Barack Obama's campaign trail has been frequently heralded as the modern day equivalent to John F Kennedy's – an individual young man with a dream of changing America for the better who just happens to be graced with a winning smile and warming personality.

Obama became America's first black president, literally making history before he even entered the White House. The race between Obama and rival Republican candidate John McCain divided America between race, age, past and future promises making for a neck and neck rivalry that inspired more people to vote than ever before.