Childhood and Education Journey of Colin Powell in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Colin Powell. A timeline of key moments.

Colin Powell was a prominent American statesman, diplomat, and army officer. He achieved several historic firsts, including serving as the first African-American United States Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005. Earlier in his career, he was the 15th National Security Advisor (1987-1989) and the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989-1993), solidifying his place as a significant figure in American political and military history.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

April 5, 1937: Colin Powell's Birth

On April 5, 1937, Colin Luther Powell was born. He would later become an American statesman, diplomat, and army officer.

1937: Powell's Birth in New York City

In 1937, Colin Powell was born in New York City to Jamaican immigrant parents and raised in the South Bronx.

1954: Graduation from Morris High School

In 1954, Colin Powell graduated from Morris High School.

1958: Graduation from City College of New York

In 1958, Colin Powell received a bachelor of science degree in geology from the City College of New York.

1958: Commissioned as Second Lieutenant

In 1958, after earning a bachelor's degree and participating in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), Colin Powell was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

August 1962: Marriage to Alma Johnson

On August 25, 1962, Colin Powell married Alma Johnson.

1971: Earned MBA from George Washington University

In 1971, Colin Powell earned a Master of Business Administration degree from George Washington University.

1971: Graduation from George Washington University

In 1971, Colin Powell graduated from George Washington University with an MBA.

1975: Attendance to the National War College

From 1975, Colin Powell attended the National War College in Washington, D.C.

1976: Graduation from the National War College

In 1976, Colin Powell graduated from the National War College in Washington, D.C.

1989: Prediction of Future Role

In 1989, Colin Powell opened a note predicting he would become Chief of Staff of the United States Army.

1989: Invasion of Panama

In 1989, Colin Powell oversaw responses to 28 crises, including the invasion of Panama to remove General Manuel Noriega from power.

1990: Honorary Doctorate from George Washington University

In 1990, Colin Powell received an honorary doctor of public service from George Washington University.

1991: Application of Powell Doctrine in Operation Desert Storm

In 1991, Colin Powell applied his approach to military conflicts that maximizes the potential for success and minimizes casualties, dubbed the Powell Doctrine, to Operation Desert Storm.

1991: Operation Desert Storm

In 1991, Colin Powell oversaw responses to 28 crises, including Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf War, applying an approach he dubbed the Powell Doctrine.

1992: Potential Vice Presidential Nominee

In 1992, Colin Powell was considered a potential Democratic vice presidential nominee in the U.S. presidential election.

September 1993: Resignation as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

On 30 September 1993, Colin Powell resigned early from his tenure as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, following disagreements and irritation with Secretary of Defense Leslie Aspin.

October 1993: Battle of Mogadishu

In early October 1993, specifically on the 3rd and 4th, the Battle of Mogadishu, an operation aiming to capture Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid, occurred shortly after Colin Powell's resignation and ended in disaster.

1995: Powell Becomes a Republican

Colin Powell became a moderate Republican in 1995, after being an independent during his early political career.

1995: Declared Republican

In 1995, Colin Powell declared himself a Republican and began campaigning for Republican candidates.

1996: Declined Presidential Run

In 1996, Colin Powell was touted as a possible opponent of Bill Clinton in the U.S. presidential election but declined, citing a lack of passion for politics.

2000: Powell's statement on Saddam Hussein

As early as 2000, on the day Colin Powell was nominated to be Secretary of State, he told the press "Saddam is sitting on a failed regime that is not going to be around in a few years time".

2000: Endorsement of George W. Bush

In 2000, Colin Powell decided against running for president and endorsed Texas Governor George W. Bush, speaking at the Republican National Convention.

September 2001: Response to 9/11

On 11 September 2001, while in Lima, Peru, for a meeting of foreign ministers, Colin Powell's role as Secretary of State became critically important in managing international relationships and securing a coalition in the War on Terrorism following the terror attacks.

2001: Son Appointed FCC Chairman

In 2001, Michael Powell, Colin Powell's son, became the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

2001: Action Against Al-Qaeda

In 2001, before 9/11, Richard A. Clarke pushed the new Bush administration for action against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan, a move opposed by Paul Wolfowitz. Colin Powell refers to members of Donald Rumsfeld's staff as the "JINSA crowd."

November 2004: Resignation as Secretary of State

In November 2004, Colin Powell announced his resignation as Secretary of State on 15 November, shortly after George W. Bush was reelected, following Bush's desire communicated via Andrew Card, and was succeeded by Condoleezza Rice.

