History of Bernie Sanders in Timeline
Bernard Sanders is a prominent American politician, serving as the senior U.S. Senator from Vermont and the longest-serving independent in U.S. congressional history. Although independent, he closely aligns with the Democratic Party, consistently caucusing with them and twice seeking their presidential nomination. Sanders is a leading figure in the modern American progressive movement, advocating for policies aimed at social and economic equality.
1921: Elias Sanders Immigrated to the U.S.
In 1921, Elias Sanders, Bernie's father, immigrated to the United States from Poland.
September 8, 1941: Birth of Bernard Sanders
On September 8, 1941, Bernard Sanders was born. He would later become a prominent American politician and activist.
1948: Reference to Vito Marcantonio Election
In 1988, Sanders was the first socialist elected to the House since Vito Marcantonio, from the American Labor Party, who won his last term in 1948.
1952: Reference to Frazier Reams Election
In 1988, it was noted that Sanders was the first independent elected to the US House of Representatives since Frazier Reams of Ohio won his second term in 1952.
1956: Brother joined Young Democrats
In 1956, Sanders's brother, Larry, joined the Young Democrats of America and campaigned for Adlai Stevenson II, introducing Bernie to political activism.
1959: Studied at Brooklyn College
Sanders studied at Brooklyn College from 1959.
1960: Studied at Brooklyn College
Sanders studied at Brooklyn College until 1960, before transferring to the University of Chicago.
January 1962: Protested Segregation at the University of Chicago
In January 1962, Sanders protested the University of Chicago's segregated campus housing policy, leading to a sit-in that eventually resulted in the end of racial segregation in university housing.
1963: Volunteered on Israeli kibbutz Sha'ar HaAmakim
In 1963, Bernie Sanders and Deborah Shiling Messing volunteered on the Israeli kibbutz Sha'ar HaAmakim.
1963: Volunteered at Sha'ar HaAmakim Kibbutz
In 1963, Bernie Sanders and his first wife volunteered at Sha'ar HaAmakim, a kibbutz in northern Israel, through the Labor Zionist youth movement Hashomer Hatzair.
1963: Participated in the March on Washington and Arrested in Chicago
In 1963, Sanders attended the March on Washington and was fined for resisting arrest during a demonstration against segregation in Chicago.
1963: University of Chicago Ended Racial Segregation
In the summer of 1963, the University of Chicago ended racial segregation in private university housing following protests.
1964: Married Deborah Shiling Messing
In 1964, Bernie Sanders married Deborah Shiling Messing.
1964: Graduated from University of Chicago
In 1964, Sanders graduated from the University of Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science.
1966: Divorced Deborah Shiling Messing
In 1966, Bernie Sanders divorced Deborah Shiling Messing.
1968: Moved to Stannard, Vermont
In 1968, Sanders moved to Stannard, Vermont and worked as a carpenter, filmmaker, and writer.
1969: Son Levi Sanders born
In 1969, Bernie Sanders's son, Levi Sanders, was born to Susan Campbell Mott.
1970: Stannard Population
In 1970, Stannard, Vermont had a population of 88 residents.
1971: Heather Titus was born
Heather Titus (née Driscoll) was born in 1971.
1971: Joined Vermont's Liberty Union Party
In 1971, Bernie Sanders joined Vermont's Liberty Union Party and ran for several offices.
1971: Stay at Myrtle Hill Farm
In 1971, while researching an article, Sanders stayed at Myrtle Hill Farm, but was asked to leave after three days for not contributing physical labor.
1972: Ran for Governor and US Senator of Vermont
In 1972, Sanders ran as the Liberty Union candidate for governor of Vermont and as a candidate in the special election for US senator.
1974: Ran for US Senator
In 1974, Sanders ran as a candidate in the general election for US senator, finishing third.
1976: Ran for Governor of Vermont
In 1976, Sanders ran as the Liberty Union candidate for governor of Vermont.
1976: Gubernatorial Election
Sanders' friend Richard Sugarman showed him a ward-by-ward breakdown of the 1976 Vermont gubernatorial election, in which Sanders had run, that showed him receiving 12% of the vote in Burlington.
1976: Peak Influence of Liberty Union
The 1976 campaign was the zenith of the Liberty Union's influence, with Sanders collecting 11,317 votes for governor. His performance forced the down-ballot races for lieutenant governor and secretary of state to be decided by the state legislature.
October 1977: Resignation from Liberty Union Party
In October 1977, Sanders announced his retirement from the Liberty Union Party.
1977: Worked for American People's Historical Society
After resigning from the Liberty Union Party in 1977, Sanders worked as a writer and as the director of the nonprofit American People's Historical Society (APHS).
1977: Quit Liberty Union Party
In 1977, Bernie Sanders quit the Liberty Union Party to become an independent.
November 8, 1980: Announced Candidacy for Mayor
On November 8, 1980, Sanders announced his candidacy for mayor of Burlington.
1980: Elector for Socialist Workers Party
During the 1980 presidential election, Sanders was one of three electors for the Socialist Workers Party in Vermont.
1981: Campaign Against Waterfront Development
In 1981, Bernie Sanders campaigned against Burlington developer Tony Pomerleau's plans to convert the industrial waterfront property into expensive condominiums, hotels, and offices. He ran under the slogan "Burlington is not for sale" and supported a plan that redeveloped the waterfront area into a mixed-use district featuring housing, parks, and public spaces.
1981: Elected Mayor of Burlington, Vermont
In 1981, Bernie Sanders ran as an independent and was elected mayor of Burlington, Vermont, defeating the Democratic incumbent.
