History of Al Gore in Timeline

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Al Gore

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.

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

1953: Reference to Congressional Seat Succession

In 1953, Joe L. Evins succeeded Albert Gore Sr. for Tennessee's 4th congressional district seat, prior to Evins' retirement in 1976 when Al Gore decided to run for the seat.

1956: Reference to National Interstate and Defense Highways Act

A reference was made to the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act of 1956, which Al Gore's father introduced as a military bill.

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.

1969: ARPANET Deployed

In 1969, the ARPANET (the predecessor of the Internet) was deployed by Leonard Kleinrock and others. Senator Gore would eventually craft the High Performance Computing Act of 1991 after hearing the 1988 report Toward a National Research Network.

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.

1971: Investigative Reporter

In 1971, Al Gore began working the night shift for The Tennessean as an investigative reporter. His investigations led to the arrest and prosecution of two councilmen.

1972: Apollo 17 Mission

In 1972, the Apollo 17 mission captured The Blue Marble photo. In 1998, Al Gore would begin promoting a NASA satellite that would provide a constant view of the Earth, marking the first time such an image would have been made since The Blue Marble photo.

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.

February 1976: Announcement of Retirement

At the end of February in 1976, U.S. Representative Joe L. Evins unexpectedly announced his retirement from Congress, prompting Al Gore to run for the House of Representatives.

1976: Run for House Seat

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

1976: Won Democratic Primary

In 1976, Al Gore won the Democratic primary for Tennessee's 4th congressional district.

1976: Gore's Early Involvement with Environmental Issues

In 1976, as a freshman congressman, Al Gore held the "first congressional hearings on climate change, and co-sponsored hearings on toxic waste and global warming", indicating his early involvement with environmental issues.

1977: U.S. Representative from Tennessee

In 1977, Al Gore became a U.S. Representative from Tennessee, marking the beginning of his 24 years as an elected official.

1977: Became Member of U.S. House of Representatives

In 1977, Al Gore became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Tennessee.

1977: Served in U.S. House of Representatives

In 1977, Al Gore began serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, a position he held until 1985.

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.

1978: Won Re-election

In 1978, Al Gore won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

1978: Gore and Gingrich part of a "futures group"

Starting in 1978, Al Gore and Newt Gingrich were both part of a "futures group" in Congress.

March 19, 1979: First Member of Congress on C-SPAN

On March 19, 1979, Al Gore became the first member of Congress to appear on C-SPAN, marking an early instance of his engagement with technology and communication.

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.

1980: Won Re-election

In 1980, Al Gore won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

1981: Comments on Homosexuality

In 1981, Al Gore made comments stating that homosexuality was "wrong" and "not just another normal optional life style."

1982: Introduction of the Gore Plan for Arms Control

In 1982, Al Gore introduced the Gore Plan for arms control, aiming to reduce the chances of a nuclear first strike by cutting multiple warheads and deploying single-warhead mobile launchers.

1982: Won Re-election

In 1982, Al Gore won re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.

1982: Albert Arnold Gore III was born

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

1983: Promotion of High-Speed Telecommunications

In 1983, Al Gore promoted the idea of high-speed telecommunications as an engine for economic growth and educational improvement. He provided intellectual leadership in creating the vision of the potential benefits of high speed computing and communication.

1984: Elected to U.S. Senate

In 1984, Al Gore successfully ran for a seat in the U.S. Senate, succeeding Howard Baker.

1984: Death of Nancy LaFon Gore

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

1984: Position on Homosexuality

In his 1984 Senate race, Al Gore stated that he did not believe homosexuality was "simply an acceptable alternative that society should affirm" and that he would not take campaign funds from gay rights groups.

1985: Became U.S. Senator

In 1985, Al Gore became a United States Senator representing Tennessee.

1985: U.S. Senator for Tennessee

In 1985, Al Gore served as a U.S. Senator for the state of Tennessee, continuing his career as an elected official.

1986: Introduction of Supercomputer Network Study Act

In 1986, Al Gore introduced the Supercomputer Network Study Act and sponsored hearings on using advanced technologies to coordinate government responses to natural disasters and other crises.

1987: Civil Rights Restoration Act

In 1987, the Civil Rights Restoration Act was up for vote. Al Gore did not initially vote on the Act in January 1988, but later voted to override President Reagan's veto.

January 1988: Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 Vote

In January 1988, Al Gore initially did not vote on the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987. He would later vote to override President Reagan's veto the following March.

1988: Super Tuesday and Campaign Struggles

In 1988, Al Gore faced challenges during Super Tuesday, where the Southern vote was split, and he was later negatively impacted by endorsements and statements made by New York City Mayor Ed Koch. He eventually dropped out of the race.

