Special commemorative bobblehead figurine featuring Barack and Michelle Obama on 2008 Election Night unveiled
It was 15 years ago this week that former President Barack Obama won the 2008 election and, alongside first lady Michelle and first daughters Sasha and Malia, took to a stage to deliver a victory speech to a massive crowd in Chicago.
To mark that historic occasion, a special limited edition commemorative bobblehead figurine of Barack and Michelle as they appeared during that particular event has been released, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Barack and Michelle on Election Night in 2008
On the evening of Nov. 4, 2008, once it had become clear that Democratic nominee Sen. Obama (D-IL) had defeated Republican nominee Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), the new president-elect and his family appeared on stage at a rally in Chicago's Grant Park that was attended by a crowd estimated to number around 250,000.
Both before and after his victory speech that night, Barack, wearing a dark suit with a red and white striped tie, and Michelle, wearing a red and black dress, stood together and waved to the gathered crowd of cheering supporters while backed by a row of American flags.
Commemorating the "momentous occasion" of Obama's election
That historic moment has now been commemorated by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum with a limited-edition figurine of the former first couple.
On this day 15 years ago, Barack Obama became the first African American to be elected President. Celebrate the historic moment when Barack and Michelle celebrated with nearly 250,000 people in Chicago with this bobblehead that just arrived. Order now at https://t.co/ZCT37eqHTP. pic.twitter.com/Jo6TNygTN4
— National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum (@BobbleheadHall) November 4, 2023
Per the Sun-Times, Phil Sklar, the co-founder and CEO of the organization, said in a statement, "The election of the nation’s first African American president was a momentous occasion, and the celebration on election night was very memorable -- both for the nearly quarter of a million people who witnessed it in person and the millions who watched from across the world."
Sklar, who was actually in attendance for that event with family members, revealed that his team at the museum reviewed "a lot of pictures" from that night in order to ensure that all of the details of the commemorative bobblehead figurine would be as accurate as possible.
"Barack Obama’s election was a historic event in the nation’s history. He and Michelle broke a lot of barriers to become the first African American to be elected president," he added. "I think this bobblehead also symbolizes his campaign of 'Hope' and 'Yes, we can' and will be something that inspires and encourages people to overcome obstacles."
Only 2,008 figurines made available
According to the Sun-Times, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum has created just 2,008 of the special commemorative Obama Election Night bobblehead figurines that are priced at $40 each plus shipping.
Those will undoubtedly sell out fast, but at least one will be retained by the organization and put on display with other Obama bobbleheads at the museum that is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Of the more than 10,000 different bobbleheads at the museum, there is at least one to represent each of the nation's 46 presidents, according to Sklar, and up until he was eclipsed by former President Donald Trump in recent years, Obama previously held the museum's record for the most presidential bobbleheads.
However, this special new one featuring both Barack and Michelle is said to be the first of its kind to display a first couple together.