Today in History, November 4, 2006, Barack Obama kickstarted a three year domination of November 4ths that hasn’t been seen since and may never be seen again.
In 2006, Obama landed the cover of Time magazine, not even two years after being elected as a U.S. Senator for Illinois. The headline: “Why Barack Obama Could Be The Next President.”
2007 wasn’t as good, but served as the second act for his Nov. 4 story: Obama trailed Hillary Clinton by 19 percentage points in the Democratic primary. Could the underdog fulfill the promise of that magazine cover?
2008’s Nov. 4 answered that question with a resounding yes: Obama defeated John McCain in the general election to become the first African-American to be elected to the nation’s highest office.
Celebrating birthdays this November 4? The National Security Agency (63) and Sean “Puffy” Combs (46). Blow out those candles, fellas!
Find out more about November 4s past and watch more Today in History videos on Timeline.