In October 2009 the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded Barack Obama the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation.
The award came less than a year into his presidency and surprised many, including Obama, who said he did not feel he deserved to be in the company of past winners.
Oslo Speech
He accepted the prize in Oslo on December 10, 2009, delivering a speech that addressed the idea of a just war while U.S. troops served in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Did You Know
Obama is one of four U.S. presidents to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, along with Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Jimmy Carter.
Learn More
For primary sources, explore the Obama White House archives maintained by the National Archives, the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, and presidential history collections at your local library. Reading accounts from supporters and critics alike gives the fullest picture of any presidency.
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