Childhood and Education Journey of Bernie Sanders in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Bernie Sanders. A timeline of key moments.

Bernard "Bernie" Sanders is a prominent American politician currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Vermont. As the longest-serving independent in U.S. congressional history, he has maintained a close relationship with the Democratic Party, caucusing with them in both the House and Senate. He ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in both 2016 and 2020. Sanders is widely considered a leading figure in the modern American progressive movement, advocating for policies such as Medicare for All, free college tuition, and a higher minimum wage.

Sections (7)

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

1904: Birth of Elias Ben Yehuda Sanders

In 1904, Elias Ben Yehuda Sanders, Bernie Sanders' father, was born in Słopnice, Poland.

1912: Birth of Dorothy Sanders

In 1912, Dorothy Sanders, Bernie Sanders' mother, was born in New York City.

1921: Elias Sanders immigrates to the U.S.

In 1921, Elias Sanders immigrated to the United States and became a paint salesman.

September 8, 1941: Bernard Sanders is born

On September 8, 1941, Bernard Sanders was born. He is an American politician and activist, and currently serves as the senior United States senator from Vermont.

1954: Celebrated Bar Mitzvah

In 1954, Sanders celebrated his Bar Mitzvah.

1956: Brother's Political Activism

In 1956, Sanders was introduced to political activism when his brother Larry joined the Young Democrats of America and campaigned for Adlai Stevenson II.

1959: Studied at Brooklyn College

From 1959, Sanders studied at Brooklyn College.

1960: Studied at Brooklyn College

Until 1960, Sanders studied at Brooklyn College.

January 1962: Protested segregated housing at University of Chicago

In January 1962, Sanders protested the University of Chicago's segregated campus housing policy, leading a sit-in at the administration building.

1962: Death of his father

In 1962, Sanders' father died at age 57.

1963: Volunteered on Israeli Kibbutz

In 1963, Sanders and Deborah Shiling Messing volunteered on the Israeli kibbutz Sha'ar HaAmakim.

1963: Attended March on Washington and arrested during demonstration

In 1963, Sanders attended the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Martin Luther King Jr. gave the "I Have a Dream" speech. That summer, Sanders was also fined $25 for resisting arrest during a demonstration in Englewood against segregation in Chicago's public schools.

1963: Volunteered at Kibbutz in Israel

In 1963, Sanders volunteered at Sha'ar HaAmakim, a kibbutz in northern Israel, in cooperation with the Labor Zionist youth movement Hashomer Hatzair.

1963: Ended racial segregation in University of Chicago

In the summer of 1963, after further protests, the University of Chicago ended racial segregation in private university housing.

1964: Graduated from the University of Chicago

In 1964, Sanders graduated from the University of Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.

1964: Married Deborah Shiling Messing

In 1964, Sanders married Deborah Shiling Messing.

1966: Divorced Deborah Shiling Messing

In 1966, Sanders and Deborah Shiling Messing divorced.

1968: Moved to Stannard, Vermont

In 1968, Sanders moved to Stannard, Vermont.

1968: Settled in Vermont

In 1968, Sanders settled in Vermont.

1969: Resided in Montpelier

From 1969, Sanders resided in Montpelier.

1969: Son Levi Born

In 1969, Sanders's son, Levi Sanders, was born to then-girlfriend Susan Campbell Mott.

1970: Stannard population

In 1970, the town of Stannard, Vermont, where Sanders lived, had a population of 88 residents.

1971: Heather Titus (née Driscoll) was Born

Heather Titus (née Driscoll) was born in 1971, daughter of Jane O'Meara Driscoll.

1971: Joined Vermont's Liberty Union Party

In 1971, Sanders joined Vermont's Liberty Union Party and ran for several offices, without success.

1971: Resided in Montpelier

Until 1971, Sanders resided in Montpelier.

1974: Carina Driscoll was Born

Carina Driscoll was born in 1974, daughter of Jane O'Meara Driscoll.

1975: Dave Driscoll was Born

Dave Driscoll was born in 1975, son of Jane O'Meara Driscoll.

1977: Quit Liberty Union Party

In 1977, Sanders quit the Liberty Union Party to become an independent.

1983: Sanders Gave Speech at Socialist Party USA Conference

In 1983, Sanders attended the conference of the Socialist Party USA where he gave a speech.

May 28, 1988: Sanders Married Jane O'Meara Driscoll

On May 28, 1988, Bernie Sanders married Jane O'Meara Driscoll in Burlington, Vermont.

1988: Trip to the Soviet Union

In 1988, Sanders visited the Soviet Union and interviewed the mayor of Burlington's sister city, Yaroslavl, about housing and health care issues.

1991: Lectured at Hamilton College

In 1991, Sanders lectured in political science at Hamilton College.

2013: Larry Sanders Retired from Oxfordshire County Council

In 2013, Sanders's elder brother, Larry, retired from the Oxfordshire County Council.

October 2015: Remarks on religion on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

In October 2015, during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Bernie Sanders discussed his religious views, describing himself as culturally Jewish but not particularly religious. He affirmed a belief in God while emphasizing a non-traditional, interconnected view of life.

2015: Attended a Tashlikh ceremony

In 2015, Bernie Sanders attended a Tashlikh atonement ceremony with the mayor of Lynchburg on Rosh Hashanah.

2015: Larry Sanders Ran for Oxford West and Abingdon

In 2015, Sanders's elder brother, Larry, ran as a Green Party candidate for Oxford West and Abingdon.

April 2016: Speaking at Vatican conference

In April 2016, Bernie Sanders accepted an invitation to speak at a Vatican conference on economic and environmental issues and briefly met with Pope Francis during his visit.

2016: Bernie Sanders' Dank Meme Stash received attention

During the 2016 Democratic primary season, the Facebook group Bernie Sanders' Dank Meme Stash gained significant attention for its unique concept of a meme community focused on a politician.

2016: Disclosure of "strong religious and spiritual feelings"

In 2016, Bernie Sanders spoke about having very strong religious and spiritual feelings, explaining that his spirituality is rooted in the idea that everyone is interconnected and impacted by the suffering of others.

2016: Described His Upbringing as an American Jew

In a 2016 speech, Sanders described his upbringing as an American Jew, highlighting his family's limited religious observances.

2016: Ran as a Democrat in Presidential Campaign

Starting with his 2016 presidential campaign, Sanders's announcements suggested that not only was he running as a Democrat, but that he would run as a Democrat in future elections.

May 30, 2017: Received Honorary Degree from Brooklyn College

On May 30, 2017, Sanders received an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Brooklyn College.

October 2017: Sanders Said He Would Run for Reelection as Independent

In October 2017, Sanders said he would run for reelection as an independent in 2018 despite pressure to run as a Democrat.

2018: Sanders ran for reelection as an Independent

In October 2017, Sanders said he would run for reelection as an independent in 2018 despite pressure to run as a Democrat.

March 2019: Sanders Signed Loyalty Pledge to Democratic Party

In March 2019, Sanders signed a formal "loyalty pledge" to the Democratic Party, stating that he was a member of the party and would serve as a Democrat if elected president.

December 2019: Sanders Released Letters Declaring Health Recovery

In December 2019, Bernie Sanders released letters from physicians declaring him healthy and recovered from his heart condition.

2020: "I am once again asking for your financial support" meme goes viral

During the 2020 primary season, a still from a fundraising video, where Bernie Sanders says, "I am once again asking for your financial support," became a viral internet meme.

2021: Inauguration meme goes viral

In 2021, an image of Bernie Sanders at Joe Biden's inauguration wearing mittens and a jacket became a viral meme, photoshopped into various images and scenes.