Countdown on the End of Obama's presidency [Photos]

[Shadow]

Obama insists he still has 'hope' but takes aim at Trump with pro- immigration speech - urging Americans to politicize and fight racism, as he, Malia and Joe ALL cry - but Michelle keeps her cool

• Obama attempted to steer the country towards policies and values at the core of his vision for America
• His final address began at 9pm EST and was delivered from his adopted hometown of Chicago, Illinois
• 'Yes We Can. Yes We Did. Yes We Can,' Obama said, a reference to his 2008 slogan and a nod to the future progress he expects backers of his brand of politics to make
• First Lady Michelle Obama and his daughter Malia watched on from the audience - daughter Sasha stayed home as she was studying for a test, a White House official said
• He welled up during the 50-minute speech and Malia and his VP Joe Biden also shed some tears
• He made multiple references to President-elect Donald Trump who will take over office in 10 days

President Barack Obama received a hero's welcome in Chicago Tuesday night as he took the stage to deliver his farewell speech

'My fellow Americans,' Obama said to cheers, 'Michelle and I have been so touched by all the well-wishes we’ve received over the past few weeks.' Every day, I learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man'

The president emphasized the need for unity among Americans, and gave a shout out to the contributions of immigrants, women, workers, veterans and activists

From left, Vice President Joe Biden, Jill Biden, first lady Michelle Obama and Malia Obama, standing for the national anthem

The president himself wiped away a tear while paying tribute to his wife, who he said made the role of First Lady her own 'with grace and with grit and with style'

Emotional: In the 50-minute speech Obama further took on the touchy topic of race, saying that talk of a 'post-racial America' after he was elected 'was never realistic'

Obama went on to say: 'Malia and Sasha, under the strangest of circumstances, you have become two amazing young women...You have become two amazing young women. You are smart and you are beautiful and more importantly you are kind and thoughtful and full of passion.' Malia shed a tear as he father spoke

Flood gates were opened: Biden also shed a few tears as Obama called him 'his brother'. Biden is seen above with his wife Jill in the audience

 

[Shadow]

President Barack Obama wipes his tears as he speaks at McCormick Place in Chicago while speaking about his wife's support over the years

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He told his daughters, only one of whom was in attendance that of all the things he'd done in his life, 'I'm most proud to be your dad'

Obama also threw down the gauntlet to Trump

Obama also threw down the gauntlet to Trump, saying if anyone could come up with a better healthcare plan, he would be happy to publicly support it

Obama acknowledged it was easy for people to retreat into their own bubbles - whether it was on college campuses or through social media - and called it a 'threat to democracy'

 

[Shadow]

Michelle and Malia watch on from the crowd during the address. Obama thanked both of them and daughter Sasha in his final speech to the nation

Malia sheds a tear as her father says during his final address to the nation that he is so 'proud to be her dad'

US first lady Michelle Obama (R) and the Vice Presidents wife, Jill Biden, hug as US President Barack Obama speaks during his farewell address in Chicago

 

[Petro E. Mselewa]

Atakwenda tena Kenya?

 

[Petro E. Mselewa]

Mkuu sana Shadow, ndiyo hii?

 

[Shadow]

'Michelle - for the past 25 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,' the president told his wife. they are seen embracing after the speech

Malia hugs her father as she joins him on the stage after he delivered his final address to the nation

'For now, whether you’re young or young at heart, I do have one final ask of you as your President – the same thing I asked when you took a chance on me eight years ago. I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change – but in yours,' Obama said

'To Joe Biden, the scrappy kid from Scranton who became Delaware's favorite son: you were the first choice I made as a nominee, and the best,' Obama told Biden during the speech. They are seen hugging after the address



'Michelle - for the past 25 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,' the president told his wife. they are seen embracing after the speech

Malia hugs her father as she joins him on the stage after he delivered his final address to the nation

'For now, whether you’re young or young at heart, I do have one final ask of you as your President – the same thing I asked when you took a chance on me eight years ago. I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change – but in yours,' Obama said

'To Joe Biden, the scrappy kid from Scranton who became Delaware's favorite son: you were the first choice I made as a nominee, and the best,' Obama told Biden during the speech. They are seen hugging after the address

 

[Shadow]

The First Family hold hands as they take to the stage at the end of Obama's address in Chicago

'So that's what we mean when we say America is exceptional. Not that our nation has been flawless from the start, but that we have shown the capacity to change, and make life better for those who follow,' said Obama. He is seen above on stage after the speech with wife Michelle and daughter Malia

'So that's what we mean when we say America is exceptional. Not that our nation has been flawless from the start, but that we have shown the capacity to change, and make life better for those who follow,' Obama told the crowd. He is seen above on stage with wife Michelle and daughter Sasha

