As Barack Obama turns 56, here are interesting facts you might not know about him

The first African American President of United States Barack Obama was born on 1961. Here are some interesting facts about the magnificent orator on his birthday.

The first African American President of United States Barack Obama was born in 1961. Here are some interesting facts about the magnificent orator on his birthday. (Photo | AP) 

Obama is an ardent reader of Harry Potter series but his favourites are Herman Melville's Moby Dick and Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon. (Photo | AP)

What about his name Barack? It's 'The Blessed' in Swahili. At least Americans are realizing it now. (Photo | AP)

Isn't it strange that a Kenyan popular beer called 'Senator Keg' is dedicated to him. (Photo | AP)

Barack Obama, a smoker? Hard to believe but it is true. Obama had a habit of smoking which he stopped in 2010. (Photo | AP)

A passionate basketball player! Don't you know he has a nickname 'Barry O’Bomber' because of his jump shot. Obama was not a star player but he was definitely a team player. (Photo | AP)

Obama has written several books and has also received a Grammy award for Best Spoken Word Album for his autobiography “Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance'. (Photo | Penguin Random House)

It is said that Obama is related to actor Brad Pitt and he is also a distant cousin of former Vice-President Dick Cheney. (Photo | AP)