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 and activist currently serving as the senior U.S. Senator from Vermont. Notably, he holds the record for the longest tenure as an independent in U.S. Congressional history. While maintaining his independent status, Sanders has consistently aligned with the Democratic Party, caucusing with them in both the House and Senate throughout much of his career. He twice sought the Democratic presidential nomination, in 2016 and 2020, and is considered a leading figure in the modern American progressive movement due to his promotion of policies addressing economic inequality and social justice.
September 8, 1941: Birth of Bernard Sanders
On September 8, 1941, Bernard Sanders was born.
1956: Introduction to Political Activism
In 1956, Bernie Sanders was first introduced to political activism when his brother Larry joined the Young Democrats of America and campaigned for Adlai Stevenson II.
1959: Attended Brooklyn College
In 1959, Sanders studied at Brooklyn College for a year.
1960: Attended Brooklyn College
In 1960, Sanders studied at Brooklyn College for a year.
January 1962: Protest against segregated housing at University of Chicago
In January 1962, Sanders participated in a rally and sit-in at the University of Chicago to protest the university's segregated campus housing policy.
1963: Volunteered on Israeli kibbutz
In 1963, Sanders and Deborah Shiling Messing volunteered on the Israeli kibbutz Sha'ar HaAmakim for several months.
1963: March on Washington
In 1963, Sanders attended the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where Martin Luther King Jr. gave the "I Have a Dream" speech. He was also fined $25 for resisting arrest during a demonstration against segregation in Chicago's public schools that summer.
1963: University of Chicago ends housing segregation
In the summer of 1963, following protests, the University of Chicago ended racial segregation in private university housing.
1964: Graduation 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 divorced Deborah Shiling Messing.
1968: Move to Vermont
In 1968, Sanders moved to Stannard, Vermont, captivated by rural life.
1969: Sanders Resides in Montpelier
From 1969, Sanders resided in Montpelier.
1969: Birth of Son Levi Sanders
In 1969, Sanders's son, Levi Sanders, was born to then-girlfriend Susan Campbell Mott.
1971: Birth of Heather Titus
In 1971, Heather Titus (née Driscoll) was born.
1971: Joined Liberty Union Party
In 1971, Sanders joined Vermont's Liberty Union Party and became a candidate for several offices, although he never won an election.
1971: Sanders Resides in Montpelier
Until 1971, Sanders resided in Montpelier.
1976: Zenith of Liberty Union Influence
The 1976 campaign was the zenith of the Liberty Union's influence, with Sanders collecting 11,317 votes for governor.
October 1977: Retirement from Liberty Union Party
In October 1977, Sanders and Nancy Kaufman, announced their retirement from the Liberty Union Party.
1981: Elected Mayor of Burlington
In 1981, Sanders ran as an independent for mayor of Burlington, Vermont, and defeated the Democratic incumbent.
1983: Speech at Socialist Party USA conference
In 1983, Sanders attended the conference of the Socialist Party USA, where he delivered a speech.
1984: Endorsed Walter Mondale
In 1984, Sanders endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale, although his support was lukewarm.
1985: Speech by Noam Chomsky at Burlington City Hall
In 1985, Burlington City Hall hosted a foreign policy speech by Noam Chomsky, introduced by Sanders, who praised Chomsky's voice in intellectual life.
December 1987: Recorded Folk Album
In December 1987, Sanders recorded a folk album, We Shall Overcome, with 30 Vermont musicians, performing vocals in a talking blues style.
May 28, 1988: Married Jane O'Meara Driscoll
On May 28, 1988, Sanders married Jane O'Meara Driscoll in Burlington, Vermont.
1988: Trip to the Soviet Union
In 1988, Bernie Sanders traveled to the Soviet Union and interviewed the mayor of Burlington's sister city, Yaroslavl, about housing and health care issues.
1988: Appeared in 'Sweet Hearts Dance'
In 1988, Sanders appeared in a cameo role in the comedy-drama film Sweet Hearts Dance.
