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When Barack Obama won the election in 2008 the whole world knew it was getting the first African-American to become the leader of the free world.

What we didn't realise then is that we were also getting the coolest president in history.

It is hard to imagine any president before him - even Bill Clinton who was arguably the first to be seen as the kind of guy you may want to go for a beer with - doing anything like the things that Obama has done that has wowed us on an almost weekly basis.

He's cracked jokes, he almost broke Twitter and he's been gracious and humble... everything that George W. Bush before him wasn't.

And to top it all - he's made it look so very effortless.

(Image: Getty)

It's harder still to imagine Donald Trump, Theresa May, Angela Merkel or any of his peers ever matching him in the cool stakes in the future.

Historians will likely look back and remember Obama as the perfect president for the social media age.

As his two terms - eight years - ends, Mirror Online looks back at how he became to be known as the 'cool' president.

1. He brought SexyBack

(Image: Pete Souza / White House)

Being president has its perks - like being able to invite almost any celebrity you can think of over to the White House for dinner.

But not every president could outshine their guests in a suit and tie - even the likes of slick pop superstar Justin Timberlake.

Obama can. And he did.

2. He's king of the selfies

(Image: Getty Images)

You wouldn't think - with photographers at your heels following you at every turn - that a president would need, or even want, to document what happened to him that day by taking selfies.

When Obama got David Cameron to lean in for a photo with him and Danish PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt back in December 2013 it wasn't impossible to image that the British PM had probably never heard of the word 'selfie' before.

And the world hardly seemed to bat an eye that it happened during Nelson Mandela’s memorial service in Johannesburg - proving how popular Obama has become.

3. He slow-jammed the news

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A second-term Obama delivered a more laid-back President - one who was clearly more comfortable in his own skin.

A collaboration with US comedic chat show host Jimmy Fallon and The Roots was in essence an idea that wasn't new - world leaders have collaborated with comedians before - but the manner in which the president played his part in their skit elevated him above his peers.

(Image: Getty)

“Hello, I’m President Barack Obama, and I too, would like to slow jam this news...,” Obama announced - before touting his successes in climate change and same-sex marriage as well as confronting his critics over Iran, Cuba and the Trans-Pacific partnership trade deal.

All in a song.

And the world hung on every word - enthralled.

4. He dropped the mic

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The annual White House Correspondents' Dinner is a date on the calendar to savour - when the sitting US president traditionally delivers a speech which sends himself up, as well as his administration, to a packed room of reporters.

Obama didn't disappoint in any year and there have been many memorable moments - like when in 2015 he brought along an 'anger translator' to interpret what he was really saying between the lines from over his shoulder.

(Image: YouTube / USNEWS)

But the one moment that will go down in memory - and will surely be talked about for decades to come - was how he left the stage at the final dinner this year.

After thanking the crowd for their support, Obama uttered the immortal phrase "Peace out" - as he dropped the mic and with his other hand kissed his fingers.

Over the years everyone from Eddie Murphy to Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner has tried it, and now the president himself.

5. He is social media savvy

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When Obama came to power social media was in its infancy - and 'crusty old' politicians were rarely seen grasping a mobile phone let alone any kind of online presence.

The first black US president quickly got to grips with its potential power - from Facebook to Twitter he could be seen everywhere he could find an audience he wanted to communicate with.

(Image: Getty)

At one point he even held the world record for the number of retweets - a title he eventually only lost out to Ellen Degeneres' infamous Oscar selfie, packed full of A-List Hollywood stars.

Obama took defeat graciously and with good humour - appearing on her chat show to decry her 'cheap' ploy of utilising the power of celebrity.

6. He can be very, very funny

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Saturday Night Live has welcomed onto its stage numerous politicians in its 40-year history - from Bill Clinton to Donald Trump.

But no appearance has arguably been as fascinating as Barack Obama's debut in 2007 - before he won the top job.

Back then he made a surprise appearance in a sketch where he featured as a guest at a Halloween party hosted by Hillary Clinton (played by Amy Poehler).

(Image: Getty)

Obama - who in real-life was battling Hillary for the Democratic nomination - pulled off a mask of his own likeness to reveal it was actually him underneath.

Then, when he was asked why he had come dressed as himself, Obama replied: "I'm not going to change who I am just because it's Halloween."

It was the first time the world sat up and noticed the presidential wannabe - suggesting he was the right choice for the future.

7. He is not ashamed to publicly show his love for his wife

The part that Michelle Obama - easily also the coolest First Lady in history - has played in her husband's presidency will be something that is remembered by historians of the future.

The couple regularly appear side by side, and in affectionate poses. Their relationship captured the public's attention to such an extent it has even been made into a Hollywood film.

(Image: Getty)

And the best bit of it all is that: Barack doesn't mind telling the whole world how much he loves his wife.

Like when on their 20th wedding anniversary he tweeted that she was his best friend.

8. He brushes the dirt

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Sometimes being cool is knowing when you don't have to say something.

Sometimes it can just be a certain gesture that let's the world know you mean business.

Sometimes actions speak louder than words.

Back in April 2008 - in the heat of battle for the Democratic primaries - Obama was under attack from Hillary Clinton .

(Image: YouTube / trainwreckpolitics)

But in a key turning point on the campaign trail he delivered a speech where he addressed her criticism head on.

"You've got to expect it," he began, then sighed: "You've just gotta let it..."

And then he delivered the infamous brush-brush motion made famous in Jay-Z's Dirt Off Your Shoulders video.

The crowd went wild. The hip-hop president was born.

9. He has got some lungs

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Granted he's probably not a potential contender for American Idol or X Factor in the future - but Barack Obama can hold a note.

And he knows when the time is right to break into song.