December 3, 1982: Announced Seek Reelection
On December 3, 1982, Sanders announced that he would seek reelection.
January 22, 1983: Endorsed by the Citizens Party
On January 22, 1983, the Citizens Party voted unanimously to endorse Sanders, although Sanders ran as an independent.
1983: Gave Speech at Socialist Party USA Conference
In 1983, Bernie Sanders gave a speech at the conference of the Socialist Party USA.
December 5, 1984: Announced Run for Third Term
On December 5, 1984, Sanders announced that he would run for a third term as mayor.
1984: Endorsed Walter Mondale for President
In 1984, Bernie Sanders endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale, although with reservations.
1985: Hosted Noam Chomsky
In 1985, Bernie Sanders, as mayor of Burlington, hosted Noam Chomsky at Burlington City Hall for a foreign policy speech. During the introduction, Sanders praised Chomsky as "a very vocal and important voice in the wilderness of intellectual life in America".
December 1, 1986: Announced Run for Fourth Term
On December 1, 1986, Sanders announced that he would seek reelection to a fourth term as mayor of Burlington.
1986: Started Bernie Speaks with the Community
In 1986, Bernie Sanders began hosting and producing a public-access television program called Bernie Speaks with the Community.
December 1987: Recording of Folk Album 'We Shall Overcome'
In December 1987, Bernie Sanders recorded a folk album titled "We Shall Overcome" with 30 Vermont musicians, performing his vocals in a talking blues style due to his lack of singing skills.
1987: Announcement to Not Seek Another Term
After the 1987 election, Sanders announced that he would not seek another mayoral term, stating that 'eight years is enough'.
1987: Recorded We Shall Overcome
In 1987, Bernie Sanders collaborated with 30 Vermont musicians to record a folk album titled We Shall Overcome.
May 28, 1988: Married Jane O'Meara Driscoll
On May 28, 1988, Bernie Sanders married Jane O'Meara Driscoll in Burlington, Vermont. The day after their wedding, they visited the Soviet Union.
1988: Ended Bernie Speaks with the Community
In 1988, Bernie Sanders ended his run producing the public-access television program Bernie Speaks with the Community.
1988: Endorsed Jesse Jackson for President
In 1988, Bernie Sanders enthusiastically endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Jesse Jackson.
1988: First Ran for US House of Representatives
In 1988, Bernie Sanders first ran for the US House of Representatives, adopting a strategy of winning the Democratic Party primary and then running as an independent.
1988: Cameo in 'Sweet Hearts Dance'
In 1988, Bernie Sanders made a cameo appearance in the comedy-drama film "Sweet Hearts Dance", playing a man who hands out candy to trick-or-treaters.
1988: Visited 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 in the two cities.
1989: Left Mayor Office
In 1989, when Bernie Sanders left office as mayor, Bouricius, a member of the Burlington city council, commented that Sanders had "changed the entire nature of politics in Burlington and also in the state of Vermont".
1990: NRA Opposes Smith, Benefits Sanders's Campaign
In 1990, Bernie Sanders's bid to become a US Representative was benefitted by the National Rifle Association of America opposing the competing campaign of Peter Smith, due to Smith's reversed stance on firearm restrictions.
1990: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
In 1990, Sanders was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Vermont's at-large congressional district.
1991: Co-Founded the Congressional Progressive Caucus
In 1991, Bernie Sanders co-founded the Congressional Progressive Caucus, a group of mostly liberal Democrats, and chaired it for its first eight years.
1991: Voted Against Use of Force in Iraq
In 1991, Bernie Sanders voted against the resolutions authorizing the use of force against Iraq.
1991: Elected to US House of Representatives
In 1991, Bernie Sanders was elected to the US House of Representatives, after winning the election by a margin of 56% to 39%.
1991: Lectured at Hamilton College
In 1991, Sanders lectured in political science at Hamilton College.
February 7, 1992: Sponsored Cancer Registries Amendment Act
On February 7, 1992, Bernie Sanders sponsored the Cancer Registries Amendment Act to establish cancer registries to collect data on cancer.
October 2, 1992: Senate Introduced a Companion Bill
On October 2, 1992, Senator Patrick Leahy introduced a companion bill in the Senate for the Cancer Registries Amendment Act.
October 24, 1992: Signed Cancer Registries Amendment Act
On October 24, 1992, President George H. W. Bush signed the Cancer Registries Amendment Act into law.
1993: Voted Against the Brady Bill
In 1993, Bernie Sanders voted against the Brady Bill, which mandated federal background checks when buying guns and imposed a waiting period on firearm purchasers in the United States.
1993: Sanders Votes Against Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act
In 1993, while a US representative, Bernie Sanders voted against the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, which established background checks and wait periods.
1994: Voted for Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act
In 1994, Bernie Sanders voted for the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act "because it included the Violence Against Women Act and the ban on certain assault weapons." He was critical of other parts of the bill.
1994: Won Reelection
In 1994, during the Republican Revolution, Bernie Sanders won reelection to the House by 3%, with 50% of the vote.
1995: Referenced Time Period Since 1995
In 2005, Rolling Stone referred to the time period since 1995 to the date Bernie Sanders was given the title of amendment king.
1996: Voted Against Bill to Prohibit Police from Purchasing Military Equipment
In 1996, Bernie Sanders voted against a bill that would have prohibited police from purchasing tanks and armored carriers.
1996: Sanders Votes Against CDC Funding for Firearm Research
In 1996, Bernie Sanders voted against additional funding to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for research on issues related to firearms.