1988: Endorsed Jesse Jackson
In 1988, Sanders enthusiastically endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Jesse Jackson.
1988: First Run for U.S. House of Representatives
In 1988, Sanders first ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, adopting a strategy of winning the Democratic Party primary and then running as an independent.
1991: Lecturer at Hamilton College
In 1991, Sanders lectured in political science at Hamilton College.
1999: Acted in 'My X-Girlfriend's Wedding Reception'
In 1999, Sanders acted in the film My X-Girlfriend's Wedding Reception, playing Rabbi Manny Shevitz.
2006: Ran for U.S. Senate
In 2006, Sanders ran for the U.S. Senate, using the same strategy of winning the Democratic primary and running as an independent in the general election.
2013: Larry Sanders Retired From Council
In 2013, Larry Sanders retired from the Oxfordshire County Council where he was a Green Party county councillor.
October 2015: Discussed Beliefs on Religion
In October 2015, Sanders discussed his views on religion on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, describing himself as culturally Jewish but not particularly religious and stating his belief in God.
2015: Larry Sanders Ran For Oxford West
In 2015, Larry Sanders ran as a Green Party candidate for Oxford West and Abingdon in the British general election.
2015: Attended Tashlikh Ceremony
In 2015, Sanders attended a Tashlikh ceremony with the mayor of Lynchburg on Rosh Hashanah afternoon.
February 6, 2016: Guest Starred on Saturday Night Live
On February 6, 2016, Sanders was a guest star alongside Larry David on Saturday Night Live, playing a Polish immigrant.
April 2016: Spoke at Vatican Conference and Met Pope Francis
In April 2016, Sanders spoke at a Vatican conference on economic and environmental issues and met briefly with Pope Francis.
2016: Suggested Democratic Party Reforms
Following Trump's victory in the 2016 elections, Sanders suggested the Democratic Party undergo a series of reforms and sever its ties with the corporate establishment.
2016: Disclosed Religious Feelings
In 2016, Sanders disclosed that he had "very strong religious and spiritual feelings" related to the well-being of others.
2016: Commentary on Sanders by Joan Mahoney
In a 2016 interview, Joan Mahoney, a fellow activist, described Sanders as a swell guy from Brooklyn who could work with a wide group of people.
2016: Described Upbringing as American Jew
In a 2016 speech, Sanders described his upbringing as an American Jew, detailing his family's limited religious observances.
2016: Ran as a Democrat
Starting with his 2016 presidential campaign, Sanders suggested 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: Announced Run as Independent
In October 2017, Sanders announced that he would run for reelection as an independent in 2018, despite facing pressure to run as a Democrat.
2017: Drew parallels to Labour Party in UK
In 2017, Sanders drew parallels between his campaign and that of the Labour Party in the UK general election, urging Democrats to adopt a more progressive ideology.
2018: Campaign event in Stannard
During his 2018 reelection campaign, Sanders returned to Stannard, Vermont, to hold an event with voters and other candidates.
2018: Re-election as Independent
In 2018, Sanders ran for reelection to the Senate as an independent.
March 2019: Signed Democratic Party loyalty pledge
In March 2019, Sanders signed a formal "loyalty pledge" to the Democratic Party, declaring himself a member and promising to serve as a Democrat if elected president.
December 2019: Declared healthy after heart attack
In December 2019, Sanders released letters from physicians declaring him healthy and recovered from his recent heart condition.
2020: "I am once again asking" Meme
During the 2020 primary season, a still from a fundraising video in which Sanders says "I am once again asking for your financial support" went viral online.
2021: Inauguration Mittens Meme
In 2021, a frame from the inauguration of Joe Biden showing Sanders seated in a folding chair wearing patterned mittens went viral, being edited into various images.
2023: $25 Fine Equivalent
In 1963, Sanders was fined $25 dollars for resisting arrest, which is equivalent to $249 in 2023.
2024: Paperwork to run as Independent
In March 2019, Sanders signed paperwork to run as an independent for reelection to the Senate in 2024.
