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). Prior to that, he represented Tennessee in both the House of Representatives (1977-1985) and the Senate (1985-1993). As the Democratic nominee in the 2000 presidential election, he lost to George W. Bush despite winning the popular vote. He is also a businessman and environmentalist.

Sections (7)

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

1947: Television Impact on Presidency

Al Gore's senior thesis, graded A, at Harvard was titled "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 in Washington, D.C.

Others born on this day/year

1956: Attended St. Albans School

In 1956, Al Gore began attending St. Albans School in Washington, D.C.

1965: Enrolled in Harvard College

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

1965: Graduated St. Albans School

In 1965, Al Gore graduated from St. Albans School and was accepted into Harvard University.

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 during the violent protests.

June 1969: Graduated from Harvard

In June 1969, Al Gore graduated from Harvard with an A.B. cum laude.

August 1969: Enlisted in Army

In August 1969, Al Gore enlisted in the Army and returned to Harvard in his military uniform, where he was "jeered" at by students.

1969: Military Draft

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

April 1970: Soldier of the Month

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

May 19, 1970: Marriage to Tipper Aitcheson

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

1970: 1970 Senate Election

Al Gore was finally shipped to Vietnam on January 2, 1971, after his father had lost his seat in the Senate during the 1970 Senate election.

January 2, 1971: Shipped to Vietnam

On January 2, 1971, Al Gore was shipped to Vietnam after his father had lost his seat in the Senate during the 1970 Senate election.

May 1971: Honorable Discharge

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

1971: Divinity School

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

1973: Birth of Karenna Gore

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

Others born on this day/year

1974: Law School

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

1976: Decided to Run for U.S. House

In 1976, Al Gore decided to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives after learning that his father's former seat was about to be vacated, subsequently not completing law school.

1976: Ran for Representative

In 1976, Al Gore quit law school to run as a representative for Tennessee's 4th congressional district.

1977: Birth of Kristin Carlson Gore

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

Others born on this day/year

1977: Attended Mount Vernon Baptist Church

In 1977, when Al Gore moved to Arlington County, Virginia, he attended the Mount Vernon Baptist Church.

1979: Birth of Sarah LaFon Gore

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

Others born on this day/year

1980: Baptism and Church Membership

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

1981: Remarks on Homosexuality

In 1981, Al Gore stated, "I think it is wrong" with regard to homosexuality and added, "I don't pretend to understand it, but it is not just another normal optional life style."

1982: Birth of Albert Arnold Gore III

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

Others born on this day/year

1984: Senate Race Remarks on Homosexuality

During his 1984 Senate race, Al Gore stated, "I do not believe it is simply an acceptable alternative that society should affirm," when discussing homosexuality, and that he would not take campaign funds from gay rights groups.

1984: Sister's Death

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

April 3, 1989: Albert Gore Accident

On April 3, 1989, Al Gore's six-year-old son, Albert, was hit by a car after running across the street. Albert was severely injured. This event was "a trauma so shattering that [Gore] views it as a moment of personal rebirth", a "key moment in his life" which "changed everything".

August 1991: Decision Not to Run for President

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 responsibility to his children.

December 13, 2000: Gore Concedes the 2000 Presidential 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. Gore stated that he offered his concession for the sake of unity and the strength of democracy.

2000: Shift in Political Positions

Al Gore's position as a moderate, and on policies related to that label, shifted later in life after he became Vice President and ran for president in 2000.

2000: Appearance on 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 the line: "Remember, America, I gave you the Internet, and I can take it away!"

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2000: Gore's Unsuccessful presidential bid

In 2000, Al Gore had an unsuccessful presidential bid.

2000: Campaign Chairwoman

In 2000, Donna Brazile was Gore's campaign chairwoman.

December 2002: Consideration and decision not to run in 2004

In December 2002, Al Gore seriously considered challenging George W. Bush in 2004. However, the September 11 attacks and Bush's subsequent rise in popularity were strong factors in Gore's decision not to run again in 2004.