1988: Presidential Nomination Attempt

In 1988, Al Gore sought the Democratic Party's nomination for President of the United States but finished third overall, carrying seven states in the primaries. Michael Dukakis eventually won the nomination.

1988: Heard Report Toward a National Research Network

In 1988, Senator Gore heard the report Toward a National Research Network, submitted to Congress by Leonard Kleinrock. This report led him to begin crafting the High Performance Computing Act of 1991.

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.

1990: Last Time Democrats Won Senate Election in Tennessee

As of 2025, Al Gore's 1990 re-election remains the last time Democrats won a Senate election in Tennessee.

1990: Global Marshall Plan Conference

In 1990, Al Gore, then a Senator, presided over a three-day conference with legislators from over 42 countries. The aim of the conference was to create a Global Marshall Plan, under which industrial nations would help less developed countries grow economically while also protecting the environment.

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
Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit

December 9, 1991: Passage of High Performance Computing Act

On December 9, 1991, the High Performance Computing Act, also known as "The Gore Bill," was passed, leading to the creation of the National Information Infrastructure (NII), which Al Gore referred to as the "information superhighway."

1991: Support for the Gulf War

In 1991, Al Gore was one of ten Democrats who supported the Gulf War.

1991: Gore Votes in Favor of Persian Gulf War Resolution

In 1991, Al Gore, then a United States Senator, was among the Democrats who voted in favor of the resolution endorsing the Persian Gulf War.

July 17, 1992: Nomination at Democratic National Convention

On July 17, 1992, Bill Clinton and Al Gore accepted the nomination at the Democratic National Convention. Dubbed the Baby Boomer Ticket, they were noted as the youngest team to run for the White House in the country's history, with Gore calling it "a new generation of leadership".

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.

1992: Acceptance of Vice Presidential Nomination

In 1992, Al Gore accepted Bill Clinton's offer to be his running mate for the United States presidential election after initially hesitating. Clinton cited Gore's foreign policy experience, environmental work, and commitment to family as reasons for his choice.

1992: Defeat of Incumbents Bush and Quayle

In 1992, Al Gore and Bill Clinton defeated incumbents George H. W. Bush and Dan Quayle.

1992: Gore speaks on the Gulf War

In 1992, Al Gore gave a speech on the Gulf War. Gore stated that he twice attempted to get the U.S. government to pull support to Saddam Hussein, citing Hussein's use of poison gas, support of terrorism, and nuclear program, but was opposed by the Reagan and Bush administrations.

1992: Jackson Supports Clinton-Gore Ticket

In 1992, Jesse Jackson, who had previously competed against Al Gore, supported the Clinton-Gore ticket.

January 20, 1993: Inauguration of Clinton and Gore

On January 20, 1993, Bill Clinton and Al Gore were inaugurated, marking the beginning of their administration. Gore played an unprecedented role as a principal adviser to Clinton, involved in decision-making to a significant degree.

1993: Clipper Chip Advocacy

During 1993, Al Gore was tapped by the administration to advocate for the adoption of the Clipper Chip, a technology developed by the National Security Agency designed to provide for law enforcement access to encrypted communications. After political and technical objections, the initiative was essentially dropped.

1993: Became Vice President of the United States

In 1993, Al Gore became the 45th Vice President of the United States, serving under President Bill Clinton.

1993: Vice President during Clinton Administration

In 1993, Al Gore began his service as Vice President during the Clinton administration.

1993: End of Senate Service

In 1993, Al Gore concluded his service in the U.S. Senate.

1993: Three-way tensions in the White House

Since 1993, tensions within the White House were evident, exacerbated by Hillary Clinton's candidacy for the open Senate seat in New York, which drew resources and attention away from Vice President Al Gore.

January 11, 1994: Information Technology Plans at UCLA

On January 11, 1994, Al Gore discussed his plans to emphasize information technology at UCLA during a speech at The Superhighway Summit.

March 29, 1994: Georgetown University Symposium Keynote

On March 29, 1994, Al Gore delivered the inaugural keynote at a Georgetown University symposium on governmental reform, discussing how technology was changing government and management.

1994: White House Website Launch

In 1994, the Clinton-Gore administration launched the first official White House website.

1995: Promotion of Information Technology Development

Around 1995, Al Gore promoted the development of information technology, contributing to the dot-com boom. The Clinton administration planned to fund research to stimulate the economy with innovative goods and services.

November 5, 1996: Clinton and Gore re-elected

On November 5, 1996, Bill Clinton and Al Gore were re-elected as president and vice-president with 379 electoral votes and an 8% margin of victory in the popular vote.

