The US President has made a spirited defence of his economic policies, saying the actions his administration had taken in its first six months had helped stop an economic freefall.
Speaking in Virginia, Mr Obama also said the US is seeing what he described as the ‘very beginnings’ of the end of the economic recession'.
He also welcomed the Senate confirmation of his nominee to the US Supreme Court, Judge Sonia Sotomayor.
She becomes the first Hispanic justice and the third woman to serve on the court.
Mr Obama said it was an historic day for America.
