From the time of slavery right through to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s there have been many great leaders who fought to break down racial barriers in America. On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama became the first African American to take the oath of office as President of the United States. On that day, the biggest racial barrier of all, the Presidency of the United States of America, was overcome.

By viewing the video students will come to understand the people and events that broke down the barriers that led to this major milestone in American history. In addition, students will learn about the life of President Barack Obama. Students will discover the people and events that impacted his life.

Obama broke down barriers at Harvard University to become the first President of the Harvard Law Review and how he beat the odds to become the Democrats' Presidential Nominee. Students will come to understand that President Obama and the success of all the great civil rights leaders who came before helped to tear down racial and political barriers that existed in America for over 200 years. Students will learn that President Obama’s election symbolizes America’s promise of freedom and equal rights for every one of its citizens.