The Obamas Sunday Best...

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle O. (wearing a dress by Jason Wu) and their daughters Malia and Sasha walked to the St John's Church across from the White House in Washington, DC, on July 17, 2011 to attend a Sunday prayer service.

Later watching the U.S. play Japan in the World Cup women's soccer match at the White House.
[photos via Getty Images]

First Lady Michelle O. Arrives in Africa on an Official Visit...

First lady Michelle Obama (wearing a jacket from Duro Olowu's fall 2010 collection) held a bouquet of flowers, and daughters Malia, right, and Sasha, were draped in blankets given to them upon landing in Pretoria, en route to Johannesburg, South Africa, Monday, June 20, 2011, as they begin their week long trip to Africa.

First lady Michelle Obama, and her mother Marian Robinson, looked on as daughters Malia, second from right, and Sasha, black jacket, are given blankets as they land in Pretoria en route to Johannesburg, South Africa, Monday, June 20, 2011, as they begin their week long trip to Africa. [photo via AP Photo]

Girls Trip! First Lady Michelle O. First Daughters & First Granny to Travel to Africa This Summer...

via USA Today: Don't forget the sunscreen: It's summer travel time for the female members of the first family - they're headed to southern Africa this month.

First lady Michelle Obama announced Friday she will visit Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa and Gaborone, Botswana on June 21-26, accompanied by daughters Malia and Sasha, and by her mother, Marian Robinson.

Obama's office said the trip will be a continuation of the first lady's effort to encourage young people at home and abroad, a traditional first-lady project which Obama has taken up with zeal. World travel also is traditional for first ladies: Obama has already picked up a slew of stamps in her passport, with visits to Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, India and Mexico, not to mention the glittering capitals of Europe. Obama hopes to underscore America's continuing interest in the success of African nations and strengthen historic connections between Americans and Africans.

And it will be a pretty cool vacation for already intrepid travelers Malia, who turns 13 on July 4, and Sasha, who will turn 10 on June 10.

Obamas Arrive in El Salvador...

 The president spoke with his wife Michelle, upon their arrival at the airport in the San Salvador on March 22, 2011. US President Barack Obama arrived in El Salvador Tuesday on the last leg of a three-nation tour of Latin America.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet young school children upon arrival on Air Force One in San Salvador, El Salvador, March 22, 2011.

President Obama his wife Michelle, their daughters Sasha and Malia and Salvador's Foreign Minister Hugo Martinez posed for a picture with Sherlyn Artiga and Diego Carpio -- both students of The United States of America School -- upon their arrival at the airport in San Salvador on March 22, 2011. US President Barack Obama arrived in El Salvador Tuesday on the last leg of a three-nation tour of Latin America.

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama departed from Chile in Santiago March 22, 2011.
[photos via Getty Images and Reuters]

Obamas Enjoy a Martial Arts Performance in Rio...

 President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle O. and their daughters Malia, and Sasha watched a drum and martial arts performance by children during their tour of the Ciudad de Deus Favela neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro March 20, 2011.

[photos via AP Photo and Reuters]

The Obamas Color Coordinate their Arrival in Rio...

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle, and their daughters Malia, and Sasha, descend from the presidential airplane as they arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 19, 2011. Obama arrived in Brazil Saturday, calling for bolstering economic ties between the United States and Latin America to open new markets and create more jobs.

And earlier, President Obama introduced his daughters to Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff upon their arrival at Palacio do Alvorada in Brasilia March 19, 2011. 

First Lady Michelle Obama (wearing Naeem Khan) smiles with daughter Malia upon their arrival at Palacio do Alvorada in Brasilia March 19, 2011.
[photos via Getty Images and Reuters]

Obama Family Travels to Latin America...

First Lady Michelle Obama applauded as she attends cultural performances at Oca da Tribo restaurant in Brasilia, Brazil, Saturday March 19, 2011. Michelle Obama and her two daughters Sasha and Malia attended cultural performances with young Brazilians, many from disadvantaged backgrounds who have participated in a range of U.S. sponsored exchange and leadership development programs.

First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughter Sasha watched a Capoeira performance at Oca da Tribo restaurant in Brasilia, Brazil, Saturday March 19, 2011. Michelle Obama and her two daughters Sasha and Malia attended a cultural performance with young Brazilians, many from disadvantaged backgrounds who have participated in a range of U.S. sponsored exchange and leadership development programs.

President Barack Obama, his daughters Sasha and Malia, and his wife Michelle descend the steps of Air Force One upon their arrival in Brasilia, March 19, 2011. Obama is on the first leg of a three-country tour of Latin America.

President Barack Obama waved as Brazilian President Dilma Vana Rousseff, right, blew kisses during the arrival ceremony at the Palacio do Planalto in Brasilia, Brazil, Saturday, March 19, 2011. Greeting guests at left is first lady Michelle Obama.
[photos by AP Photo and Reuters]

Celebrating Black History...

A moment in current Black History...
The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States took place on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. The inauguration, which set a record attendance for any event held in Washington, D.C., marked the commencement of the four-year term of Barack Obama as President and Joseph R. Biden as Vice President. Based on the combined attendance numbers, television viewership and Internet traffic, it was among the most observed events ever by the global audience.

BOOK: The Obamas in the White House. A Great Holiday Gift Idea...

The Obamas are a quintessential American success story. Barack Obama and his wife Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama defied great odds to become the nation's first African-American president and First Lady. From the moment they settled into the White House on January 20, 2009, with their daughters Malia and Sasha, the first couple has moved the nation and world with their commitment to excellence and to each other.

ESSENCE has provided readers with detailed coverage of their first extraordinary year in the White House. The President, the First Lady and members of the Obama administration met our nation's political, economic and social challenges with admirable grace that continues to inspire many Americans.

This book combines rare images with pivotal speeches in a lavish time capsule of a defining moment in the American narrative. Click below to order your copy today!

The Obamas in the White House: Reflections on Family, Faith and Leadership

Obamas Celebrate Christmas at the National Building Museum...

The president, first lady, Sasha, Malia and First Granny stepped out for another holiday soiree on Sunday night, the annual Christmas in Washington presentation at the National Building Museum. A very pregnant Mariah Carey performed, along with Andrea Bocelli and Annie Lennox.

President Barack Obama watches a performance with first lady Michelle Obama (wearing vintage Norman Norell) and their daughters Malia and Sasha during the Christmas in Washington Celebration at the National Building Museum in Washington December 12, 2010.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama posed for a group photo with children dressed as Christmas elves at a Christmas In Washington celebration December 12, 2010 at the Building Museum in Washington, DC. Obama's daughters Malia and Sasha are at and Michelle Obama's mother Marian Robinson is at.

TNT will air "Christmas in Washington" at 8pm EST on Sunday, December 20.
[photos via Reuters and Getty Images]

2010: Obamas Light the White House Christmas Tree...

President Barack Obama, joined by his family including First Lady Michelle Obama, daughters Sasha and Malia, and mother-in-law Marian Robinson, reacted as they push a button to light the National Christmas Tree during a ceremony on the Ellipse near the White House in Washington, DC, December 9, 2010.

President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha looked up during the National Christmas Tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse in Washington December 9, 2010.

First lady Michelle O. wearing a Narciso Rodriguez coat.[photos via Getty Images and Reuters]