1998: Voted for Increased Minimum Sentencing
In 1998, Bernie Sanders voted for a bill that would have increased minimum sentencing for possessing a gun while committing a federal crime to ten years in prison, including nonviolent crimes such as marijuana possession.
1999: Acting Role in 'My X-Girlfriend's Wedding Reception'
In 1999, Bernie Sanders acted in the film "My X-Girlfriend's Wedding Reception", playing Rabbi Manny Shevitz, who mourns the Brooklyn Dodgers' move to Los Angeles.
1999: Voted Against Rolling Back Glass-Steagall
In 1999, Bernie Sanders voted and advocated against rolling back the Glass–Steagall legislation provisions.
October 2000: China Received PNTR Status
Bernie Sanders referenced when China received PNTR status in his argument that it was an absolute failure and needed to be fundamentally overhauled.
2001: Voted for Authorization for Use of Military Force
In 2001, Bernie Sanders voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists.
2002: Voted Against Use of Force in Iraq
In 2002, Bernie Sanders voted against the resolutions authorizing the use of force against Iraq.
June 2003: Criticized Alan Greenspan
In June 2003, Bernie Sanders criticized Federal Reserve chair Alan Greenspan, stating that he was concerned that Greenspan was "way out of touch" and represented the wealthy and large corporations.
2003: Opposed Invasion of Iraq
In 2003, Bernie Sanders opposed the invasion of Iraq.
February 2005: Introduced Bill to Withdraw PNTR Status from China
In February 2005, Bernie Sanders introduced a bill that would have withdrawn the permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status that had been extended to China in October 2000.
April 21, 2005: Entered US Senate Race
On April 21, 2005, Bernie Sanders entered the race for the U.S. Senate after Senator Jim Jeffords announced he would not seek reelection.
May 2005: Howard Dean Endorsed Sanders
In May 2005, Howard Dean, the Democratic National Committee chair, endorsed Bernie Sanders.
June 2005: Proposed Amendment to Limit Patriot Act
In June 2005, Bernie Sanders proposed an amendment to limit Patriot Act provisions that allowed the government to obtain individuals' library and book-buying records. The amendment passed the House but was later removed.
2005: Sanders Votes For Legislation Granting Gun Manufacturers Legal Immunity
In 2005, Bernie Sanders voted for legislation that gave gun manufacturers legal immunity against claims of negligence.
2005: Voted for Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act
In 2005, Bernie Sanders voted for the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which aimed to prevent firearms manufacturers and dealers from being held liable for negligence when crimes were committed with their products.
2005: Called Amendment King
In 2005, Rolling Stone called Bernie Sanders the "amendment king" for his ability to get more roll call amendments passed than any other congressman since 1995.
March 2006: Obama Campaigned for Sanders
In March 2006, then-Senator Barack Obama campaigned for Bernie Sanders in Vermont.
2006: First Ran for US Senate
In 2006, Bernie Sanders first ran for the US Senate, adopting a strategy of winning the Democratic Party primary and then running as an independent.
2006: Sanders Declined Vermont Democratic Party Nomination for U.S. Senate in 2006
In 2006, Sanders declined the Vermont Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Senate, which later caused an unsuccessful legal challenge to his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016.
2007: Became Senator from Vermont
In 2007, Sanders became the senior United States senator from Vermont, a position he has held since then.
2007: Sanders helped kill immigration reform bill
In 2007, Sanders helped kill a bill introducing comprehensive immigration reform, arguing that its guest-worker program would depress wages for American workers.
2007: Caucusing with the Democrats
In 2007, Sanders's caucusing with the Democrats gave them a 51–49 majority in the Senate during the 110th Congress.
2008: Voted Against TARP
In 2008, Bernie Sanders voted against the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).
2008: Clinton Supporters Vote for John McCain
In 2008, a proportion of Clinton supporters voted for John McCain during the general election. In 2017, an analysis in Newsweek compared that proportion with those who voted for Sanders in the Democratic primary and then voted for Trump in the general election.
February 4, 2009: Sponsored Amendment to TARP
On February 4, 2009, Bernie Sanders sponsored an amendment to ensure that TARP funds would not displace US workers. The amendment passed and was added to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
December 2009: Sanders adds provision to Affordable Care Act
In mid-December 2009, Sanders successfully added a provision to the Affordable Care Act to fund $11 billion to community health centers, especially those in rural areas.
2009: Supported Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage in Vermont
In 2009, Bernie Sanders supported legalizing same-sex marriage in Vermont, reflecting his long-standing advocacy for LGBT rights.
December 10, 2010: Filibustered Tax Relief Act
On December 10, 2010, Bernie Sanders delivered an 8-hour and 34-minute speech against the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010.
2010: Sanders supported the DREAM Act
In 2010, Sanders supported the DREAM Act, which would have provided a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who had been brought to the United States as minors.
February 2011: Published The Speech as a Book
In February 2011, Nation Books published Bernie Sanders' speech as The Speech: A Historic Filibuster on Corporate Greed and the Decline of Our Middle Class.
August 2011: High approval rating as US senator
In August 2011, polling found that Sanders's approval rating was 67% and his disapproval rating 28%, making him then the third-most popular US senator.
2011: Considered challenging Obama in primary
In 2011, Sanders suggested it was a good idea for someone to challenge Obama and got so close to running a primary challenge that Senator Harry Reid had to intervene.
2012: Reelected to Senate
Bernie Sanders was reelected to the Senate in 2012 with 71% of the vote.