1996: Involvement in "Chinagate" campaign finance controversy

In 1996, Al Gore became involved in a "Chinagate" campaign finance controversy due to his attendance at an event at the Buddhist Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights, California. A U.S. Department of Justice investigation uncovered evidence that Chinese agents sought to direct contributions from foreign sources to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) before the 1996 presidential campaign.

1996: Defeat of Dole and Kemp

In 1996, Al Gore, as Vice President, and Bill Clinton defeated Bob Dole and Jack Kemp in the presidential election.

1996: Jackson Supports Clinton-Gore Ticket

In 1996, Jesse Jackson supported the Clinton-Gore ticket.

March 1997: Gore explains phone calls soliciting funds for Democratic Party

In March 1997, Al Gore had to explain phone calls he made to solicit funds for the Democratic Party for the 1996 election. He stated that all calls were charged to the Democratic National Committee and that his counsel advised there was no legal violation.

January 1998: Talk of potential 2000 presidential run

As early as January 1998, there was talk of a potential run in the 2000 presidential race by Al Gore.

1998: FBI agents denied opportunity to question Gore

In 1997 and 1998, FBI agents were denied the opportunity to ask President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore questions during Justice Department interviews regarding the "Chinagate" controversy.

1998: Promotion of NASA Satellite

In 1998, Al Gore began promoting a NASA satellite (Deep Space Climate Observatory) that would provide a constant view of the Earth, marking the first time such an image would have been made since The Blue Marble photo.

1998: Gore objects to the jailing of Anwar Ibrahim

In 1998, at an APEC conference hosted by Malaysia, Al Gore objected to the indictment, arrest, and jailing of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's second-in-command Anwar Ibrahim.

March 9, 1999: Gore discusses presidential run with Wolf Blitzer

On March 9, 1999, Al Gore discussed the possibility of running for president during an interview with CNN's Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer.

April 1999: Pew Research Center study on "Clinton fatigue"

An April 1999 study by the Pew Research Center found respondents suffered from "Clinton fatigue" due to the Lewinsky scandal. George W. Bush was leading Al Gore in polls during that time.

June 16, 1999: Gore announces candidacy for president

On June 16, 1999, in Carthage, Tennessee, Al Gore formally announced his candidacy for president, focusing on strengthening the American family. The speech was interrupted by AIDS protesters.

1999: Interview leading to "invented the Internet" urban legend

In 1999, an interview with Al Gore led to the urban legend that he claimed to have "invented the Internet".

March 9, 2000: Bradley withdraws campaign and endorses Gore

On March 9, 2000, after failing to win any of the first 20 primaries and caucuses, Bill Bradley withdrew his campaign and endorsed Al Gore for president.

March 2000: Gore wins primaries and caucuses, secures nomination

In March 2000, Al Gore won every primary and caucus, including the first primary election ever held over the Internet (the Arizona Presidential Primary), securing the Democratic nomination.

August 13, 2000: Gore selects Joe Lieberman as running mate

On August 13, 2000, Al Gore announced that he had selected Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut as his vice presidential running mate. Lieberman became the first person of the Jewish faith to run for the nation's second-highest office.

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: White House Website

Al Gore launched a White House website version in 2000.

2000: Presidential Run

Al Gore's position as a moderate shifted later in life after he ran for president in 2000.

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.

2000: Gore in the presidential race

In 2000, Al Gore participated in the presidential race.

2000: Gore-Lieberman Ticket and Policy Changes

In 2000, Jesse Jackson campaigned for the Gore-Lieberman ticket during the presidential election. Gore's policies changed substantially, reflecting his eight years as vice president.

2000: Funds Left Over From 2000

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

2000: Investigation into Gore's fund-raising controversies

In Spring 2000, Robert Conrad Jr., head of a Justice Department task force, asked Attorney General Janet Reno to appoint an independent counsel to continue the investigation into Al Gore's fund-raising controversies. Reno judged that the appointment was unwarranted.

2000: Loss in 2000 Presidential Election

In the 2000 presidential election, Al Gore, the Democratic nominee, lost to Republican nominee George W. Bush, despite winning the popular vote. The Supreme Court ruling in Bush v. Gore ended the recount process.

2001: Post-Vice Presidency Activities

After his vice presidency ended in 2001, Al Gore became an author, environmental activist, founder and chair of The Climate Reality Project, co-founder and chair of Generation Investment Management and Current TV, a former board member of Apple Inc., a senior advisor to Google, and a partner in Kleiner Perkins. He also became a visiting professor at multiple universities.

