Childhood and Education Journey of Al Gore in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Al Gore. From birth to education, explore key events.

Al Gore served as the 45th U.S. Vice President under Bill Clinton (1993-2001). Before that, he represented Tennessee in both the House (1977-1985) and the Senate (1985-1993). He was the Democratic presidential nominee in 2000, losing to George W. Bush in a highly contested election despite winning the popular vote. Beyond his political career, Gore is a businessman and is known as a prominent environmental activist, advocating for climate change awareness and solutions.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1947: Referenced in Gore's thesis

The year 1947 is referenced in Al Gore's thesis, "The Impact of Television on the Conduct of the Presidency, 1947–1969".

March 31, 1948: Birth of Al Gore Jr.

On March 31, 1948, Albert Arnold Gore Jr. was born. He later became a politician, businessman, environmentalist, and the 45th Vice President of the United States.

Others born on this day/year

1956: Attended St. Albans School

From 1956, Al Gore attended St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., a college preparatory school.

1965: Enrolled in Harvard College

In 1965, Al Gore enrolled in Harvard College, initially planning to major in English before deciding on government. He was elected president of the freshman student government council.

1965: Graduated St. Albans School

In 1965, Al Gore graduated from St. Albans School, where he was the captain of the football team and participated in other activities.

1965: Met Tipper Aitcheson

In 1965, Al Gore met Mary Elizabeth "Tipper" Aitcheson at his St. Albans senior prom. She was from the nearby St. Agnes School.

1968: Anti-War Address

In 1968, Al Gore helped his father write an anti-war address to the Democratic National Convention but stayed with his parents in their hotel room during the violent protests.

June 1969: Graduation from Harvard

In June 1969, Al Gore graduated from Harvard with an A.B. cum laude. He earned an A on his thesis, "The Impact of Television on the Conduct of the Presidency, 1947–1969".

August 1969: Enlistment and Harvard Visit

In August 1969, after enlisting, Al Gore returned to Harvard in his military uniform to say goodbye to his advisor, where he faced negative reactions from students.

1969: Draft Eligibility

In 1969, Al Gore became eligible for the military draft upon graduating college.

April 1970: Soldier of the Month

In April 1970, Al Gore was named Rucker's "Soldier of the Month" while assigned to Fort Rucker, Alabama.

May 19, 1970: Married Tipper Aitcheson

On May 19, 1970, Al Gore married Mary Elizabeth "Tipper" Aitcheson at the Washington National Cathedral.

1970: Father's Re-election

In 1970, Al Gore's father faced re-election, and Gore decided that enlisting in the Army would be the best course.

January 2, 1971: Shipped to Vietnam

On January 2, 1971, Al Gore was shipped to Vietnam after his father lost his Senate seat. He was stationed with the 20th Engineer Brigade in Biên Hòa and worked as a journalist with The Castle Courier.

May 1971: Honorable Discharge

In May 1971, Al Gore received an honorable discharge from the Army.

1971: Attended Divinity School

In 1971, Al Gore attended Vanderbilt University Divinity School on a Rockefeller Foundation scholarship, exploring spiritual issues.

1973: Karenna Gore was born

In 1973, Karenna Gore, Al Gore's daughter, was born.

1974: Attended Law School

In 1974, Al Gore took a leave of absence from The Tennessean to attend Vanderbilt University Law School.

1977: Kristin Carlson Gore was born

In 1977, Kristin Carlson Gore, Al Gore's daughter, was born.

1977: Attended Mount Vernon Baptist Church

In 1977, after moving to Arlington County, Virginia, Al Gore attended the Mount Vernon Baptist Church.

1979: Sarah LaFon Gore was born

In 1979, Sarah LaFon Gore, Al Gore's daughter, was born.

1980: Baptized and became member of the church

In 1980, Al Gore and his wife were baptized and became members of the Mount Vernon Baptist Church.

1982: Albert Arnold Gore III was born

In 1982, Albert Arnold Gore III, Al Gore's son, was born.

1984: Death of Nancy LaFon Gore

In 1984, Al Gore's older sister, Nancy LaFon Gore, died of lung cancer.

April 3, 1989: Son's Accident

On April 3, 1989, Al Gore's six-year-old son, Albert, was hit by a car, causing severe injuries. This traumatic event deeply impacted Gore and his family, leading to what he described as a personal rebirth.

