Steeped in nostalgia, Barack Obama on Tuesday addressed the United States for the final time as its President. Taking the final bow, he made sure that every eye in his hometown of Chicago shed a tear. Looking back at his tenure as the President, Barack Obama spoke about the promises he kept and those who were left unfulfilled .
Obama said America’s great “potential will be realized only if our democracy works. Only if our politics reflects the decency of our people. Only if all of us, regardless of our party affiliation or particular interest, help restore the sense of common purpose that we so badly need right now.”
Here are 5 most memorable statements from his last presidential speech:
# 1: Importance of democracy: “Democracy does not require uniformity,” Obama said. “Our founders quarreled and compromised, and expected us to do the same. But they knew that democracy does require a basic sense of solidarity — the idea that for all our outward differences, we are all in this together; that we rise or fall as one.”
“For all our outward differences, we in fact all share the same proud title…Citizen.” —@POTUS #ObamaFarewell https://t.co/2AM3wOII3z
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 11, 2017
# 2: His wife Michelle: “Michelle — for the past twenty-five years, you’ve been not only my wife and mother of my children but my best friend. You took on a role you didn’t ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. You’ve made me proud. You’ve made the country proud.”
“Michelle…for the past twenty-five years, you have been not only my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend ” —@POTUS pic.twitter.com/CwIFdbiOqH
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 11, 2017
# 3: His children: Malia and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women, smart and beautiful, but more importantly, kind and thoughtful and full of passion. You wore the burden of years in the spotlight so easily. Of all that I’ve done in my life, I’m most proud to be your dad.
“Of all that I’ve done in my life, I’m most proud to be your dad.” —@POTUS to Malia and Sasha #ObamaFarewell https://t.co/JLR06l27pJ
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 11, 2017
# 4: Leaving behind an optimistic America: “I know our work has not only helped so many Americans; it has inspired so many Americans — especially so many young people out there — to believe you can make a difference; to hitch your wagon to something bigger than yourselves. This generation coming up — unselfish, altruistic, creative, patriotic — I’ve seen you in every corner of the country. You believe in a fair, just, inclusive America; you know that constant change has been America’s hallmark, something not to fear but to embrace.”
“You know that constant change has been America’s hallmark, something not to fear but to embrace” —@POTUS pic.twitter.com/ouTi9Ipa91
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 11, 2017
# 5: Yes We Can: “I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change — but in yours… Yes We Can. Yes We Did. Yes We Can.”
“My fellow Americans, it has been the honor of my life to serve you.” —@POTUS #ObamaFarewell https://t.co/anw8vqHHp8
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 11, 2017
Farewell Mr President, We will miss you!