2012: Considered running against Obama in primaries
During the 2012 Democratic presidential primaries, Sanders reportedly considered running against President Obama due to dissatisfaction with Obama's attempts to trade Social Security cuts for tax hikes.
2012: Sanders Declined Vermont Democratic Party Nomination for U.S. Senate in 2012
In 2012, Sanders declined the Vermont Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Senate, which later caused an unsuccessful legal challenge to his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016.
November 2013: Sanders suggests Elizabeth Warren could be president
In November 2013, Sanders suggested that Senator Elizabeth Warren could be president and that she might earn his backing if she ran.
2013: Burlington Ranked a Top Livable City
As of 2013, Burlington, where Bernie Sanders once served as mayor, was regarded as one of the most livable cities in the United States.
2013: Chaired Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
From 2013, Sanders chaired the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee.
2013: Larry Sanders retired from Oxfordshire County Council
In 2013, Bernie Sanders's elder brother, Larry, retired from the Oxfordshire County Council, where he represented the East Oxford division.
2013: Sanders supported immigration reform bill
In 2013, Sanders supported the Gang of Eight's comprehensive immigration reform bill after securing a $1.5 billion youth jobs program provision.
2013: Legislation to strengthen Older Americans Act
In 2013, as chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging, Sanders introduced legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the Older Americans Act, which supports Meals on Wheels and other programs for seniors.
2013: Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs
In 2013-14, Sanders was chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs during the Veterans Health Administration scandal.
June 9, 2014: Sponsorship of Veterans' Access to Care Act
On June 9, 2014, Sanders sponsored the Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014 to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs.
July 31, 2014: Veterans' Access to Care Act passes both chambers
On July 31, 2014, Sanders' bill, incorporated into the House version of the Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014, passed both chambers of Congress.
August 7, 2014: Veterans' Access to Care Act signed into law
On August 7, 2014, the Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014, which included Sanders' bill, was signed into law by President Obama.
December 2014: Warren said she was not running
In December 2014, Elizabeth Warren said she was not running for president.
2014: Ranked third of The Forward 50
In 2014, Sanders ranked third of The Forward 50.
April 30, 2015: Announcement of presidential candidacy
On April 30, 2015, Sanders announced his intention to seek the Democratic Party's nomination for president.
May 2015: DNC Announces Debate Schedule
In May 2015, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced that there would be six debates. Critics suggested this was a deliberate attempt to protect Hillary Clinton, who was considered the front-runner.
June 2015: Campaign events draw overflow crowds
In June 2015, Sanders's campaign events drew overflow crowds across the country, surpassing Hillary Clinton's crowd sizes in Iowa despite Clinton's visit being her first in the state that year.
July 1, 2015: Campaign stop in Madison
On July 1, 2015, Sanders' campaign stop in Madison, Wisconsin, drew the largest crowd of any 2016 presidential candidate to that date, with an estimated turnout of 10,000.
July 29, 2015: Online meetup with supporters
On July 29, 2015, a meetup organized online brought 100,000 Sanders' supporters to more than 3,500 simultaneous events nationwide.
September 2015: New York Times Coverage of Sanders Campaign Criticized
In September 2015, the New York Times' ombudsman reviewed the paper's coverage of the Sanders campaign and found that it "hasn't always taken it very seriously." The coverage was scanter than coverage of Trump's campaign at the time.
October 2015: Remarks on Religion on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
In October 2015, during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Bernie Sanders discussed his views on religion, describing himself as culturally Jewish but not particularly religious, and stating his belief in God in a non-traditional sense, emphasizing the interconnectedness of life.
November 15, 2015: Sanders Cautions Against Islamophobia After Paris Attacks
On November 15, 2015, in response to the ISIL attacks in Paris, Bernie Sanders cautioned against Islamophobia and emphasized the need to be tough but not stupid in the war against ISIL, while also advocating for welcoming Syrian refugees.
November 2015: Sanders Delivers Speech on Democratic Socialism
In November 2015, Bernie Sanders gave a speech at Georgetown University about his view of democratic socialism, defining it as ensuring a decent standard of living for the middle class and working families.
November 2015: Most popular US senator
In a November 2015 Morning Consult poll, Sanders reached an 83% approval rating among his constituents, making him the most popular US senator.
December 4, 2015: Won Time's Person of the Year readers' poll
On December 4, 2015, Bernie Sanders won Time's 2015 Person of the Year readers' poll with 10.2% of the vote.
December 2015: Major Networks Report Unequal Coverage of Candidates
In December 2015, a report found that the three major networks—CBS, NBC, and ABC—had spent 234 minutes reporting on Trump and 10 minutes on Sanders, despite their similar polling results.
2015: Attended Tashlikh Ceremony
In 2015, Bernie Sanders attended a Tashlikh atonement ceremony with the mayor of Lynchburg on the afternoon of Rosh Hashanah.
2015: Larry Sanders ran for Oxford West and Abingdon
In 2015, Bernie Sanders's brother, Larry, ran as a Green Party candidate for Oxford West and Abingdon.
2015: Ranking minority member on Senate Budget Committee
In 2015, Sanders became the ranking minority member on the Senate Budget Committee.
2015: End of term as chair of Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee
In 2015, Sanders' term as chair of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee ended.
2015: Sanders Receives Disproportionately High Media Coverage Compared to Polling
In 2015, a study found that Sanders received media coverage that far exceeded his standing in the polls. The media coverage was also more favorable than that of other candidates.