'If I had told you that we would win marriage equality, and secure the right to health insurance for another 20 million of our fellow citizens - you might have said our sights were set a little too high. But that's what we did. That's what you did. You were the change. You answered people's hopes, and because of you, by almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started,' Obama said during the speech. His daughter Malia is embraced by her mom Michelle above

President Barack Obama waves as he is joined by First Lady Michelle Obama after giving his presidential farewell address

 

[Shadow]

Obama called the idea of a 'post-racial America' touted after he was elected 'unrealistic'. He said race relations had improved in past decades, but added: 'We're not where we need to be'

Time to say goodbye: President Barack Obama is joined by First Lady Michelle Obama, daughter Malia Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden after giving his presidential farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago

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Obama boarded the Air Force One in what is likely to be his last ever flight on the aircraft. Pictured right, Malia following her father up the steps

 

[Shadow]

President Barack Obama boarded Air Force One with First Lady Michelle Obama in Maryland earlier on Tuesday. Obama steps down in just 10 days before Donald Trump enters the White House

Both the president and the first lady wore heavy, black winter coats en route to the Windy City. They are expected to return to Washington DC overnight in what is likely to be their last ever trip on Air Force One

Obama's legacy hangs in the balance after Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton won the national popular vote but came up short in the Electoral College. He is expected to use his final address as a way to cement his vision for the US

Their older daughter Malia, 18, was seen flashing a wide smile on the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland before she boarded Air Force One. She wore a stylish camel topcoat with black high heeled ankle boots

Obama stopped for a photo opportunity with Air Force One crew members ahead of his last chance to steer the country toward the policies and values at the core of his vision for America

Obama (pictured with Michelle and Malia leaving the WHite House) delivered remarks before 18,000 supporters, some of whom paid more than $300 for a spot at Chicago's convention center tonight

Pictured, Obama aboard the Air Force One en route to Chicago

Pictured left, Obama aboard Air Force One en route to Chicago, and right, speechwriter Cody Keenan going over the president's remarks

 

[Shadow]

Atakwenda tena Kenya?

good question brother!

 

[Nilufer]

Jamani mbona simuoni sasha hapo....nampendaga yule mtoto

 

[Saint Ivuga]

Speech writer

 

[The Evil Genius]

Jamani mbona simuoni sasha hapo....nampendaga yule mtoto

Uwe unasoma kabla hujauliza ili kuficha uwezo wako mdogo wa akili.

Ukisoma hapo juu mwandishi kasema huyo binti alibaki nyumbani kujisomea maana ana test hivyo aliangalia hotuba ya baba yake kupitia tv.

 

[miss mbuja]

Uwe unasoma kabla hujauliza ili kuficha uwezo wako mdogo wa akili.

Ukisoma hapo juu mwandishi kasema huyo binti alibaki nyumbani kujisomea maana ana test hivyo aliangalia hotuba ya baba yake kupitia tv.

Mmmmhh ungemueleza tu.vzr kwani kulikuwa na haja ya kumwambia kuwa ana uwezo mdogo wa akili au mkubwa jamani!!watu tunatofautiana mkuu

 

[Shadow]

Jamani mbona simuoni sasha hapo....nampendaga yule mtoto

alikuwa anajiandaa na mitihani !

 

[Nilufer]

alikuwa anajiandaa na mitihani !

ahaa kumbe sikusoma hapo juu...asante

 

[Nilufer]

Mmmmhh ungemueleza tu.vzr kwani kulikuwa na haja ya kumwambia kuwa ana uwezo mdogo wa akili au mkubwa jamani!!watu tunatofautiana mkuu

mwenzangu bora umenisaidia maana kanishambulia utafikiri nimemkosea yeye personally....wakati kupitiwa kwa binadamu ni jambo la kawaida tu

 

[Nilufer]

Uwe unasoma kabla hujauliza ili kuficha uwezo wako mdogo wa akili.

Ukisoma hapo juu mwandishi kasema huyo binti alibaki nyumbani kujisomea maana ana test hivyo aliangalia hotuba ya baba yake kupitia tv.

eeh kwa hiyo kuuliza hivyo tu tayari umeshaona kwamba ninauwezo mdogo wa akili? .....anyway unaonekana una tress sana fanya udeal nazo mwenyewe sio uje hapa kuletea watu usiowajua.....hovyo kabisa!!!!

 

[Yamakagashi]

Jamani mbona simuoni sasha hapo....nampendaga yule mtoto

Yupo anabukua kesho ana pepa ,si unajua huku kwetu ukiwa mtoto wa mkubwa Udom unasoma Degree wakati path aliyopitia Jesika haieleweki

 

[Kishada04]

Americans will miss his great speeches!