US President Barack Obama accepts Nobel Peace Prize

October 9, 11:41 AMCable TV ExaminerChristine Nyholm

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United States President Barack Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on October 9, just eight months into his presidency, according to a report on CNN. President Obama has joined the ranks of U.S. Presidents who have won the Nobel Peace Prize, including Jimmy Carter, Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt. Obama made a statement from the Rose Garden about winning the Nobel Peace Price , which was televised live on CNN TV.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee stated that Obama was honored for his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.'

The Nobel Committee decision was surprising, as Obama's name had not been mentioned as among the front runners. The Nobel Committee stated that Obama was recognized for his efforts to solve complex global problems, including working toward a world free of nuclear weapons.

"Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future," according to a statement by the Nobel Committee.

Critics have speculated that the award is premature. Obama is the first U.S. President in history to be recognized with the hone so early in his presidency.

Barack Obama is the fourth U.S. President to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Former President Jimmy Carter received the award in 2002, over 20 years after his presidency ended,. President Woodrow Wilson received the award in 1919 . President Theodore Roosevelt received the award in 1906.

Barack Obama personalized his televised statement by saying that he had been awoken by to learn that he had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize,  His daughter Malie then informed his  that it was pet dog Bo's birthday. Daughter Sasha then noted that the Obama family had a three day weekend coming up.

Obama stated that he was surprised and humbled at being awarded the Nobel Peace Price. He stated that he did not feel he deserved to stand in the company of the winners that he had long admired and who had inspired him.

Obama said that he accepted the award as a call to action, mentioning nuclear arms, energy resources and quality of life issues of people around the world. Obama stated that no one person or one nation call solve the problems that face the world today.

The historic moment was televised around the nation live on CNN, so that Americans could participate in the moment and hear the president's reaction in his own wods.

  AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

(AP Photo / Jon-Michael Josefsen, Scanpix)

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