10 moments to remember from Obama’s farewell address
From the Looking back: Summing up the Obama years in photos, data series
- Updated
President Barack Obama bid farewell to the nation on Tuesday in his final formal address as president of the United States. Here are 10 of the most memorable quotes from his speech:
Obama farewell address
- AP photo
- Updated
"Whether we have seen eye-to-eye or rarely agreed at all, my conversations with you, the American people — in living rooms and in schools; at farms and on factory floors; at diners and on distant military outposts — those conversations are what have kept me honest, and kept me inspired, and kept me going. And every day, I have learned from you. You made me a better president, and you made me a better man."
Obama farewell address
- AP photo
- Updated
"For 240 years, our nation's call to citizenship has given work and purpose to each new generation. It's what led patriots to choose republic over tyranny, pioneers to trek west, slaves to brave that makeshift railroad to freedom.
"It's what pulled immigrants and refugees across oceans and the Rio Grande. It's what pushed women to reach for the ballot. It's what powered workers to organize. It's why GIs gave their lives at Omaha Beach and Iwo Jima, Iraq and Afghanistan — and why men and women from Selma to Stonewall were prepared to give theirs as well.
"So that's what we mean when we say America is exceptional."
Obama farewell address
- AP photo
- Updated
"Yes, our progress has been uneven. The work of democracy has always been hard. It has been contentious. Sometimes it has been bloody. For every two steps forward, it often feels we take one step back. But the long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion, a constant widening of our founding creed to embrace all, and not just some."
Obama farewell address
- AP photo
- Updated
"In 10 days the world will witness a hallmark of our democracy. No, no, no, no, no," (in response to crowd reaction).
"The peaceful transfer of power from one freely-elected President to the next. I committed to President-Elect Trump that my administration would ensure the smoothest possible transition, just as President Bush did for me."
Obama farewell address
- AP photo
- Updated
"Health care costs are rising at the slowest rate in 50 years. And I've said, and I mean it, anyone can put together a plan that is demonstrably better than the improvements we've made to our health care system, that covers as many people at less cost, I will publicly support it.
"Because that, after all, is why we serve. Not to score points or take credit. But to make people's lives better."
Obama farewell address
- AP photos
- Updated
"There's a second threat to our democracy. And this one is as old as our nation itself.
"After my election there was talk of a post-racial America. And such a vision, however well intended, was never realistic. Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society.
"Now I've lived long enough to know that race relations are better than they were 10 or 20 or 30 years ago, no matter what some folks say."
Obama farewell address
- AP photo
- Updated
"In just eight years we've halved our dependence on foreign oil, we've doubled our renewable energy, we've led the world to an agreement that the promise to save this planet.
"But without bolder action, our children won't have time to debate the existence of climate change. They'll be busy dealing with its effects. More environmental disasters, more economic disruptions, waves of climate refugees seeking sanctuary.
"Now we can and should argue about the best approach to solve the problem. But to simply deny the problem not only betrays future generations, it betrays the essential spirit of this country, the essential spirit of innovation and practical problem-solving that guided our founders."
Obama farewell address
- Updated
"We all have to try harder. We all have to start with the premise that each of our fellow citizens loves this country just as much as we do — that they value hard work and family just like we do, that their children are just as curious and hopeful and worthy of love as our own.
"And that's not easy to do. For too many of us it's become safer to retreat into our own bubbles, whether in our neighborhoods, or on college campuses, or places of worship, or especially our social media feeds, surrounded by people who look like us and share the same political outlook and never challenge our assumptions."
Obama farewell address
- AP photo
- Updated
"Rivals like Russia or China cannot match our influence around the world — unless we give up what we stand for, and turn ourselves into just another big country that bullies smaller neighbors.
"Which brings me to my final point — our democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted.
"All of us, regardless of party, should be throwing ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions."
Obama farewell address
- AP photo
- Updated
"That's what our democracy demands. It needs you. Not just when there's an election, not just when you own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime. If you're tired of arguing with strangers on the Internet, try talking with one of them in real life.
"If something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and do some organizing. If you're disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clip board, get some signatures, and run for office yourself. Show up, dive in, stay at it. Sometimes you'll win, sometimes you'll lose."
