Barack Obama now has his own day written into law (POLL)

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Former US President Barack Obama © Kamil Krzaczynski / Reuters

Barack Obama, the former US President and darling of many, celebrated his 56th birthday Friday. Amid the outpouring of online adulation, and from many in the press, lawmakers in his home state of Illinois has declared August 4 in his honor.

Obama joins a select list of former presidents to have a day in their honour, adding his name to the illustrious list of the likes of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Albeit only in Illinois, the state in which he began his political career in 1997.

Though it won’t be an official state holiday, one in which many people get a day off, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed the law to honor Obama Friday. Rauner noted the 44th president’s efforts in building “bridges across communities” and “protecting Americans’ rights”, without going into details of the methods used, such as spying on everything they’re doing.

Obama Appreciation Day will come into effect next year, with the new law drawing the overwhelming support of the Illinois Senate. Whether it will be as wildly popular as George W’s ‘Jesus Day’, celebrated in Texas on June 10, 2000 remains to be seen.