How Al Gore Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Al Gore across different fields.

Al Gore is an American politician, businessman, and environmentalist best known for serving as the 45th Vice President under Bill Clinton from 1993 to 2001. Before that, he was a U.S. Senator and a U.S. Representative for Tennessee. Gore was the Democratic presidential nominee in 2000, narrowly losing to George W. Bush despite winning the popular vote. Since leaving office, he has been a prominent voice on climate change, raising awareness and advocating for environmental action.

Sections (7)

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

1956: National Interstate and Defense Highways Act of 1956

In 1956, Al Gore's father introduced the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act, which had a significant impact, causing housing to go up, suburban boom happened, and everybody became mobile.

April 3, 1989: Albert Gore's Accident

On April 3, 1989, Al Gore's six-year-old son Albert was hit by a car and severely injured while leaving a baseball game, leading to a month-long hospital stay and a profound personal transformation for Gore.

December 13, 2000: Gore Concedes the Election

On December 13, 2000, Al Gore conceded the election to George W. Bush, despite strongly disagreeing with the Supreme Court's decision to halt the Florida recount. In his concession speech, Gore emphasized national unity and the strength of democracy.

2000: Gore 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, which was called "Top Ten Rejected Gore – Lieberman Campaign Slogans." One of the slogans joked about Gore giving America the Internet.

2004: Arguments about Gore's endorsement timing

In 2004 there was arguments that Gore waited to endorse Obama because he did not want to repeat his calamitous early endorsement of Howard Dean.

2005: Gore receives Lifetime Achievement Award at Webby Awards

In 2005, Al Gore received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Webby Awards for his contributions to the Internet and joked about the 2000 election recount during his acceptance speech.

2006: Subject of "An Inconvenient Truth"

In 2006, Al Gore was the subject of the Academy Award-winning documentary "An Inconvenient Truth".

2008: Shifted 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 and be able to join together in marriage, shifting his position on gay rights.

2009: Gore's response to British court ruling

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

2017: Subject of "An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power"

In 2017, Al Gore was the subject of the documentary "An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power".

2023: Al Gore's primary record as of 2023

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.