More like this...
Obama farewell address
- AP photo
"Whether we have seen eye-to-eye or rarely agreed at all, my conversations with you, the American people — in living rooms and in schools; at farms and on factory floors; at diners and on distant military outposts — those conversations are what have kept me honest, and kept me inspired, and kept me going. And every day, I have learned from you. You made me a better president, and you made me a better man."
Obama farewell address
- AP photo
"For 240 years, our nation's call to citizenship has given work and purpose to each new generation. It's what led patriots to choose republic over tyranny, pioneers to trek west, slaves to brave that makeshift railroad to freedom.
"It's what pulled immigrants and refugees across oceans and the Rio Grande. It's what pushed women to reach for the ballot. It's what powered workers to organize. It's why GIs gave their lives at Omaha Beach and Iwo Jima, Iraq and Afghanistan — and why men and women from Selma to Stonewall were prepared to give theirs as well.
"So that's what we mean when we say America is exceptional."
Obama farewell address
- AP photo
"Yes, our progress has been uneven. The work of democracy has always been hard. It has been contentious. Sometimes it has been bloody. For every two steps forward, it often feels we take one step back. But the long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion, a constant widening of our founding creed to embrace all, and not just some."
Obama farewell address
- AP photo
"In 10 days the world will witness a hallmark of our democracy. No, no, no, no, no," (in response to crowd reaction).
"The peaceful transfer of power from one freely-elected President to the next. I committed to President-Elect Trump that my administration would ensure the smoothest possible transition, just as President Bush did for me."
Obama farewell address
- AP photo
"Health care costs are rising at the slowest rate in 50 years. And I've said, and I mean it, anyone can put together a plan that is demonstrably better than the improvements we've made to our health care system, that covers as many people at less cost, I will publicly support it.
"Because that, after all, is why we serve. Not to score points or take credit. But to make people's lives better."
Obama farewell address
- AP photos
"There's a second threat to our democracy. And this one is as old as our nation itself.
"After my election there was talk of a post-racial America. And such a vision, however well intended, was never realistic. Race remains a potent and often divisive force in our society.
"Now I've lived long enough to know that race relations are better than they were 10 or 20 or 30 years ago, no matter what some folks say."
Obama farewell address
- AP photo
"In just eight years we've halved our dependence on foreign oil, we've doubled our renewable energy, we've led the world to an agreement that the promise to save this planet.
"But without bolder action, our children won't have time to debate the existence of climate change. They'll be busy dealing with its effects. More environmental disasters, more economic disruptions, waves of climate refugees seeking sanctuary.
"Now we can and should argue about the best approach to solve the problem. But to simply deny the problem not only betrays future generations, it betrays the essential spirit of this country, the essential spirit of innovation and practical problem-solving that guided our founders."
Obama farewell address
"We all have to try harder. We all have to start with the premise that each of our fellow citizens loves this country just as much as we do — that they value hard work and family just like we do, that their children are just as curious and hopeful and worthy of love as our own.
"And that's not easy to do. For too many of us it's become safer to retreat into our own bubbles, whether in our neighborhoods, or on college campuses, or places of worship, or especially our social media feeds, surrounded by people who look like us and share the same political outlook and never challenge our assumptions."
Obama farewell address
- AP photo
"Rivals like Russia or China cannot match our influence around the world — unless we give up what we stand for, and turn ourselves into just another big country that bullies smaller neighbors.
"Which brings me to my final point — our democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted.
"All of us, regardless of party, should be throwing ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions."
Obama farewell address
- AP photo
"That's what our democracy demands. It needs you. Not just when there's an election, not just when you own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime. If you're tired of arguing with strangers on the Internet, try talking with one of them in real life.
"If something needs fixing, then lace up your shoes and do some organizing. If you're disappointed by your elected officials, grab a clip board, get some signatures, and run for office yourself. Show up, dive in, stay at it. Sometimes you'll win, sometimes you'll lose."
More like this...
In this Series
Looking back: Summing up the Obama years in photos, data
1
Updated collection
10 moments to remember from Obama’s farewell address
2
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25 facts about Barack Obama
3
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5 updates
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