August 1991: Decision Not to Run for President in 1992

In August 1991, Al Gore announced that his son's accident was a factor in his decision not to run for president in 1992, citing his responsibilities as a father. During this time, Gore wrote Earth in the Balance.

Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit

Check it on Amazon

1992: Not running for President

Due to his son's accident, Al Gore decided to not run for president in 1992. Instead, he focused on his family and wrote Earth in the Balance.

December 13, 2000: Gore Concedes 2000 Election

On December 13, 2000, Al Gore conceded the election to George W. Bush, despite disagreeing with the Supreme Court's decision to halt the Florida recount. In his concession speech, Gore stated that he offered his concession "for the sake of our unity as a people and the strength of our democracy."

2000: Reference to Chairwoman from 2000 Campaign

Donna Brazile, Gore's campaign chairwoman from his 2000 campaign, speculated that Gore might announce a presidential candidacy during the Oscars ceremony.

2000: Gore on the Late Show with David Letterman

In 2000, Al Gore appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman and read Letterman's Top 10 List of Rejected Gore-Lieberman Campaign Slogans, which included a joke about the Internet.

December 2002: Gore's Decision Not to Run in 2004

In December 2002, Al Gore made the decision not to challenge Bush in the 2004 presidential election. The September 11 attacks and the subsequent rise in President Bush's popularity were strong factors in Gore's decision.

December 16, 2002: Gore Announces He Will Not Run in 2004

On December 16, 2002, Al Gore announced that he would not be a candidate in the 2004 presidential election.

2004: Failed Draft Campaign for Gore in 2004 Election

Despite Al Gore's announcement that he wouldn't run, a handful of supporters launched a national campaign to draft him into running. This movement failed to convince Gore to run in the 2004 election.

2004: Left the Southern Baptist Convention

In 2004, Al Gore announced he had left the Southern Baptist Convention, but remained a Baptist.

2005: Gore's Webby Awards acceptance speech

In 2005, Al Gore was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Webby Awards and joked about the 2000 election recount in his acceptance speech. He was introduced by Vint Cerf.

2005: Gore Aids Evacuation of Patients from New Orleans Hospital

In September of 2005, Al Gore aided in the evacuation of 270 patients from Charity Hospital in New Orleans to Tennessee, following Hurricane Katrina. Contacted by Dr. David Kline, Gore, through Greg Simon of FasterCures, arranged for two airlines to provide planes for the evacuation with volunteer airline crews and medical staff. Gore used his political influence to expedite landing rights in New Orleans.

2006: Prospect of Gore Candidacy Arises for 2008 Election

Between 2006 and early 2008, speculation arose regarding a potential Gore candidacy for the upcoming 2008 presidential election due to his increased popularity after the release of the documentary "An Inconvenient Truth."

Loading Video...

2008: Gore Addresses Presidential Run Speculation at Academy Awards

During the 79th Academy Awards ceremony in 2008, Al Gore and Leonardo DiCaprio shared the stage to speak about the "greening" of the event. Gore began a speech that seemed to lead to a presidential candidacy announcement, but background music drowned him out, implying it was a gag. He later acknowledged that to be the case.

2008: Keynote Speaker at New Baptist Covenant Convention

In 2008, Al Gore was a keynote speaker at the New Baptist Covenant convention.

June 2010: Separation from Tipper Gore Announced

In June 2010, Al and Tipper Gore announced their mutual decision to separate after "long and careful consideration".

2010: Attended WE Day in Vancouver, Canada

In 2010, Al Gore attended WE Day in Vancouver, Canada, which is a WE Charity event focused on empowering young people to create change.

May 2012: Started dating Elizabeth Keadle

In May 2012, it was reported that Al Gore had started dating Elizabeth Keadle of Rancho Santa Fe, California.

2013: Became a Vegan

In 2013, Al Gore adopted a vegan diet. He had previously acknowledged the impact of meat consumption on the global climate crisis. He cited that his diet change was motivated by environmental concerns and personal health.

2014: Continued vegan diet for health and environmental reasons

In 2014, Al Gore confirmed in an interview that he had maintained a vegan diet for over a year, citing improvements in his health and his commitment to environmentalism as reasons for continuing the diet.