Bernie Sanders's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Bernie Sanders.

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

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.

1981: Campaign against waterfront development

In 1981, Bernie Sanders campaigned against Burlington developer Tony Pomerleau's plans to convert the industrial waterfront into expensive condominiums, hotels, and offices. Running under the slogan "Burlington is not for sale," he successfully supported a plan to redevelop the area into a mixed-use district with housing, parks, and public spaces in 1981.

1981: Elected Mayor of Burlington

In 1981, Sanders ran as an independent for mayor of Burlington, Vermont, and defeated the Democratic incumbent.

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: Election to the U.S. House of Representatives

In 1991, Sanders became the first independent elected to the U.S. House of Representatives since 1952, defeating Peter P. Smith by a margin of 56% to 39%.

October 24, 1992: Cancer Registries Amendment Act signed into law

On October 24, 1992, President George H. W. Bush signed the Cancer Registries Amendment Act into law, after it was passed by the House on October 6.

2005: Called the "amendment king" by Rolling Stone

In 2005, Rolling Stone called Sanders the "amendment king" for passing more roll call amendments than any other congressman since 1995, a period when Congress was entirely under Republican control.

2006: Elected to U.S. Senate

In 2006, Sanders was elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the first non-Republican elected to Vermont's Class 1 seat since 1850.

2007: Became a senator

In 2007, Sanders became a senator.

February 4, 2009: Sponsored amendment to prevent TARP funds from displacing U.S. workers

On February 4, 2009, Sanders sponsored an amendment to ensure that TARP funds would not displace U.S. workers; the amendment passed and was added to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

August 2011: High Approval Rating in Polling

In August 2011, a poll found that Bernie Sanders's approval rating was 67%, making him the third-most popular U.S. senator.

2012: Re-elected to the U.S. Senate

In 2012, Sanders was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.

2012: Reelected in 2012

Sanders was reelected in 2012 with 71% of the vote.

July 31, 2014: Veterans' Access to Care Act Passes

On July 31, 2014, the House version of the Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act, which incorporated Bernie Sanders' bill, passed both chambers.

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 was signed into law by President Obama.

2014: Ranking in The Forward 50

In 2014, Bernie Sanders ranked third in The Forward 50.

June 2015: Campaign Event Crowds

In June 2015, Bernie Sanders's campaign events drew overflow crowds across the country.

July 1, 2015: Campaign Stop in Madison, Wisconsin

On July 1, 2015, Bernie Sanders's 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

On July 29, 2015, an online meetup organized for Bernie Sanders brought 100,000 supporters to more than 3,500 simultaneous events nationwide.

November 2015: Most Popular U.S. Senator

In November 2015, a poll indicated Bernie Sanders reached an 83% approval rating among his constituents, making him the most popular U.S. senator.

December 4, 2015: Won Time's 2015 Person of the Year Readers' Poll

On December 4, 2015, Sanders won Time's 2015 Person of the Year readers' poll with 10.2% of the vote but did not receive the editorial board's award.

January 2016: Campaign Fundraising Success

By the end of January 2016, Bernie Sanders's presidential campaign reached 3.25 million donations, raising $20 million in that month alone.

March 20, 2016: Given Honorary Lushootseed Name

On March 20, 2016, Sanders was given an honorary Lushootseed name, dxʷshudičup, by Deborah Parker in Seattle to honor his focus on Native American issues during his presidential campaign.

2016: Ranking in The Forward 50

In 2016, Bernie Sanders ranked first in The Forward 50.

2016: Sought Democratic presidential nomination

In 2016, Sanders sought the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. Sanders has been viewed as the leader of the modern American progressive movement.

2016: Major candidate for Democratic presidential nomination

In 2016, Sanders was a major candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, finishing in second place. His campaign generated significant grassroots enthusiasm and funding from small-dollar donors.

March 2017: Highest Net Favorability

In March 2017, a poll found Bernie Sanders to have the highest net favorability at +28 points of any prominent politician included.

April 2017: Highest Favorability Rating

In April 2017, a nationwide poll found that Bernie Sanders had the highest favorability rating among all the political figures included in the poll.

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.

2018: Re-elected to the U.S. Senate

In 2018, Sanders was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.

2018: Reelected in 2018

Sanders was reelected in 2018 with 67% of the vote.

June 2019: Sanders campaign leads in fundraising among Democratic candidates

According to Federal Election Commission filings, the Sanders campaign had raised the most money in the 2020 Democratic field as of June 2019, including money left over from his 2018 Senate and 2016 presidential races.

September 2019: Sanders campaign fastest to reach one million donors

In September 2019, the Sanders campaign became the fastest in U.S. history to reach one million donors, demonstrating significant grassroots support.

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 at that time.

February 2020: Sanders polled in first place in the Democratic primary

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.