September 2005: Powell Criticizes Hurricane Katrina Response

In September 2005, Powell criticized the response to Hurricane Katrina, stating that thousands of people were not adequately protected due to their poverty.

2005: Son Leaves FCC

In 2005, Michael Powell, Colin Powell's son, ended his term as the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

2007: Powell Donates to McCain's Campaign

In 2007, Colin Powell donated the maximum allowable amount to John McCain's campaign.

October 2008: Powell Endorses Barack Obama for President

On October 19, 2008, Colin Powell announced his endorsement of Barack Obama for president, citing his ability to inspire and the inclusive nature of his campaign, as well as questioning McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as VP.

December 2008: Powell States Palin Pushed the Republican Party Further to the Right

In a December 2008 CNN interview, Powell reiterated his belief that during the last few months of the campaign, Palin pushed the Republican party further to the right and had a polarizing impact on it.

2008: Powell Considered as McCain's Running Mate

In early 2008, Colin Powell's name was listed as a possible running mate for Republican nominee McCain's bid during the 2008 U.S. presidential election.

July 2009: Powell Expresses Concern Over Increasing Federal Government Size

In a July 2009 CNN interview, Colin Powell expressed concern over President Obama increasing the size of the federal government and the size of the federal budget deficit.

January 2010: Powell Supports Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell

In January 2010, Powell voiced his support for repealing the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

September 2010: Powell Criticizes Obama Administration's Focus on Economy

In September 2010, Colin Powell criticized the Obama administration for not focusing "like a razor blade" on the economy and job creation.

November 2011: Powell Says Obama Put Financial System on Stable Basis

In a video that aired on CNN.com in November 2011, Colin Powell said in reference to Barack Obama, "many of his decisions have been quite sound. The financial system was put back on a stable basis".

October 2012: Powell Endorses Obama for Re-Election

On October 25, 2012, Colin Powell endorsed President Obama for re-election, citing his success in foreign and domestic policy and concerns about Mitt Romney's positions and economic plans.

2012: Powell Calls Benghazi Controversy a "Stupid Witch Hunt"

In an email revealed in September 2016, Colin Powell referred to the 2012 Benghazi attack controversy surrounding Hillary Clinton as a "stupid witch hunt".

2013: Email Controversy

In 2013, Colin Powell faced scrutiny regarding his relationship with Romanian diplomat Corina Crețu after his hacked AOL email account was made public.

October 2015: Powell Warns of Republican Party Move to the Fringe Right

Speaking at a Washington Ideas forum in early October 2015, Colin Powell warned that the Republican Party had begun a move to the fringe right, lessening the chances of a Republican White House in the future.

March 2016: Powell Denounces "Nastiness" of Republican Primaries

In March 2016, Colin Powell denounced the "nastiness" of the 2016 Republican primaries during an interview on CBS This Morning, comparing the race to reality television.

August 2016: Powell Accuses Clinton Campaign of Pinning Email Controversy on Him

In August 2016, Colin Powell accused the Hillary Clinton campaign of trying to pin her email controversy on him, stating that she was using the private server before he advised her on it.

September 2016: Emails Reveal Powell's Private Communications on Trump and Clinton

On 13 September 2016, emails were obtained that revealed Powell's private communications regarding both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton including the 2012 Benghazi attack controversy.

October 2016: Powell Endorses Hillary Clinton for President

On October 25, 2016, Colin Powell endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, stating that she was qualified and the other candidate, Donald Trump, was not.

2016: Electoral College Votes

During the electoral college vote count of 2016, Colin Powell received three votes for president from faithless electors from the state of Washington.

2016: Electoral Votes in Presidential Election

In 2016, Colin Powell, who was not a candidate, received three electoral votes from Washington state for the office of President of the United States.

October 2019: Powell Warns GOP

In October 2019, Colin Powell cautioned that the Republican Party needed to prioritize the country over their party and confront President Trump.

June 2020: Powell Announces Support for Biden

In June 2020, Colin Powell publicly announced his decision to vote for Joe Biden in the 2020 United States presidential election.

January 2021: Powell Leaves Republican Party

In January 2021, following the attack on the Capitol building, Colin Powell declared that he could no longer identify as a Republican.

2021: Powell Leaves Republican Party

In 2021, Colin Powell recanted his status as a Republican following the storming of the United States Capitol on January 6th. He called for President Trump's resignation.

2024: Death of Alma Powell

In 2024, Alma Powell, wife of Colin Powell, died.