Childhood and Education Journey of Bernie Sanders in Timeline

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

Bernie Sanders is a prominent American politician, currently serving as the senior U.S. Senator from Vermont. As the longest-serving independent in Congress, he closely aligns with the Democratic Party, having caucused with them and actively sought their presidential nomination in both 2016 and 2020. He is widely regarded as a leading figure in the modern American progressive movement, advocating for policies aimed at social and economic justice.

Sections (7)

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

1921: Elias Sanders Immigrates to the US

In 1921, Elias Sanders, Bernie Sanders' father, immigrated to the United States from Poland.

September 8, 1941: Birth of Bernie Sanders

On September 8, 1941, Bernard Sanders was born. He is an American politician, the senior United States senator from Vermont, and the longest-serving independent in U.S. congressional history.

1954: Bar Mitzvah

In 1954, Sanders celebrated his bar mitzvah.

1956: Brother joined the Young Democrats of America

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

1959: Attends Brooklyn College

From 1959 to 1960, Sanders studied at Brooklyn College.

1960: Transfers to University of Chicago

In 1960, Sanders transferred to the University of Chicago.

January 1962: Protest against Segregated Housing

In January 1962, Sanders participated in a rally and sit-in at the University of Chicago to protest segregated campus housing policies.

1962: Death of Elias Sanders

In 1962, Sanders' father, Elias Sanders, died at age 57.

1963: Volunteered on Israeli kibbutz Sha'ar HaAmakim

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

1963: March on Washington and Arrest

In 1963, Sanders attended the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and was fined $25 for resisting arrest during a demonstration against segregation in Chicago.

1963: End of Segregation at University of Chicago

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

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 and Deborah Shiling Messing divorced.

1968: Move to Stannard, Vermont

In 1968, Sanders moved to Stannard, Vermont, and worked as a carpenter, filmmaker, and writer.

1968: Settling in Vermont

In 1968, Sanders settled in Vermont and ran unsuccessful third-party political campaigns in the 1970s.

1969: Residency in Montpelier

From 1969 to 1971, Sanders resided in Montpelier.

1969: Son Levi Sanders was born

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

1970: Stannard Population

In 1970, the population of Stannard, Vermont, was 88 residents.

1971: Residency in Montpelier

From 1969 to 1971, Sanders resided in Montpelier.

October 1977: Retirement from Liberty Union Party

In October 1977, Sanders and Nancy Kaufman announced their retirement from the Liberty Union Party.

May 28, 1988: Married Jane O'Meara Driscoll

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

1991: Lecture at Hamilton College

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

October 2015: Jimmy Kimmel Interview

In October 2015, Bernie Sanders was asked by Jimmy Kimmel on Jimmy Kimmel Live! about his religious views and belief in God, which Sanders addressed by stating that he is culturally Jewish and believes everyone connects to God in their own way.

2015: Attendance at Tashlikh Ceremony

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

April 2016: Vatican Conference and Meeting with Pope Francis

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.

2016: Disclosure of Spiritual Feelings

In 2016, Bernie Sanders disclosed having "very strong religious and spiritual feelings", expressing that he feels impacted by the suffering of children and veterans.

2016: Comments on Sanders

In 2016, Joan Mahoney described Sanders in an interview as "a swell guy, a nice Jewish boy from Brooklyn, but he wasn't terribly charismatic. One of his strengths, though, was his ability to work with a wide group of people, even those he didn't agree with."

2016: Described his upbringing as an American Jew in a 2016 speech

In a 2016 speech, Sanders described his upbringing as an American Jew, noting his father's limited synagogue attendance, his mother's discontent with his yeshiva schooling, and their family's Passover seders.