor of women who died fighting terrorism.
Mrs. Obama greets members of the audience at Arlington National Cemetery’s Women in Military Service for America Memorial Center. The First Lady was also greeted by 101-year-old Alyce Dixon (Boston-born), who was a company clerk in the 6888th Postal Directory Battalion during WW II. The wheelchair bound former service woman warmly greeted the First Lady saying, “it’s so nice to see you,” and adding, “I want to get rid of the Republicans!”
President Obama speaks as US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar looks on at the Department of Interior during an event to commemorate its 160th anniversary in Washington, DC.
The President gave a speech explaining the purpose of the department saying, “The Interior Department manages the land on which 30 percent of the nation’s energy is produced. So you have a major role to play, all of you, in our clean energy future. The nation is depending on you to help us end the tyranny of foreign oil and become energy independent — by harnessing the wind and the sun, our water, our soil, and American innovation.”
The President discusses the stimulus package and transportation infrastructure at the Department of Transportation on March 3.
“From Wall Street to Main Street, to kitchen tables all across America, our economic challenge is clear,” he said to the gathering of government workers. “Now it is up to us to meet it.”
President Obama greets troops at Goettge Memorial Field House in Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base, North Carolina.
This photo released by The White House on Feb. 27, shows the official portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama taken in the Blue Room of The White House in Washington.
Just like a rock star, President Barack Obama greets well wishers after he disembarked Air Force One at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station.
On their way to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., on Friday, Feb. 27, President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates walk from Marine One helicopter towards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. where the President announced his exit plan for the troops in Iraq.
Chicago Bulls fan President Barack Obama, center, looks on as the Bulls battle against the Washington Wizards during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game on Friday, Feb. 27.
I guess we know what team he’s routing for in this game. Chicago Bulls fan President Barack Obama, center, reacts to a Bulls three-pointer against the Washington Wizards during the fourth quarter of their game on Friday, Feb. 27 in Washington, DC.
President Barack Obama thanks Stevie Wonder after honoring the music legend with the Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize for Popular Song during an East Room tribute at the White House on February 25.
First lady Michelle Obama was on hand to host the event honoring Stevie Wonder. The special, “Stevie Wonder In Performance at the White House: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize,” will air on PBS Thursday, February 26, at 8 P.M. EST on PBS.
President Barack Obama presents music icon Stevie Wonder with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song on February 25 at the White House.
President Barack Obama receives a standing ovation during his address to a Joint Session of Congress at the Capitol, as Vice President Joe Bidden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi look on.
President Barack Obama greets members of Congress at the House Chamber after addressing a Joint Session of Congress at the Capitol February 24. He vowed to lead America through its torment to emerge stronger than ever, declaring a ‘day of reckoning’ after an age of excess ended in economic meltdown.
First Lady Michelle Obama is acknowledged by the President during his address. He also included their special guest, Ty’Sheoma Bethea, left, in his speech and read a quote from her letter pushing for the stimulus package to help her ailing school in South Carolina.
President Obama chats with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso in the Oval Office of the White House on Feb. 24.
The President said he believes the alliance that the U.S. has with Japan is “the cornerstone of security in East Asia.” He invited the Prime Minister to the Oval Office so that they may work together on world issues.
U.S. President Barack Obama shares details of his upcoming budget during the close of the Fiscal Responsibility Summit in the East Room at the White House on February 23.
“Many of you said what I believe, that the biggest source of our deficits is the rising cost of health care,” said the President. “It’s a challenge that impacts businesses, workers and families alike.”
US President Barack Obama pauses for a deep thought during a National Governors Association meeting in the White House on February 23.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama make their grand entrance in the East Room for entertainment after hosting their first black-tie dinner at the White House for the National Governors Association on February 22.
First Lady Michelle Obama checks out the desserts for the governors’ dinner created by pastry chef Bill Yosses and culinary students from L’Academie de Cuisine.
President Barack Obama welcomes the nation’s governors to a black-tie dinner at the White House on February 22.
First Lady Michelle Obama speaks to employees during a visit to the Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C., on February 19. Flanked by the department’s 14 longest-serving employees in their respective bureaus, Mrs. Obama thanked the enthusiastic crowd for their “many years of dedicated service” but warned “there’s a lot of work to do.”
President Obama enjoys a little Canadian sweetness when he buys a maple leaf cookie for his daughters at a local mall in Ottawa, Canada,
President Obama spoke during a press conference in Ottawa, Canada, February 19, where he said he had assured Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper that a ‘Buy American’ clause in his new economic stimulus law would not harm trade between the two allies.
President Barack Obama walks with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper through the Hall of Honor at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada on February 19.
President Barack Obama meets with Canadian Governor General Michaelle Jean on February, 19. Next, he’s off to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, followed by a working lunch in the Prime Minister’s office.
President Barack Obama and Canadian Governor General Michaelle Jean walk across the tarmac following his arrival in Ottawa, Canada on Thursday, Feb. 19. Jean was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II herself.
