Daniel Robert Graham was an American politician who served as the 38th governor of Florida from 1979 to 1987 and a United States senator from Florida from 1987 to 2005. A member of the Democratic Party, Graham also worked as a lawyer and author.
1952: Starts Miami Senior High School
Bob Graham started attending Miami Senior High School in 1952.
1955: Graduates Miami Senior High School
Bob Graham graduated from Miami Senior High School in 1955.
1959: Graduation from University of Florida
Bob Graham earned his bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Florida in 1959.
1959: Graduates from the University of Florida
Bob Graham received a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Florida in 1959.
1962: Graduates from Harvard Law School
Bob Graham earned a Bachelor of Laws from Harvard Law School in 1962.
1970: Elected to the Florida Senate
Bob Graham was elected to the Florida Senate in 1970, representing Dade County.
1972: Re-elected to the Florida Senate
Bob Graham was reelected to the Florida Senate in 1972, representing District 33.
1974: Inspired to Understand Constituents' Jobs
In 1974, Bob Graham was inspired to experience the jobs of his constituents. This led to his "workday" campaign strategy.
1976: Re-elected to the Florida Senate Again
Bob Graham was reelected to the Florida Senate again in 1976, representing District 33.
1977: Begins "Workday" Campaign Strategy
Bob Graham began his "workday" campaign strategy in 1977, working various jobs to connect with Florida's constituents.
1978: Florida Gubernatorial Election Victory
Bob Graham won the 1978 Florida gubernatorial election.
1978: Continues "Workday" Campaign Strategy
Bob Graham continued his "workday" campaign strategy into 1978, performing 100 workdays in various roles.
1978: Wins Seven-Way Democratic Primary
Bob Graham won a seven-way Democratic primary race in 1978, securing his position in the Florida gubernatorial election.
1979: Beginning of Governorship
Bob Graham began his term as the 38th governor of Florida in 1979.
1982: Re-election as Florida Governor
Bob Graham was reelected as the governor of Florida in 1982.
1986: Elected to the US Senate
Bob Graham defeated incumbent Republican Senator Paula Hawkins in the 1986 Senate elections.
1986: First US Senate Election Victory
Bob Graham was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1986, defeating incumbent Senator Paula Hawkins.
1987: Start of Senate Term
Bob Graham began his term as a United States Senator from Florida in 1987.
1988: Consideration for Vice President
In 1988, Bob Graham was considered as a Democratic nominee for Vice President of the United States.
1992: Second US Senate Election Victory
Bob Graham was reelected to the U.S. Senate in 1992, defeating Bill Grant.
1992: Finalist for Vice President
In 1992, Bob Graham was a finalist on Bill Clinton's shortlist for running mates for the Vice President of the United States.
1998: Third US Senate Election Victory
Bob Graham was reelected to the U.S. Senate in 1998, defeating Charlie Crist.
2000: Shortlisted for Vice President
In 2000, Bob Graham was reportedly on Al Gore's shortlist for running mate for Vice President of the United States.
December 2002: Presidential Candidacy Announcement
Bob Graham announced his candidacy for President of the United States in the 2004 election in December 2002.
October 2003: Withdrawal from Presidential Race
Bob Graham withdrew from the 2004 Presidential race in October 2003, several months after undergoing heart surgery.
2003: Graham's Notebooks and Potential Vice Presidential Candidacy
In 2003, Salon.com suggested that Bob Graham's meticulous habit of logging his daily activities in color-coded notebooks may have harmed his standing as a potential vice presidential candidate. The notebooks, containing entries on even mundane activities, are now housed at the University of Florida library.
2004: Declines to Seek Re-election
Bob Graham chose not to seek reelection to the US Senate in 2004.
2004: Publication of "Intelligence Matters"
Bob Graham published his book "Intelligence Matters: The CIA, the FBI, Saudi Arabia and the Failure of America's War on Terror" in 2004.
2004: Presidential Candidacy Withdrawal
Bob Graham ran for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination, but dropped out before the first primaries.
2004: Retirement from Senate
Bob Graham retired from the Senate in 2004 after withdrawing from the Presidential race.
2004: Consideration for Vice President
In 2004, Bob Graham was considered as a Democratic nominee for Vice President of the United States.
January 2005: Retires from the Senate
Bob Graham retired from the Senate in January 2005 after 38 consecutive years in public office.
November 18, 2005: Renaming of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge
On November 18, 2005, the Florida Legislature renamed the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which was rebuilt during Bob Graham's time as governor, to the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
2005: End of Senate Term
Bob Graham's term as a United States Senator from Florida ended in 2005.
2005: Fellowship at Harvard University
Bob Graham spent the 2005-2006 academic year as a fellow at the Institute of Politics at Harvard University. He taught a weekly study group about effective citizenship and resided with his wife among undergraduates in Mather House.
May 6, 2006: Honorary Doctorate from the University of Florida
On May 6, 2006, Bob Graham received an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from the University of Florida during the spring commencement for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
2006: Continued Fellowship and Book Beginnings
Bob Graham continued his fellowship at Harvard University in 2006. During this time, he began work on his book about effective citizenship, later titled "America, the Owner's Manual", drawing on his experiences and the insights of his undergraduate assistants and professors.
February 9, 2008: Dedication of Pugh Hall
On February 9, 2008, The James and Alexis Pugh Hall, funded by longtime friends of the Graham family, was dedicated at the University of Florida. The building, located in the historic area of campus, houses the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, as well as the university's oral history and African and Asian languages programs.
2009: Publication of "America, the Owner's Manual"
Bob Graham published his book "America, the Owner's Manual: Making Government Work for You" in 2009. The book focuses on inspiring and teaching citizens how to effectively participate in democracy.
2011: Publication of "The Keys to the Kingdom"
In 2011, Bob Graham published his first novel, a thriller titled "The Keys to the Kingdom".
2015: Gwen Graham's Congressional Term Begins
Bob Graham's daughter, Gwen Graham, began her term as a U.S. Representative from Florida in 2015.
2017: Gwen Graham's Congressional Term Ends
Bob Graham's daughter, Gwen Graham's term as a U.S. Representative from Florida ended in 2017.
2020: Health Decline Following Stroke
Bob Graham's health declined after he suffered a stroke in 2020.
2021: Gwen Graham Confirmed as Assistant Secretary of Education
In 2021, Bob Graham's daughter, Gwen Graham, was confirmed as Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of Education.
April 16, 2024: Death of Bob Graham
Bob Graham passed away on April 16, 2024.