History of Chris Hayes in Timeline

Chris Hayes is an American political commentator, television news anchor, and author best known for hosting "All In with Chris Hayes" on MSNBC. He also hosts the podcast "Why Is This Happening?" and is an editor-at-large for The Nation magazine. Previously, he hosted "Up with Chris Hayes" on MSNBC. Hayes is a prominent voice in progressive media, known for his in-depth analysis of political and social issues.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1917: Criticized Assange indictment

In 2010, Chris Hayes criticized the United States government's decision to charge WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange under the Espionage Act of 1917 for his role in the 2010 publication of a trove of Iraq War documents and diplomatic cables leaked by Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning.

February 28, 1979: Chris Hayes Born

On February 28, 1979, Christopher Loffredo Hayes was born. He is now known as an American political commentator, television news anchor, and author.

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August 2001: Contributor to Chicago Reader

In August 2001, Chris Hayes became a contributor to the independent weekly newspaper Chicago Reader, where he covered local and national politics for four years.

2001: Graduated from Brown University

In 2001, Chris Hayes graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy. He also met his future wife, Kate A. Shaw, at Brown.

2003: Senior Editor at In These Times

In 2003, Chris Hayes began a four-year stint at In These Times, a labor-focused monthly magazine based in Chicago, as a senior editor.

2005: Schumann Center Writing Fellow at In These Times

From 2005 to 2006, Chris Hayes was a Schumann Center Writing Fellow at In These Times.

2006: Puffin Foundation Writing Fellow at The Nation Institute

From 2006 through 2007, Chris Hayes was a Puffin Foundation Writing Fellow at The Nation Institute, and a contributing writer for The Nation.

November 1, 2007: Named Washington, D.C. editor for The Nation

On November 1, 2007, Chris Hayes was named the Washington, D.C. editor for The Nation, succeeding David Corn.

2008: Adjunct professor and Bernard L. Schwartz fellow

From 2008 to 2010, Chris Hayes was an adjunct professor of English at St. Augustine College in Chicago and a Bernard L. Schwartz fellow at New America Foundation.

2008: Brother Luke worked on Obama's campaign

In 2008, Chris Hayes' brother Luke worked on Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

2009: Reported on public option resuscitation

In 2009, Chris Hayes reported on progressive activists' work to resuscitate the "public option" during the 2009-2010 health care fight.

July 2010: Guest-hosted The Rachel Maddow Show

In July 2010, Chris Hayes guest-hosted The Rachel Maddow Show while Rachel Maddow was traveling in Afghanistan.

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November 5, 2010: Hayes to fill in for Keith Olbermann

On November 5, 2010, MSNBC announced that Chris Hayes would be filling in for Keith Olbermann during Olbermann's suspension. However, the network later backtracked after finding out that Hayes had also made political contributions.

2010: Adjunct professor and Bernard L. Schwartz fellow

From 2008 to 2010, Chris Hayes was an adjunct professor of English at St. Augustine College in Chicago and a Bernard L. Schwartz fellow at New America Foundation.

2010: Criticized Assange indictment

2010: Reported on public option resuscitation

In 2010, Chris Hayes reported on progressive activists' work to resuscitate the "public option" during the 2009-2010 health care fight.

August 1, 2011: MSNBC Announces "Up with Chris Hayes"

On August 1, 2011, MSNBC announced that Chris Hayes would host a two-hour morning show on Saturdays and Sundays, going into depth on current issues.

September 17, 2011: First Airing of Up with Chris Hayes

On September 17, 2011, the first airing of Up with Chris Hayes took place, featuring a live interview with Nancy Pelosi.

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May 27, 2012: Comments on Heroism

On May 27, 2012, Memorial Day Weekend, Chris Hayes made comments on air regarding the use of the word "heroism" as applied to American servicemen killed in action, generating widespread controversy. Hayes apologized on his blog.

June 2, 2012: Discussion on Comments and Military Disconnect

On his June 2, 2012, show, Chris Hayes devoted a discussion to his comments about heroism and the disconnect between civilians and the military, in response to the controversy generated.

June 2012: Twilight of the Elites Published

In June 2012, Chris Hayes' first book, Twilight of the Elites: America After Meritocracy, was published by Crown Publishing Group.

Twilight of the Elites: America After Meritocracy

Check it on Amazon

2012: Brother Luke worked on Obama's campaign

In 2012, Chris Hayes' brother Luke worked on Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

March 14, 2013: Named Host of Prime-Time Show on MSNBC

On March 14, 2013, MSNBC announced that Chris Hayes would take over the time slot formerly hosted by Ed Schultz. At 34 years old, he became the youngest host of a prime-time show on any of the country's major cable news channels.

April 1, 2013: Premiere of All In with Chris Hayes

On Monday, April 1, 2013, All In with Chris Hayes, Chris Hayes's first prime-time show, premiered on MSNBC.

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2015: Won an Emmy Award

In 2015, All In with Chris Hayes won an Emmy, recognizing the show's excellence.

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March 2017: A Colony in a Nation Published

In March 2017, Chris Hayes' second book, A Colony in a Nation (about the US criminal justice system), was published by W. W. Norton.

A Colony in a Nation

Check it on Amazon

April 2017: Featured author at L.A. Times Festival of Books

In April 2017, Chris Hayes was a featured author at the L.A. Times Festival of Books, which took place at the campus of University of Southern California (USC).

2017: Participated in Brooklyn Book Festival

In 2017, Chris Hayes participated in the Brooklyn Book Festival (BKBF).

May 2018: Launched "Why Is This Happening?" podcast

In May 2018, Chris Hayes launched a weekly podcast called Why Is This Happening?, featuring interviews with political figures, activists, journalists, writers, and academics.

November 2018: First live podcast episode recorded

In November 2018, Chris Hayes' podcast, Why Is This Happening?, recorded its first live episode at Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn, New York, featuring author Ta-Nehisi Coates.

2018: Won an Emmy Award

In 2018, All In with Chris Hayes won an Emmy, recognizing the show's excellence.

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February 24, 2019: Second live podcast episode

On February 24, 2019, Chris Hayes held the second live episode of his podcast, featuring an interview with Georgia politician and activist Stacey Abrams.

2019: Member of the Democratic Party

As of 2019, Chris Hayes is a member of the Democratic Party.

2020: Brother Luke campaign manager for Jamaal Bowman

In 2020, Chris Hayes' brother Luke served as the campaign manager for U.S. Congressman Jamaal Bowman.

January 28, 2025: The Sirens' Call: How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource Published

On January 28, 2025, Chris Hayes' third book, The Sirens' Call: How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource was published by Penguin Random House. The book explains how attention works and how society ended up in the "attention age."