January 2016: Presidential campaign fundraising
By the end of January 2016, Sanders' presidential campaign had reached 3.25 million donations, raising $20 million in that month alone.
February 6, 2016: Guest Appearance on 'Saturday Night Live'
On February 6, 2016, Bernie Sanders guest-starred on "Saturday Night Live" alongside Larry David, playing a Polish immigrant on a sinking steamship near the Statue of Liberty.
February 2016: Clinton and Sanders Campaigns Agree to More Debates
In February 2016, the Clinton and Sanders campaigns agreed in principle to holding four more debates, bringing the total to ten. However, Clinton later dropped out of the tenth debate, citing the need to focus on California voters and prepare for the general election.
March 2016: Sanders' Speech Not Broadcast on Super Tuesday III
On March 2016, during Super Tuesday III, Amy Goodman noted that while speeches of Trump, Clinton, Rubio, and Cruz were broadcast, Sanders's speech in Phoenix, Arizona, was not, despite his rally being larger.
March 17, 2016: Support for Merrick Garland's nomination
On March 17, 2016, Sanders said he would support Merrick Garland's nomination to the Supreme Court, while also mentioning that there are more progressive judges.
March 20, 2016: Given honorary Lushootseed name
On March 20, 2016, Bernie Sanders was given an honorary Lushootseed name, dxʷshudičup, by Deborah Parker in Seattle.
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.
April 2016: Formation of Brand New Congress
In April 2016, former campaign staffers formed Brand New Congress, a political organization that works to elect congressional representatives with platforms in line with Sanders.
May 2016: Polls Indicate Sanders Would Outperform Clinton Against Trump
In May 2016, an NBC/Wall Street Journal poll found that Sanders would perform better against Trump than Clinton. While Clinton and Trump were unpopular, Sanders received a positive rating.
July 12, 2016: Endorsement of Hillary Clinton
On July 12, 2016, Sanders formally endorsed Clinton in her unsuccessful general election campaign against Republican Donald Trump.
July 2016: DNC emails leaked showing favor for Clinton
In July 2016, Democratic National Committee emails leaked to the public showed that the committee leadership had favored Clinton over Sanders and had worked to help Clinton win the nomination.
July 2016: Democratic Platform Drafted as Monument to Sanders' Campaign
In July 2016, a Slate article called the Democratic platform draft "a monument to his campaign", noting his call for a $15 minimum wage and other campaign issues.
August 2016: Formation of Our Revolution
In August 2016, Sanders formed Our Revolution, a political organization dedicated to educating voters, involving people in politics, and electing progressive candidates.
November 2016: Publication of Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In
In November 2016, Sanders's book Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In was released and became a New York Times Best Seller.
2016: Suggested the Democratic Party undergo a series of reforms
After Trump's victory in the 2016 elections, Bernie Sanders suggested the Democratic Party undergo a series of reforms to become a grass-roots party of working people.
2016: Influence on the Democratic Party
After his 2016 campaign, Sanders is credited with influencing a leftward shift in the Democratic Party.
2016: Sanders Endorses Clinton at the Democratic National Convention
After the final primary election in 2016, Clinton became the presumptive Democratic nominee. On July 12, Sanders formally endorsed Clinton. He spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention on July 25, giving Clinton his full support.
2016: Sanders Supports Repealing Gun Manufacturer Immunity Law
As of 2016, Bernie Sanders has said that he would support repealing the law that gave gun manufacturers legal immunity against claims of negligence.
2016: Changed Position on Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act
As of 2016, Bernie Sanders stated that he had changed his position on the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act and would vote for legislation to defeat the bill.
2016: Presidential campaign events
During his presidential campaign in 2016, Sanders drew large crowds to his campaign events.
2016: Disclosure of Religious and Spiritual Feelings
In 2016, Bernie Sanders disclosed 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, such as hungry children and homeless veterans.
2016: Voted for Federal Reserve Transparency Act
In 2016, Bernie Sanders voted for the Federal Reserve Transparency Act, which included proposals for a reformed audit of the Federal Reserve System.
2016: Clinton Beats Trump in Popular Vote
In 2016, Hillary Clinton beat Donald Trump by 3 million votes in the national popular vote, a point Bernie Sanders referenced when defending his belief in a woman's ability to win the presidency.
2016: Joan Mahoney's Interview About Sanders
In 2016, Joan Mahoney described Sanders as a 'swell guy' and noted his ability to work with diverse groups.
2016: Russia interfered in US elections
In 2016, Russia interfered in the US elections, which Sanders voiced concern about.
2016: Sanders 2016 Presidential Races
In 2016, Sanders had presidential races.
2016: Ranked first of The Forward 50
In 2016, Sanders ranked first of The Forward 50.
2016: Sought the Democratic Presidential Nomination
In 2016, Sanders sought the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.
2016: Media Coverage of Sanders Aligns with Polling Performance
In 2016, a study concluded that the amount of media coverage Sanders received was largely consistent with his polling performance, although he still received less coverage than Hillary Clinton overall.
2016: Emergence of Bernie Sanders' Dank Meme Stash
In 2016, during the Democratic primary season, the Facebook group Bernie Sanders' Dank Meme Stash gained significant attention for its unique focus on creating and sharing memes about Bernie Sanders.
2016: Sanders Campaign Allegedly Prevented Russian Meddling
In 2016, the Sanders campaign claimed to have taken action to prevent Russian meddling in the election and alerted the Clinton campaign to suspicious activities, though it was a volunteer and not the campaign.