2001: Promotion of Information Technology Development

Around 2001, Al Gore continued to promote the development of information technology, contributing to the dot-com boom. The Clinton administration planned to fund research to stimulate the economy with innovative goods and services.

2001: End of Vice Presidency

In 2001, Al Gore's term as Vice President during the Clinton administration came to an end.

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.

2002: Gore Criticizes Bush Administration's Rush to War

In 2002, Al Gore began publicly criticizing the Bush administration. In a September 23, 2002 speech before the Commonwealth Club of California, Gore criticized Bush and Congress for their rush to war in Iraq, comparing it to the 1991 Persian Gulf War, in which Gore had voted in favor of the resolution.

December 2003: Gore Endorses Howard Dean for President

In December 2003, Al Gore endorsed Vermont governor Howard Dean for president, weeks before the first primary of the election cycle. This endorsement was criticized by other Democratic contenders.

March 2004: Gore Endorses John Kerry and Provides Campaign 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 presidential bid. Gore also opened the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

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.

2004: Co-launched Generation Investment Management

In 2004, Al Gore co-launched Generation Investment Management, a company where he serves as chair, focusing on sustainable investments.

2004: Gore Accuses Bush of Betrayal Over Iraq War Justification

In 2004, during the presidential election year, Al Gore accused George W. Bush of betraying the country by using the 9/11 attacks as a justification for the invasion of Iraq.

2004: Reference to calamitous early endorsement of Howard Dean

Some argued that Gore waited because he did not want to repeat his calamitous early endorsement of Howard Dean during the 2004 presidential election.

2005: Gore Criticizes Religious Zealots and Bush's Katrina Response

In 2005, Al Gore gave a speech addressing various topics, including what he termed "religious zealots" in American politics. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Gore chartered planes to evacuate 270 people from New Orleans and criticized the Bush administration's handling of the disaster.

2005: Received a Webby Award

In 2005, Al Gore received a Webby Award.

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."

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2006: Gore Criticizes Bush's Wiretapping and Treatment of Arabs

In 2006, Al Gore criticized President Bush's use of domestic wiretaps without a warrant. A month later, in a speech at the Jeddah Economic Forum, Gore criticized the treatment of Arabs in the U.S. after 9/11, stating that there had been "terrible abuses".

2006: Starred in An Inconvenient Truth

In 2006, Al Gore starred in the documentary film "An Inconvenient Truth", which addresses climate change. The film went on to win an Academy Award in 2007.

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2007: Criticism for energy consumption and conflicts of interest

In 2007, Al Gore faced criticism regarding his above-average energy consumption from private jets and large homes. Allegations of conflict of interest arose due to his advocacy for green-energy technologies in which he had personal investments.

2007: Gore Publishes "The Assault on Reason"

In 2007, Al Gore published his book, "The Assault on Reason," which analyzes the decline of meaningful civic discourse during the Bush administration, attributing it to the influence of television, while arguing that the Internet could revitalize democracy.

The Assault on Reason
The Assault on Reason

2007: Received Baptist of the Year Award

In 2007, Al Gore received Ethics Daily's "Baptist of the Year" award for his environmental activism.

2007: Awards received in 2007

In 2007, Al Gore received the Nobel Peace Prize (together with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), a Primetime Emmy Award for Current TV, and the Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation.

2007: Nobel Peace Prize and Emmy Award

In 2007, Al Gore received the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and a Primetime Emmy Award for Current TV.

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2007: Nobel Peace Prize

In 2007, Al Gore, jointly with the IPCC, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in climate change activism.

2007: British court case regarding An Inconvenient Truth

In 2007, a British judge ruled that while "An Inconvenient Truth" was broadly accurate, nine alleged errors required guidance notes for schoolchildren in the UK to balance its political views.

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June 3, 2008: Obama Becomes Presumptive Democratic Nominee

On June 3, 2008, when Barack Obama became the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, speculation began that Al Gore might be tapped for the vice presidency.

June 16, 2008: Gore Endorses Obama for President

On June 16, 2008, Al Gore endorsed Barack Obama for president in a speech given in Detroit, Michigan, renewing speculation of an Obama-Gore ticket. Gore stated, however, that he was not interested in being vice president again.

December 9, 2008: Obama, Gore, and Biden Meet in Chicago

On December 9, 2008, a meeting was held between Barack Obama, Al Gore, and Joe Biden in Chicago, enhancing speculation that Gore would be named a member of the Obama administration. Democratic officials stated the meeting was only about the climate crisis, and Gore would not be joining the administration.

December 19, 2008: Gore Praises Obama's Environmental Administrative Choices

On December 19, 2008, Al Gore described Barack Obama's environmental administrative choices of Carol Browner, Steven Chu, and Lisa Jackson as "an exceptional team to lead the fight against the climate crisis".

