8 Days Left in Obama's Presidency

Memory 3 of 10.  President Obama is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Just ten months into his presidency on October 9, 2009, the Nobel Committee announced President Barack Obama would be a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the most prestigious international awards. He was given the award based on his message of hope and willingness to promote peace among nations for a better, safer, future.

The Nobel Committee praised President Obama and stated their reasons for selecting him was due to his,"extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." Additionally for his role in wanting to strengthen human rights. 

I remember I was living and studying in Spain at the time. In the other room the radio was playing and I heard the announcer filled with joy and excitement cut in to announce that President Obama had been chosen as the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize recipient. At first, I was confused and didn't know if I had mistranslated his words in Spanish. However, once my host mom began to shout in the other room ¡Obama! ¡Obama! smiling and expressing her joy and amazement with the Nobel Committee's selection, I knew it was real.

At that moment I realized how so many people worldwide recognized his vision and were just as eager to see him succeed in promoting peace and better relations with other countries.