2016: Unsuccessful Legal Challenge to Sanders' Candidacy for Democratic Presidential Nomination
In 2016, there was an unsuccessful legal challenge to Sanders' candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination due to him declining the Vermont Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Senate.
2016: Described his upbringing as an American Jew
In a 2016 speech, Bernie Sanders described his upbringing as an American Jew, noting his family's limited religious observances.
2016: Sanders Critiques Russian Interference in US Elections
In a September 2017 speech, Bernie Sanders spoke critically of Russian interference in the 2016 US elections and President Trump's handling of the crisis.
2016: Sanders builds Email List
Sanders built a large email list during the 2016 campaign.
2016: Ran as a Democrat in presidential campaign
Starting with his 2016 presidential campaign, Bernie Sanders ran as a Democrat, although his Senate website continued to refer to him as an independent.
March 2017: Highest net favorability among politicians
In March 2017, Fox News found Sanders to have the highest net favorability at +28 points of any prominent politician included in its poll.
April 2, 2017: The Bernie Sanders Show Guests
On April 2, 2017, guests on the Bernie Sanders Show included William Barber, Josh Fox, Jane Mayer, and Bill Nye.
April 2017: Bill to raise minimum wage for federal contract workers
In April 2017, Sanders introduced a bill that would raise the minimum wage for federal contract workers to $15 an hour.
April 2017: Highest favorability rating among political figures
In April 2017, a nationwide Harvard-Harris Poll found that Sanders had the highest favorability rating among all the political figures included in the poll.
May 4, 2017: Affordable Care Act repeal prediction
On May 4, 2017, Sanders predicted that "thousands of Americans would die" due to lack of healthcare access following the House vote to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. PolitiFact rated his statement "mostly true."
May 30, 2017: Received honorary degree from Brooklyn College
On May 30, 2017, Bernie Sanders received an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Brooklyn College.
September 2017: Sanders Lays Out Foreign Policy Plan
In September 2017, Bernie Sanders delivered a speech at Westminster College outlining a foreign policy plan focused on international collaboration, adherence to agreements like the Paris Agreement and the Iran nuclear deal, and promotion of human rights.
September 2017: Medicare for All bill submission
In September 2017, Sanders, along with 15 Senate co-sponsors, submitted the Medicare for All bill, a single-payer healthcare plan covering vision and dental care.
October 2017: Said he would run for reelection as an independent
In October 2017, Bernie Sanders said he would run for reelection as an independent in 2018.
November 2017: Call to end global oligarchy
In November 2017, after revelations from the Paradise Papers, Sanders stated that "we must end global oligarchy" and called for a fair, progressive, and transparent tax system.
2017: Criticized Trump and Trumpism
In 2017, Bernie Sanders criticized President Trump for appointing billionaires to his cabinet and rolling back Obama's Clean Power Plan, also promising to defeat "Trump and Trumpism and the Republican right-wing ideology".
2017: Criticized Republicans' use of reconciliation to pass 2017 tax cuts
In 2017, Bernie Sanders criticized Republicans' use of reconciliation to pass tax cuts.
2017: Drew parallels between his campaign and that of the Labour Party in the UK
In 2017, Bernie Sanders drew parallels between his campaign and that of the Labour Party in the 2017 UK general election, urging the Democrats to adopt a progressive manifesto.
2017: Analysis of Sanders Voters in 2016 General Election
In 2017, an analysis in Newsweek found that 12% of those who voted for Sanders in the Democratic primary voted for Trump in the general election, a lower proportion than that of Clinton supporters in 2008 who voted for John McCain.
2017: Chair of Senate Democratic Outreach Committee
Since 2017, Sanders has been the chair of the Senate Democratic Outreach Committee.
January 2018: Online Reply to Trump's State of the Union Address
In January 2018, Bernie Sanders gave an online reply to Trump's State of the Union address, calling Trump "compulsively dishonest" and criticizing him for initiating "a looming immigration crisis" by ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. He also voiced concern about Russia's interference in the 2016 election.
February 2018: Mueller Investigation Concludes Russians Aided Sanders's Campaign
In February 2018, Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation concluded that Russians had communicated false information during the primary campaigns to help Sanders and Stein and harm Clinton. Sanders rejected this conclusion.
April 2018: Shifting of the Democratic Party Politically Leftward
In April 2018, an opinion article in The Week suggested that the Democratic Party was admitting that Sanders was right, noting the increasing acceptance of his stances on healthcare, minimum wage, and free college tuition.
May 9, 2018: Introduction of the Workplace Democracy Act
On May 9, 2018, Sanders introduced the Workplace Democracy Act, a bill aimed at expanding labor rights by making it easier for workers to join a union and banning right-to-work laws.
September 5, 2018: Introduction of the Stop BEZOS Act
On September 5, 2018, Sanders partnered with Ro Khanna to introduce the Stop Bad Employers by Zeroing Out Subsidies (Stop BEZOS) Act, which would require large corporations to pay for the food stamps and Medicaid benefits their employees receive.
October 2018: US support for Saudi-led intervention in Yemen
In October 2018, after the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, Senator Sanders' bill to end US support for the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen attracted bipartisan support in the Senate, eventually passing by a vote of 56-41.
November 2018: Launch of Progressive International
In November 2018, the Sanders Institute and Yanis Varoufakis launched Progressive International, uniting progressive activists to transform the global order.
December 2018: DNC Announces Debate Schedule
In December 2018, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced the preliminary schedule for 12 official DNC-sanctioned debates, starting in June 2019.
2018: Reelected to Senate
Bernie Sanders was reelected to the Senate in 2018 with 67% of the vote.
2018: Returned to Stannard for Campaign Event
During his 2018 reelection campaign, Sanders returned to Stannard, Vermont, to hold an event with voters and other candidates.
2018: Ran for reelection as an independent
In 2018, Bernie Sanders ran for reelection as an independent.
2018: Reelected in the United States Senate election in Vermont
In 2018, Bernie Sanders won reelection in the United States Senate election in Vermont, continuing his strategy of running as an independent.
2018: Warren Claims Sanders Made Sexist Remark
In 2018, Elizabeth Warren allegedly claimed that Bernie Sanders told her privately that a woman could not win the election. This allegation was brought up during a CNN debate in 2020.
2018: Analysis of Media Narrative in 2016 Election
In 2018, Rachel Bitecofer wrote in her book that the Democratic primary was effectively over in terms of delegate count by mid-March 2016, but the media promoted a narrative that the contest between Sanders and Clinton was "heating up" at that time.
2018: Sanders Declined Vermont Democratic Party Nomination for U.S. Senate in 2018
In 2018, Sanders declined the Vermont Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Senate, which later caused an unsuccessful legal challenge to his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016.
2018: Opposition to Trump's federal budget
In 2018, Sanders opposed the United States federal budget proposed by the Trump administration, calling it "a budget for the billionaire class" and a transfer of wealth from working families to the top 1%.
February 19, 2019: Sanders Announces 2020 Presidential Campaign
On February 19, 2019, Sanders announced his candidacy for the Democratic Party's 2020 presidential nomination.
March 5, 2019: Sanders Signs Democratic Party Loyalty Pledge
On March 5, 2019, Sanders signed a formal statement, known as a "loyalty pledge", affirming his membership in the Democratic Party and his commitment to serving as a Democrat if elected.
March 2019: Signed "loyalty pledge" to the Democratic Party
In March 2019, Bernie Sanders signed a formal "loyalty pledge" to the Democratic Party.
April 6, 2019: Sanders Participates in Fox News Town Hall
On April 6, 2019, Bernie Sanders participated in a Fox News town hall, attracting over 2.55 million viewers. His appearance was controversial due to the DNC's decision not to allow Fox to host debates, but it led to a significant increase in Fox News viewers.
May 1, 2019: Sanders Tweets About China Trade Deal
On May 1, 2019, Bernie Sanders tweeted about the China trade deal he voted against, stating that America had lost over three million manufacturing jobs since its implementation.
June 2019: Sanders Campaign Raises Most Money in Democratic Field
As of June 2019, the Sanders campaign had raised the most money in the 2020 Democratic field, including money left over from his 2018 Senate and 2016 presidential races.
June 2019: DNC Debates Begin
In June 2019, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) sanctioned debates began, with six debates in 2019 and six more scheduled during the first four months of 2020.
August 6, 2019: Sanders Appears on The Joe Rogan Experience
On August 6, 2019, Bernie Sanders appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, drawing praise and surprise. The podcast's popularity led to Rogan becoming a trending topic on Twitter, with Rogan expressing his support for Sanders after the interview.
August 2019: Sanders Receives Third-Most Mentions on Major News Networks
According to a RealClearPolitics analysis, Sanders received the third-most mentions on CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC between January and August 2019, trailing only Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Online mentions showed a more balanced picture.
September 2019: YouTube Views of Town Hall Exceed 1.5 Million
As of September 2019, the Fox News town hall featuring Bernie Sanders had received more than 1.5 million views on YouTube.
September 2019: Sanders Polls Between 15% and 20% in National Surveys
In September 2019, Sanders polled between 15% and 20% on most national surveys, placing him second behind Joe Biden.
September 2019: Sanders Campaign Reaches One Million Donors
In September 2019, the Sanders campaign became the fastest in US history to reach one million donors.
October 1, 2019: Sanders Campaign Raises $25.3 Million in Third Quarter
On October 1, 2019, the Sanders campaign announced it had raised $25.3 million in the year's third quarter, with an average donation of $18, making it the largest quarterly sum raised by any Democratic candidate.
October 2019: Podcast Views Exceed Ten Million
As of October 2019, The Joe Rogan Experience podcast featuring Bernie Sanders had received more than ten million views on YouTube.
December 2019: Released letters from physicians
In December 2019, three months after his heart attack, Bernie Sanders released letters from physicians declaring him healthy and recovered from his heart condition.
2019: Sanders Supports Green New Deal
In 2019, Bernie Sanders announced his support for Green New Deal legislation and proposed legislation with representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Earl Blumenauer to declare climate change a national and international emergency.
January 2020: Sanders Criticizes Soleimani Assassination
In January 2020, Bernie Sanders criticized the drone assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, calling it a dangerous escalation that could lead to an expensive war.
February 2020: Sanders Leads in Democratic Primary Polling
From mid-February 2020 to the start of March, Sanders polled in first place in the Democratic primary ahead of Joe Biden and was described by the press as the party's presidential front-runner.
April 8, 2020: Sanders Suspends Campaign
On April 8, 2020, Bernie Sanders announced he was suspending his presidential campaign but would remain on the ballot to influence the Democratic Party's platform.
2020: "I am once again asking for your financial support" Meme
During the 2020 primary season, a still from a fundraising video, featuring Bernie Sanders saying "I am once again asking for your financial support", became a viral internet meme.
2020: Voted to Convict Trump in First Impeachment Trial
In 2020, Bernie Sanders voted to convict Trump on both articles of his first impeachment trial.