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: Gore Argues Against Ban of Same-Sex Marriage

In 2008, Al Gore argued against the ban of same-sex marriage on his Current TV website, advocating for equal rights for gay men and women, including the right to make contracts, have hospital visiting rights, and marry.

2008: Received Dan David Prize and Elected to American Philosophical Society

In 2008, Al Gore received the Dan David Prize and was elected to the American Philosophical Society.

2008: Changed Stance on Gay Rights

In 2008, Al Gore stated that gay men and women ought to have the same rights as heterosexual men and women, including the right to marry, shifting his position on gay rights.

2008: Keynote Speaker at New Baptist Covenant Convention

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

2008: Dan David Prize

In 2008, Al Gore won the Dan David Prize for Social Responsibility.

2008: Wolf Blitzer clarifies the 'invented the internet' quote

In 2008, Wolf Blitzer, who conducted the original 1999 interview, stated that Al Gore's comment about creating the Internet was distorted by his enemies and hurt him.

August 2009: Clinton and Gore Reunite for Media

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

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2009: Misrepresenting Scientific Data

During the COP15 climate change conference in Copenhagen in 2009, Al Gore cited research from Dr. Wieslaw Maslowski to claim a high probability of an ice-free Arctic summer within a few years. Reuters later found that Gore was guilty of misrepresenting scientific data or "spreading misinformation".

2009: Gore Comments on Cheney's Criticism of Obama Administration

In 2009, Al Gore commented on former Vice President Dick Cheney's criticism of the Obama administration during an interview with CNN. Gore referenced his own past criticism of the Bush administration, noting that he waited two years after leaving office to make critical statements.

2009: Gore describes court ruling as being "in my favor"

In 2009, Al Gore described the British court ruling regarding 'An Inconvenient Truth' as being "in my favor".

2009: An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It won a Grammy

In 2009, Al Gore's book "An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It" won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album.

An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It [Japanese Edition]
An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It [Japanese Edition]

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.

2012: Sale of Current TV to Al Jazeera

In 2012, Al Gore faced criticism for selling his television channel, Current TV, to Al Jazeera for around $100 million. Al Jazeera is funded by the government of Qatar, which is a nation largely dependent on income from the fossil fuel industry.

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.

2014: Speculation on Gore running for president in 2016 arises

In 2014, interest arose in having Al Gore run for the 2016 presidential election, even though he did not declare any intention to do so.

2015: Continued Speculation for Gore 2016 Candidacy

In 2015, interest continued to arise in having Al Gore run for the 2016 presidential election, although he did not declare any intention to do so.

July 25, 2016: Gore Endorses Hillary Clinton

On July 25, 2016, Al Gore endorsed Hillary Clinton, the first day of that year's Democratic National Convention, ending his neutrality during the Democratic presidential primaries of 2016.

October 11, 2016: Gore Appears with Clinton at Rally

On October 11, 2016, Al Gore appeared with Hillary Clinton at a rally on Miami Dade College's Kendall Campus.

2016: Speculation Arises for Gore 2016 Candidacy

Interest in having Al Gore run for the 2016 presidential election arose, although he did not declare any intention to do so.

January 2017: Revived Climate and Health Summit

In late January 2017, Al Gore revived the "Climate and Health Summit" through the Climate Reality Project after it was unexpectedly cancelled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

2017: An Inconvenient Sequel Premiered

In 2017, Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power", a sequel to his 2006 film, "An Inconvenient Truth", premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, documenting his continued efforts to combat climate change.

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2017: Sequel Documentary

In 2017, a sequel documentary was created: An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power.

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May 2018: Gore Joins 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, commencing October 2, 2019.

October 2, 2019: Gore participates in Gandhi Anniversary Celebrations

From October 2, 2019, Al Gore participated in year-long celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary as part of the Indian Government committee.

2020: Launched Climate TRACE

In 2020, Al Gore helped launch Climate TRACE, an independent organization dedicated to monitoring global greenhouse gas emissions.

November 2021: Spoke at COP26

In November 2021, Al Gore spoke at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, advocating for stronger climate action.

2023: Al Gore as the only non-incumbent to win every party primary

As of 2023, Al Gore remains the only presidential candidate in American history who was not the incumbent president to win every single contest in his or her party primary.

2023: Unique Vice-Presidential Debate

As of 2023, the vice-presidential debate that included Al Gore against Vice President Dan Quayle and Admiral James Stockdale remains the only televised Vice-Presidential debate with more than two participating candidates.

2024: Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2024, Al Gore was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden.