Oct. 9
Chairperson of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Thorbjorn Jagland, with a picture of President Obama at The Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo, Norway. The announcement came as a surprise to many since virtually unknown in the world before he launched his campaign for the White House nearly three years ago.
Torbjorn Gronning-AP
July 20, 2008
President Obama, right, walks with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan at the Presidential Palace in Kabul. Obama is the third sitting U.S. president to receive the award. While his predecessors won after significant diplomatic achievements, Obama is still struggling with two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Anonymous-ASSOCIATED PRESS
April 1, 2009
President Obama speaks with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at the G-20 Summit in London. Obama worked with Russian leaders in September at the United Nations General Assembly to outline sanctions against Iran if the country does not stop enriching uranium.
Saul Loeb-AFP/Getty Images
May 6, 2009
President Obama, joined by Karzi, left, and President Zardari of Pakistan, right. Obama is weighing whether to increase the number of U.S. troops fighting Taliban insurgents and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.
Bill O'leary-The Washington Post
June 3, 2009
President Obama shakes hands with King Abdullah after receiving a gift of a gold necklace called the King Abdul Aziz Order of Merit, Saudi Arabia's highest honor. The two leaders held a bilateral meeting at the King's Farm in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Gerald Herbert-AP
June 4, 2009
President Obama speaks in Cairo, Egypt, delivering his first major address to Muslim nations. The Norwegian Nobel Committee cited his outreach to the Muslim world and attempts to curb nuclear proliferation in selecting him to receive the prestigious award.
Ben Curtis-AP
June 4, 2009
Palestinians watch President Obama's speech at a barber shop in east Jerusalem on June 4, 2009. Obama is currently searching for ways to build momentum to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
Ahmad Gharabli-AFP/Getty Images
June 6, 2009
President Obama shakes hands with French President Nicolas Sarkozy during a bilateral meeting at the Prefecture of Caen. A spokeswoman for the European Commission told reporters in Brussels that the award "is an encouragement for engagement by all those who can contribute to bring about a safer world."
Mandel Ngan-AFP/Getty Images
July 10, 2009
From left to right, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, President Obama and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon applaud during the unveiling of a commemorative plaque after a meeting of the G8 and participating African countries during the G8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy. White House aides have described the tenets of his foreign policy as emphasizing "mutual interest and mutual respect."
Vincenzo Pinto-AFP/Getty Images
July 11, 2009
President Obama at the Accra International Conference Center in Ghana. Obama gave a speech in Accra offering U.S. support to the developing world, but reminded the nations that they are responsible for their futures.
Marvin Joseph/twp-THE WASHINGTON POST
July 10, 2009
President Obama meets with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. During their brief meeting in the Papal library, the two men discussed the situations in the Middle East, Cuba and Honduras.
Saul Loeb-AFP/Getty Images
Sept. 22, 2009
President Obama moderates a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right. In response to the award, a leader of Hamas, the Islamist organization that controls Gaza, said "we believe he has been rewarded or judged based on good intentions towards peace but not on his achievement."
Jim Watson-AFP/Getty Images
Sept. 23, 2009
President Obama at the United Nations General Assembly. Obama led a discussion of ways to combat climate change in addition to a meeting on nuclear proliferation in Iran with the Security Council.
Jim Watson-AFP/Getty Images
Sept. 23, 2009
President Obama called for global cooperation at the U.N. General Assembly. The Nobel Prize committee said "dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts."
Mario Tama-Getty Images
Sept. 24, 2009
President Obama chairs a meeting of the Security Council at the United Nations headquarters. The Security Council unanimously approved a resolution that called for a world without nuclear weapons.
Charles Dharapak-AP
Gallery Credits:
Photo Editor Dan Murano
Audio Reporter, Audio Editor Emily Kotecki
Obama accepts Nobel Peace Prize