(Image: YouTube / ODN)

In January 2012 when, in the middle of a speech - realising he was in the same room as the Rev. Al Green - Obama broke out into singing his hit song 'Let's Stay Together'.

It's hard to imagine any of his predecessors, his peers or even his successor Donald Trump being so bold.

10. He's funny

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Comedy is all about timing.

But not everyone gets it right all the time. Except Obama.

Barack has a canny way of making jokes as close to the boundaries as he can - but never over it.

When he was bidding the departing White House executive pastry chef a fond farewell, he quipped that his food was so good, they must have that added "something" of the illegal variety.

(Image: YouTube / The Daily Conversation)

Or, to be specific, he said: "His pies, I don't what he does, whether he puts crack in them or..."

You can almost see Michelle tugging on his suit to make her husband stop - but Obama is clearly enjoying his moment.

11. He inhaled...

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Politicians will do anything to avoid talk of drugs when it comes to discussing their own use prior to being propelled into the spotlight.

As everyone knows, Bill Clinton famously would only admit he "didn't inhale" when it came to admitting past cannabis use in his youth.

Obama was different.

(Image: WCBS)

He not only confronted the subject head on - but admitted it in a way that made him look like someone to be appreciated not denounced.

When asked the question on live TV - sat around his peers who nervously twitched and squirmed as they made their denials - Obama replied bluntly: "I inhaled frequently... that was the point."

12. He puts his face where his mouth is

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Most senior politicians will come up with an idea and then get others to get execute and promote it.

Not Obama.

The outgoing US President believes in his policies so much he hasn't shirked from putting his face, as well as his name, to them.

Like this time when he featured in an advert - mocking himself - to promote his healthcare insurance scheme.

13. He's doesn't even have to pretend he's cool

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Everyone remembers cringing when Gordon Brown pretended to like the Arctic Monkeys.

Or when David Cameron forgot he was a fan of Aston Villa and not West Ham. And when Zac Goldsmith claimed he was a big fan of Bollywood.

(Image: Getty)

But when you got Obama onto the subject of popular culture, you always knew you were on steady ground.

The US president, a big fan of movies who has made much use of the ability to see films before they came out in the private White House cinema, knows your DC villains from your Marvel heroes. He once joked about how America was developing an Iron Man suit for him to wear.

14. He can make fun of himself

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Very few politicians can poke fun at themselves - they don't want to take the shine off their presidential swagger.

Obama's been different every step of the way.

He once took part in this spoof sketch to pretend that Steven Spielberg was making a new movie blockbuster telling his life-story - simply titled 'Obama' and starring Oscar-winner Daniel Day-Lewis.

Barack even stepped in to play the role of Daniel Day-Lewis playing himself, if that makes sense?

It's got to be seen to be believed.

15. He can throw shade

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Obama hasn't been afraid to say what everyone else is thinking - but often is too afraid to say.

The US president didn't blink when he weighed in on the subject of Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the MTV Awards.

(Image: WireImage)

"He's a jackass," he decried - and the whole world applauded, and wish they had thought to say it first.

16. He's athletic

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Obama loves all sport - even soccer.

When he telephoned US captain Tim Howard to congratulate the American team on their performance in the World Cup for instance, you couldn't have imagined that George W Bush would have even been aware it had been taking place.

He 'probably' called it 'soccerball' or something.

(Image: Getty)

But above all sports it's basketball that Barack Obama is most passionate about.

Moreover, he's not just a ringside spectator - he can even dribble the ball and score a hoop, as this video shows.

And that was on the first take.

Just. Cool.

17. He knows what to say and when to say it

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Obama has been seen as a safe pair of hands - not least because when faced with a difficult question from a dogged interviewer or a tricky politician, he has always found the right words.

His comebacks have become as legendary as his put-downs and his rebuttals.

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The US president displayed his talents when he battled to get the top job - like when he was asked, 'compared with Hillary Clinton , "with so little foreign experience, how will you cope?'

He laughed and joked with the TV interviewer: "I'm looking forward to you advising me as well..."

She took it in good humour. And the rest of the world began wallowing in Barack Obama's wit.

18. He can bust some moves

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It would be the best booking of all-time if Strictly Come Dancing or the US version Dancing With The Stars could get the president to come on their shows.

(Image: UPI / Barcroft Images)

Obama has demonstrated over the years he has dancefloor skills that make Ed Balls look like David Brent.

Although to be fair, Ed Balls helps make himself look like David Brent too.

(Image: REUTERS/Rick Wilking)

(Image: Reuters)

19. He admits when he got it wrong

It's the sign of a good man, they say, if you can admit when you got it wrong.

Obama has been quite honest - compared to the atypical politician who always believes they were right - over the errors and frustrations of his two terms; for instance his battles with Congress over healthcare.

And he's not passed the buck, but uniquely admitted when he was to blame.

(Image: Reuters)

He was asked what the biggest regret of his eight years was earlier this year, he had no doubt it has been his handling of the Libya crisis.

Obama admitted the lack of planning for the aftermath of Gaddafi’s departure left the country spiralling into chaos and under threat from violent extremists like ISIS.

George Bush Snr is yet to make a similar statement about the First Gulf War - and the only comparable statement from Bill Clinton was that he wished he had ordered the killing of Osama Bin Laden when he'd had the chance.

20. He's not afraid to take on the Queen

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Obama probably watched the opening to the London 2012 Olympics and, like the rest of the world, was in awe when the Queen "parachuted" out of a helicopter.

(Image: YouTube)

Not to be outdone, he responded last year by challenging her via YouTube to a battle of immense proportions - the US versus the UK in the Invictus Games, a paralympic-style competition in which wounded, injured and sick armed services personnel take part in sports.

"Bring it on," he told Her Majesty.

Sat next to Prince Harry, she looked only mildly amused.

Perhaps she was coolest that day...