President Barack Obama is saluted by Royal Canadian Mounted Police as he arrives in Ottawa, Canada, Thursday, Feb. 19. The President will meet with Governor General of Canada Michaëlle Jean in the Canada Reception Centre at the Ottawa International Airport. Following that meeting, he will travel to Parliament Hill, where he will meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Parliament officials.
President Obama walks across the South Lawn before boarding Marine One and departing the White House on February 19 to travel to Canada for his first foreign trip as president. He’s going to meet with Prime Minister Steven Harper to talk about the worldwide economic downturn and the ‘Buy American’ portion of the new stimulus legislation.
The President will then depart Parliament Hill and travel to the Ottawa International Airport, where he will meet with Leader of the Official Opposition Michael Ignatieff. Afterwards, he will meet with US Embassy employees and their families.
The President will return to the Washington DC in the evening.
Sasha Obama, Malia Obama and First Grandma, Marian Robinson, prepare to watch Sweet Honey in the Rock perform.
Before the women took the stage, Mrs. Obama told the crowd of 180 students,
about Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights leaders who met in the White House with presidents Kennedy and Johnson to talk about ending segregation.
First daughter Sasha Obama is there with other DC area school children to watch a performance at the White House, on Wednesday, Feb. 18 by Sweet Honey in the Rock.
Mrs. Obama heads to the East Room of the White House for a celebration of African American History Month and to hear a performance by the famous a cappella ensemble, “Sweet Honey in the Rock.” She invited 180 school children to share in the performance with her.
First Lady Michelle Obama hosted an event honoring African American History Month by welcoming sixth and seventh grade DC school children to a performance at the White House on February 18.
“As the people’s house, we believe the White House should be a place for learning and for sharing new and different ideas, sharing new forms of art and culture, and history and different perspectives. We want you to visit and we want you to take advantage of these opportunities and maybe see something for yourselves that maybe you never thought you could do or be,” said the First Lady during her introduction.
President Barack Obama steps off the stage to take a question from Henrietta Hughes during a discussion on the economy, in Fort Myers, Florida, on February 10.
President Barack Obama speaks at the congressional ceremony celebrating his hero Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday in the Capitol Rotunda on February 12.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama are snapped by photographers after celebrating Valentine’s Day with dinner at one of their favorite restaurants in Chicago on February 14.
The First Family prepares to depart for Chicago for the long weekend on February 13.
The Obamas arrive at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago for the three-day weekend on February 13.
Mrs. Obama met with nine children ages 3-5 during a visit to Mary’s Center. She sat and read “Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See.” When they all reached out to give her a hug at the end, Mrs. Obama said, “Oh delicious. Thank you.”
Mrs. Obama read “Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See” to children during a visit to Mary’s Center in Washington, D.C.
“Do you know how many times I have read this book?” asked the First Lady. She started to read, often without looking at the simple words, proving that she had indeed read the book a lot—likely to First daughters Malia and Sasha.
The kids read along with her through pictures of a yellow duck, a blue horse, and when it came time for the purple cat, she said “meow” and so did the kids.
First Lady Michelle Obama meets with young people during a visit to Mary’s Center, a nonprofit community organization which helps people with limited or no access to health services on February 10.
Air Force security forces who are being deployed to Iraq are elated after meeting President Barack Obama at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on February 10.
First Lady Michelle Obama addresses employees of the Department of the Interior during a visit to their offices on February 9, 2009.
Mrs. Obama displays a Native American shawl presented to her during a visit to the Department of the Interior on February 9.
President Obama answers a question during his first prime time press conference in the East Room of the White House on February 9, 2009. It was the president’s wish for Congress to finally pass his economic stimulus plan and do “whatever it takes” to put America back to work.
President Barack Obama arrives for his first televised prime-time news conference February 9, where he answered questions concerning his proposed stimulus bill.
President Obama spoke during a town hall meeting in Elkhart, Indiania, February 9. He demanded Congress pass his massive economic stimulus plan and warned that delay and paralysis in Washington would bring only “deepening disaster.”
President Barack Obama boards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland for a trip to Elkhart, Indiana, on February 9.
President Barack Obama walks with Andrews Air Force Base Commander Col. Steven Shepro after arriving aboard Marine One and prior to boarding Air Force One in Maryland on February 9.
President Barack Obama walks past a statue of a deer as he leaves the Oval Office on February 9. He’s on his way to Elkhart, Indiana, to hold a town-hall meeting on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.
The President waves as he and First Lady Michelle Obama walk on the South Lawn of the White House after returning from Camp David on February 8.
First Daughters Malia (bottom) and Sasha (top) Obama step off the Marine One helicopter with a friend on the South Lawn of the White House upon their return from Camp David.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet the audience as they attend Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s performance entitled “Fiftieth Anniversary Highlights” at the Kennedy Center in Washington on February 6.
Some audience members even hung over the balcony above the presidential box trying to reach down to shake Mr. and Mrs. Obama’s hands. One woman in an adjacent box appeared to be shrieking with delight at her close encounter with the First Family.
