Michelle Obama's Maternal Slavery Roots

The New York Times traced first lady Michelle Obama's five generation path from slavery to the White House. Harry Smith of CBS interviewed Megan Smoleyak, the genealogist who researched Mrs. Obama’s maternal ancestry.

Kudos to Megan Smoleyak for her patience and diligence in uncovering this invaluable information.

The 9th Cousins

President Barack Obama, who was a Senator at the time of the interview, discusses being distantly related to former Vice president, Dick Cheney. President Obama and former Vice President Cheney are 9th cousins.

Inauguration Day 2009

U.S. President Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States during the inauguration ceremony in Washington, January 20, 2009. The Bible Michelle Obama (2nd L) was holding is the same one that President Abraham Lincoln used at his inauguration in 1861. Daughters Malia and Sasha (R) watch the swearing in of their father.

===============================

There are some days that you will forever remember where you were and what you were doing. Tuesday, January 20, 2009 is one of those days.

Even though I only live a little less than four hours from our nation's capitol, I was not about to go there on Inauguration Day and deal with the large crowds and the cold weather. On a normal day with tourism and all, Washington, D.C. is crowded and congested. I even have relatives and friends who live in the Washington, D.C. area, but that still didn't convince me to try to make the trip.

I was satisfied with watching the inauguration of our 44th president on television and online. My 86-year-old maternal grandmother Emma and I were glued to the television all day. Neither of us had ever watched an inauguration, but this one was quite special because of Barack Obama, the first African American President. Both of us were very excited and amazed at all the ceremony and pageantry of the festivities.

When I saw the crowd cheering and waving flags, I felt like I needed to wave something. I didn't buy an American flag as I had planned, but I waved a small towel to show my excitement for this inauguration.

How thrilling it was to watch as our new American President and First Lady walked down the street. Even though Michelle's dress was lined and padded, she still had to be cold. I thought about her later in the week when I wore a dress to work. As I got into the car to warm it up, I thought about my freezing legs and Michelle's freezing legs. Pantyhose and the cold weather just don't mix.

I stayed up a little past 8 p.m. to see Michelle Obama's dress. Didn't she look lovely in this ivory gown?

Aretha Franklin – Queen of Soul

Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, did an outstanding job (as usual) in singing at the inauguration of our new president, Barack Obama. I loved Aretha’s grey outfit, especially the hat with the large bow. Although I don’t wear “church hats” on a regular basis, I admire women who wear attractive hats. I have a maternal family history of hat wearing and this probably contributes to my admiration for “church hats.” It’s just something about a woman in a hat that completes an outfit.


Video - Singing “My County ‘Tis of Thee” at Inauguration of Barack Obama

White House Video Tour (Part 1) - Oval Office

This tour of the layout of the White House Oval Office conducted by President George W. Bush is quite interesting. I have seen many photos of this office, but having a tour is much more interesting. In just a few days, President-Elect Barack Obama will move into this office. Wonder what types of portraits, carpet, or busts will he choose?

==========================

Movin' on Up – The Obamas

In less than a week, the world will witness history as the Obama’s move into the White House. This funny video, Obama’s Movin’ on Up captures the Obama’s rise to the White House.

Obama family goes Unplugged on Access Hollywood!

In this 4-part video, the family of the now President-Elect Barack Obama, his wife Michelle, and daughters Malia and Sasha are interviewed by Access Hollywood. The interview was conducted during the Summer of 2008.

Obama family goes Unplugged on Access Hollywood! (Part 1 of 4)


Obama family goes Unplugged on Access Hollywood! (Part 2 of 4)


Obama family goes Unplugged on Access Hollywood! (Pary 3 of 4)


Obama family goes Unplugged on Access Hollywood! (Part 4 of 4)

Barack Obama’s Family Tree

The family tree of President-Elect Barack Obama has diverse branches. He is an example of the cliché that says that “you can’t judge a book by its cover.” When you look at him, you see a tall, light-skinned, African American male. What you don’t see in his physical traits is that he is the product of an American Caucasian woman and an African man from Kenya and that his ancestors came from a sundry of places such as Africa, America, and Europe.

Obama’s election as 44th president of the United States continues the presidential legacy in his family. Obama is a distant cousin of three U.S. presidents -- Harry S Truman, George W. Bush and George Herbert Walker Bush. He is also a distant cousin of Vice President Dick Cheney, as well as actor Brad Pitt.

For more information on Barack Obama’s family tree, visit the following websites.

Son of Presidents and Tribal Chiefs

Bios of Obama’s Family Members

Interactive Obama Family Tree

Obama’s Family Tree

Graphical View of Obama’s Family Tree

Barack Obama Wins!

Congratulations to Barack Obama on his election as the 44th President of the United States. His acceptance speech was held in Chicago, IL on November 4th, 2008.

A Bridge to Somewhere

Although I was not able to attend the Obama rally in my city on October 4, 2008, I passed by the street bridge which led to the area where he spoke. In this photo, these people had walked across the street bridge into the downtown Newport News area where Senator Obama would be speaking that afternoon.

I had been out of town on a retreat that day and the Interstate exit to my home was on the other side of this bridge. I drove through this exit around 12:30 p.m. as people were on their way to the rally. The people I saw were probably the late ones who would have been in the back of the crowd.

As I sat at the stop light after exiting the Interstate, I watched from my rear view mirror and driver's window, the masses of people beginning their walk across the bridge which was in the opposite direction of where I was driving. As I drove through the green light, to my left I saw rows of cars for several blocks and people walking towards the bridge. That's not a bridge to No Where, I thought, It's a Bridge to Somewhere. I continued my drive home wishing that I had been home earlier so that I could have attended the rally.

Obama Comes to Town

Last Saturday, October 4, 2008, Democrat Presidential Candidate Barack Obama visited my hometown. I did not get to see him, but thanks to online videos and photos, I can see what occurred during his visit. Below is a video of a portion of his speech in Newport News, VA.

Michelle Obama's Speech at Democratic National Convention