2020: Sanders 2020 Campaign
In 2020, NPR described Sanders as "no longer an underdog" when he announced his campaign, his campaign enlisted several former NowThis News employees to produce professional videos, live-streamed various forums, and launched a podcast and smartphone app.
2020: Sought the Democratic Presidential Nomination
In 2020, Sanders again sought the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.
2020: Sanders Seeks Democratic Party's 2020 Nomination
In 2020, Sanders sought the Democratic Party's nomination for president.
2020: Small-Dollar Contributions to Sanders' 2020 Campaign
In 2020, Sanders's campaign relied predominantly on small-dollar contributions.
2020: DNC Debates Continue
In 2020, the remaining six Democratic National Committee (DNC) sanctioned debates occurred during the first four months of the year.
2020: Sanders and Warren Questioned at CNN Debate
In January 2020, at a CNN debate, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren were questioned about an allegation that Sanders had told Warren in 2018 that a woman could not defeat Donald Trump.
January 6, 2021: Commented on the Attack on the United States Capitol
On January 6, 2021, following the attack on the United States Capitol by Trump supporters, Bernie Sanders commented that Trump would "go down in history as the worst and most dangerous president in history".
February 23, 2021: Opposed Biden's Cabinet Pick
On February 23, 2021, Bernie Sanders opposed one of Biden's cabinet picks, voting against Tom Vilsack's confirmation as Agriculture Secretary due to concerns about Vilsack's ties to large corporations.
March 11, 2021: Supported American Rescue Plan Act
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which Bernie Sanders strongly supported, was signed into law by Biden.
2021: Chaired Senate Budget Committee
From 2021, Sanders chaired the Senate Budget Committee.
2021: Voted to Convict Trump in Second Impeachment Trial
In 2021, Bernie Sanders voted to convict Trump on the sole article of his second impeachment trial for inciting the Capitol attack.
2021: Inauguration Mittens Meme
In 2021, a photo of Bernie Sanders at Joe Biden's inauguration, seated in a folding chair and wearing patterned mittens, went viral and was widely edited into other images.
August 2022: Voted for Inflation Reduction Act
In August 2022, Bernie Sanders voted for the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which capped the cost of insulin for seniors on Medicare to $35 a month and allowed Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices.
2022: Commented on the importance of the midterm elections
Before the 2022 midterm election, Bernie Sanders called it "the most consequential midterm election" of modern US history, viewing it as deciding the fate of democracy, abortion, and climate change.
2022: Signed letters to support California Proposition 12
In 2022, Sanders signed letters to Vilsack and Elizabeth Prelogar asking them to support the California farm animal welfare law Proposition 12 against a challenge to the law the National Pork Producers Council filed before the Supreme Court.
2022: Sanders voted to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson
In 2022, Sanders voted to confirm Joe Biden's nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court.
2022: Republican nominee Gerald Malloy ran against Senator Peter Welch
In the same year that Bernie Sanders announced his candidacy for a fourth Senate term, it was noted that his Republican nominee Gerald Malloy, ran against Senator Peter Welch in 2022.
April 2023: Endorsed Biden in 2024 Presidential Election
In April 2023, Bernie Sanders endorsed Biden in the 2024 United States presidential election.
2023: Chaired Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
In 2023, Sanders chaired the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and his term as chair of the Senate Budget Committee ended.
May 6, 2024: Announced Candidacy for Senate
On May 6, 2024, Bernie Sanders announced his candidacy for a fourth Senate term.
2024: Sanders Signs Paperwork to Run as an Independent for Senate Reelection in 2024
In 2024, Sanders signed paperwork to run as an independent for reelection to his Senate seat.
2024: Re-elected to U.S. Senate
In 2024, Sanders was reelected to the U.S. Senate.
2024: Trump's Reelection in 2024
In 2024, Trump's reelection and subsequent actions such as enacting Project 2025, caused consternation among Democrats.
2024: Endorsed Harris for president and blamed the Democratic Party's abandonment
In 2024, after Biden withdrew from the race, Sanders endorsed Harris for president at the Democratic National Convention. After Trump won the election, Sanders released a statement blaming the Democratic Party's abandonment of "working-class people" for its defeat.
2024: Value of $25 Fine in 2024
In 2024, the $25 fine Sanders received in 1963 is equivalent to $257.
2024: Signed paperwork to run as an independent for reelection to the Senate
In March 2019, Bernie Sanders signed paperwork to run as an independent for reelection to the Senate in 2024.
2024: Opposed Trump's Administration
Since Donald Trump's reelection as president in 2024, Sanders has vocally opposed Trump's administration, rallying against Trump and Elon Musk.
February 2025: Sanders Launches 'Fight Oligarchy' Tour
In February 2025, Bernie Sanders launched a "Fight Oligarchy" tour of Midwest districts to support Democrats in the 2026 House elections, following concerns about the Democratic Party's opposition during Trump's second presidency.
February 2025: Started "Fight Oligarchy Tour"
In late February 2025, Bernie Sanders began a "Fight Oligarchy Tour" in response to a tanking economy and alleged corruption, rallying crowds larger than his presidential campaign rallies.
March 2025: Sanders commends Trump on immigration policies
In a March 2025 interview, Sanders commended Trump for strengthening border immigration policies, adding, "nobody thinks illegal immigration is appropriate", while also criticizing mass deportation and calling for comprehensive immigration reform.
2025: End of term as chair of Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee
In 2025, Sanders' term as chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is expected to end.
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