December 16, 2002: Announcement of not running in 2004 presidential election

On December 16, 2002, Al Gore announced that he would not run in the 2004 U.S. presidential election. This decision was influenced by the September 11 attacks and the subsequent rise in President Bush's popularity.

December 2003: Endorsement of Howard Dean for president

In December 2003, Al Gore endorsed Vermont governor Howard Dean for the 2004 U.S. presidential election. This decision was criticized by other Democratic contenders, particularly because Gore did not endorse his former running mate, Joe Lieberman.

March 2004: Endorsement of John Kerry and donation of funds

In March 2004, Al Gore endorsed John Kerry for president and gave Kerry $6 million in funds left over from his own unsuccessful 2000 bid.

2004: Supporters' draft campaign

Despite Al Gore taking himself out of the race, a handful of his supporters formed a national campaign to draft him into running in 2004, though this movement failed to convince Gore to run.

2004: Left Southern Baptist Convention

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

2005: Evacuation of patients from Charity Hospital in New Orleans

In 2005, after being contacted by Dr. David Kline of Charity Hospital, Al Gore arranged for the evacuation of 270 patients from Charity Hospital in New Orleans to Tennessee following Hurricane Katrina. The evacuation took place on September 3 and 4, 2005 and was facilitated by two airlines and medically staffed by volunteers. Gore personally committed financially to the effort and used his influence to expedite landing rights.

2006: Increased popularity after 'An Inconvenient Truth'

From 2006, the prospect of a Gore candidacy arose, due in part to his increased popularity after the release of the 2006 documentary, An Inconvenient Truth.

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2008: Speculation of presidential candidacy during the Oscars

Between 2006 and early 2008, speculation arose about a possible Gore candidacy in light of the upcoming 2008 presidential election, increasing after "An Inconvenient Truth" won the Academy Award for Best Documentary. During the 79th Academy Awards ceremony, Gore and actor Leonardo DiCaprio shared the stage to speak about the "greening" of the ceremony and Gore hinted at a presidential run before being drowned out by music in a rehearsed gag.

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2008: Shift in Position on Gay Rights

In 2008, Al Gore stated that he thinks "gay men and women ought to have the same rights as heterosexual men and women...to join together in marriage."

2008: Keynote Speaker at New Baptist Covenant Convention

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

August 2009: Reunion with Bill Clinton

In August 2009, Bill Clinton and Al Gore reunited publicly after maintaining a distance for eight years. Clinton had arranged the release of two female journalists, employees of Gore's Current TV, who were held hostage in North Korea.

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June 2010: Gores Announce Separation

In June 2010, Al and Tipper Gore announced in an e-mail to friends that after long and careful consideration, they had made a mutual decision to separate.

2010: Attended WE Day in Vancouver, Canada

In 2010, Al Gore attended WE Day in Vancouver, Canada, a WE Charity event.

May 2012: Gore Dating Elizabeth Keadle

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

2013: Gore Becomes Vegan

In 2013, Al Gore became a vegan, possibly related to his environmentalist stance.

2014: Speculation about 2016 presidential election

In 2014, interest arose about Al Gore running for the 2016 presidential election, although he did not declare any intention to do so.

2014: Gore Discusses His Vegan Diet

In a 2014 interview, Al Gore said he changed his diet to a vegan diet over a year ago to experiment, felt better, and is likely to continue it for the rest of his life.

2015: Continued speculation about 2016 presidential election

In 2015, speculation continued about Al Gore running for the 2016 presidential election, although he did not declare any intention to do so.

2016: Presidential election year with no Gore candidacy

In 2016, despite prior speculation, Al Gore did not declare any intention to run in the presidential election.

May 2018: Member of Indian Government committee

In May 2018, Al Gore was included as a member of the Indian Government committee to coordinate year-long celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary.

October 2, 2019: 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

On October 2, 2019, Al Gore was a member of the Indian Government committee that coordinated the year-long celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary.