Happy Sweet 16, Malia Obama! A look back at the First Daughter's year as she celebrates her milestone birthday

As the rest of America rings in Independence Day, the Obama family have yet another reason to celebrate: Malia Obama's sweet 16th birthday.
The First Daughter, who has recently been in California doing a TV production internship, was just ten years old when her father was first elected President of the United States.
And over the past six years, the country has witnessed her grow up into a tall, stylish and mature teen, giving her parents plenty of reasons to be proud.

Sweet Sixteen: As the rest of America rings in Independence Day, the Obama family have yet another reason to celebrate: Malia Obama's sweet 16th birthday (pictured with her father in October 2013)

Before our very eyes: Over the past six years, the country has witnessed Malia (pictured on April 20) grow up into a tall, stylish and mature teen, giving her parents plenty of reasons to be proud

The Obamas will be ringing in the holiday tonight with a Pitbull concert on the South Lawn of the White House, with an exclusive guest list that includes military heroes and their families.
Malia has had quite the year of firsts, from getting her driver's license to going to prom and starting to think about college.

And as she's gotten older, she has been given more and more independence. Last month, for instance, she spent a week working as a runner on the set of Extant, a sci-fi series being produced by Steven Spielberg.

According to sources on set, Malia received no special treatment and carried out the kinds of menial tasks that anyone who wants to make it behind the cameras in Hollywood has to endure.

Party time: The Obamas will be ringing in Fourth of July with a Pitbull concert on the South Lawn of the White House tonight, with military heroes and their families (Pictured: Sasha, Malia and Michelle in Beijing in March)

Important trips: Malia (far right) has spent much of the year traveling with her family, including a high-profile trip to China with her younger sister and their mother and grandmother

TV veteran and star Camryn Manheim confirmed that Malia had been onset, and she had nothing but glowing things to say about her.
'I can tell you that [Malia] is graceful, and lovely, and just charming and delightful… She's pretty remarkable. I mean, they are a remarkable family,' she told ET.
'When you get hoisted into the spotlight like that, and you grow up under the scrutiny of everybody, and to come out being so charming and in charge of herself, with so much poise, it's beautiful. Any parent would look at her and be proud.'

Bonding time: Malia (left) grinned as Michelle gave her and Sasha a warm hug during their six-day tour of China, pictured here in Xi'an, China, on March 24

Fashion forward: The tall teen revealed her keen eye for style throughout the trip (pictured arriving in Beijing in a brown top and silver pleated skirt)

The President has recently revealed that he would like his daughters to experience a minimum wage job, so that they understand what 'most folks go through every single day.'
He said in a June interview with Slate magazine: 'We are looking for opportunities for them to feel as if going to work and getting a paycheck is not always fun, not always stimulating, not always fair.'
Michelle agreed with her husband, saying: 'I think every kid needs to get a taste of what it's like to do that real hard work.'
Malia has spent much of the year traveling with her family, including a high-profile trip to China with her younger sister Sasha, 13, and their mother and grandmother.

Happy Holidays: Malia tends to stay out of the spotlight, except for official events - like a Christmas celebration benefiting the Children's National Health System in Washington on December 15 (pictured)

Spending time together: The First Daughters pictured walking across the South Lawn of the White House with their father on January 5, 2014, after arriving home from a two-week holiday in Hawaii

Charitable cause: In January, Malia took part in a community service project in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr Day at DC Central Kitchen, where she made burritos with her mother

The ladies of the First Family were seen arriving in Beijing on March 20th for the six-day tour, with Malia showing off her fashion sense in a brown top and silver pleated skirt.
She continued to reveal her keen eye for style throughout the trip, striking a pose alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan in a red and blue printed crop dress.
For the most part, though, Malia stays out of the spotlight, in keeping with her famous family's wishes.
But she is sometimes pictured attending certain events - like a Christmas celebration benefiting the Children's National Health System in Washington on December 15.

Daddy's girl: Malia, pictured with her father in September 2012, has a good relationship with her parents

Proud father: She held hands with her dad as they arrived in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, during a July 2013 trip

Poignant: Malia (left) and Sasha visited the Berlin Wall memorial on June 19, 2013

The cheerful teen wore all winter white for the occasion, grinning with her parents and sister as they posed alongside a group of children dressed as Santa's elves.
And in January, she took part in a community service project in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr Day at DC Central Kitchen, where she made burritos with her mother and Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to the President.
One thing that has been on the minds of Michelle and Barack Obama recently is the fact that their oldest daughter is finally of age to start driving.
'One child is going to be driving this summer,' the First Lady said in a press interview in May, jokingly adding: 'Look out.'

Silly sense of humor: Michelle and Sasha were in fits of giggles as Malia made funny faces for the cameras during a special performance of Riverdance in Dublin on June 17, 2013

Cheeky: Malia crashes sister Sasha's picture after the pair made their parents kiss for the camera last year

When Chelsea Clinton rang in her 16th birthday in the White House in 1996, three different radio stations attempted to gift her with brand new cars, all of which her parents politely declined.
As of yet, it doesn't seem that Malia has been offered any such present.
Still, not every girl gets to watch fireworks on her birthday, something Malia has likely gotten used to by now.
When she was little, however, the extravagant celebration felt somewhat more personal. 'When she was young, I used to say that all these fireworks were for her,' Obama revealed on her 11th birthday in 2009. 'I'm not sure she buys that now.'

Perfectly behaved: Malia (center) with Sasha and Michelle ahead of President Obama's swearing-in ceremonies on the West front of the U.S Capitol in Washington, in January 2013

Special moment: Barack Obama embraces Malia after giving his victory speech during an election night gathering in Grant Park on November 4, 2008 in Chicago

Last year was equally jam-packed with activity for the teenager, who joined her family on trips to South Africa, Tanzania, Dublin and Berlin.
Despite her family's busy schedule, however, she still makes plenty of time for normal teenage fun - fun that her father has joked causes him more worry than his responsibilities as President.
Mrs Obama told GMA's Robin Roberts last February: 'There's nothing like the look on his face when Malia dresses up for a party, and she's heading out.

Birthdays through the years: Malia with her family on her 11th birthday on July 4, 2009. 'When she was young, I used to say that all these fireworks were for her,' Obama revealed at the time. 'I'm not sure she buys that now'

Watching the parade! The family celebrate Malia's 10th birthday in Butte, Montana in 2008

'She walks past him, and you can see his face sort of just drop a little bit,' she said, adding lightheartedly: 'He's a little grey. People think the grey is from his job. It's from his children.'
And indeed the President hinted at the same sentiment during a school visit in Decatur, Georgia, ahead of Valentine's Day 2013.

He said: 'I do have to warn the parents who are here, who still have young kids, they grow up to be, like 5ft 10in. . . They basically don't have a lot of time for you during the weekends. They have sleepovers and dates.'

ALL GROWN UP! MALIA THROUGH THE YEARS . . .

Stylist-in-chief: Malia affectionately smooths her mother's bangs during the 2013 White House Easter Egg Roll

Support act: Malia with her father as he prepares to give his victory speech on election night in November 2013 (left) and a couple of weeks later with her mother in Washington DC (right)

Outgrowing dad: Nearly as tall as her father, Malia walks to Air Force One in Cape Cod on August 29, 2010 (left), and a year prior Malia leaves an ice cream parlor in Rome with a bodyguard in July, 2009 (right)

Difference: Malia (right) and her sister Sasha (left) in January 2009 at a parade for their father's inauguration

Growing up in the spotlight: Malia aged ten, enjoying her first taste of fame as she celebrates her father's victory in the 2008 Presidential Election at Grant Park in Chicago, Illinois

Skater girl: Malia roller-skates with Barack Obama in Indiana during the election campaign on May 3, 2008 (left), just a year after hanging out in New Hampshire on May 28, 2007 (right) with her then senator dad

Family fun: Malia at age eight in Disneyland, with Sasha, 5, and Michelle Obama (left), and then in a quick family portrait on January 4, 2005 (right)

Six going on 16: Malia at age six with Barack Obama in November 2, 2004 (left) and in the beginning at age 18months (right) in Chicago on primary day, March 21, 2000 with her parents

DM