Childhood and Education Journey of Cory Booker in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Cory Booker. A timeline of key moments.

Cory Booker is an American politician and lawyer currently serving as a U.S. Senator from New Jersey since 2013. He is the first African-American U.S. Senator from New Jersey. Prior to his Senate career, Booker served as the 38th Mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013. He also held a position on the Municipal Council of Newark for the Central Ward from 1998 to 2002.

Sections (6)

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

1936: Birth of Cary Alfred Booker

In 1936, Cary Alfred Booker, Cory Booker's father, was born.

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April 27, 1969: Cory Booker Born

On April 27, 1969, Cory Anthony Booker was born. He is an American politician and lawyer who has been serving as a United States senator from New Jersey since 2013.

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1991: Booker Graduates from Stanford

In 1991, Cory Booker graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.

1991: Cory Booker earned a BA from Stanford University

In 1991, Cory Booker received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University.

1992: Booker Earns Master's Degree from Stanford

In 1992, Cory Booker received a Master of Arts degree in sociology from Stanford University.

1994: Booker earned a degree at Oxford

In 1994, Cory Booker earned a degree in United States history from The Queen's College, Oxford.

1997: Booker Obtained Juris Doctor from Yale

In 1997, Cory Booker obtained his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School.

1998: Booker Wins Newark Council Seat

In 1998, Cory Booker won an upset victory for a seat on the Municipal Council of Newark and went on a 10-day hunger strike to protest open-air drug dealing.

1998: Booker won a seat on the Municipal Council of Newark

In 1998, Cory Booker won an upset victory for a seat on the Municipal Council of Newark, staging a 10-day hunger strike to draw attention to urban development issues.

2002: Mayoral campaign chronicled in 'Street Fight'

In 2002, Filmmaker Marshall Curry chronicled Cory Booker's mayoral campaign in the documentary Street Fight.

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November 2006: Moved from Brick Towers to Hawthorne Avenue

In November 2006, Cory Booker, one of the last tenants in Brick Towers, moved to a rental on Hawthorne Avenue in Newark's South Ward.

May 2009: Received honorary doctorate from NJIT and Brandeis University

In May 2009, Cory Booker received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from the Newark-based New Jersey Institute of Technology and an honorary doctorate from Brandeis University.

2009: Turned down leadership of White House Office of Urban Affairs

In 2009, Cory Booker turned down the offer to lead the new White House Office of Urban Affairs, citing a commitment to Newark.

2009: Engaged in satirical feud with Conan O'Brien

In the fall of 2009, Cory Booker engaged in a satirical on-air and YouTube feud with Tonight Show host Conan O'Brien, which ended with O'Brien donating to Newark charities.

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2009: Starred in documentary series Brick City

Since 2009, Cory Booker has starred in the documentary series Brick City, which focuses on his efforts to improve Newark. Brick City also won a Peabody Award in 2009.

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December 2010: Received honorary doctorate from Yeshiva University

In December 2010, Cory Booker received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Yeshiva University.

December 28, 2010: Booker Shoveled Constituent's Driveway

On December 28, 2010, Cory Booker gained national attention when he responded to a constituent's request on Twitter and personally shoveled her elderly father's driveway.

May 13, 2011: Delivered commencement address at New York Law School

On May 13, 2011, Cory Booker gave the commencement address to New York Law School graduates at Avery Fisher Hall.

May 2011: Received honorary doctorate from University of Rhode Island

In May 2011, Cory Booker received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the University of Rhode Island, where he also delivered the commencement address.

June 2011: Received honorary doctorate from Williams College

In June 2011, Cory Booker received an honorary doctor of laws degree for the urban transformation of Newark and served as that year's commencement speaker at Williams College.

2011: Contributed to documentary Miss Representation

In 2011, Cory Booker contributed to the documentary Miss Representation and commented on the representations of women in politics in mass media.

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April 12, 2012: Booker Rescued Woman from House Fire

On April 12, 2012, Cory Booker rescued a woman from a house fire, suffering smoke inhalation and burns in the process.

May 2012: Received honorary doctorate from Bard College

In May 2012, Cory Booker received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Bard College and gave the commencement speech.

June 17, 2012: Delivered commencement address at Stanford University

On June 17, 2012, Cory Booker delivered the commencement address at Stanford University and also received an honorary degree at Fairleigh Dickinson's 69th commencement ceremony in May 2012.

October 2012: Booker Offered Shelter After Hurricane Sandy

In late October 2012, after Hurricane Sandy, Cory Booker invited Newarkers without electricity to stay in his home.

2012: Formed video sharing company Waywire

In 2012, Cory Booker and tech executives formed Waywire, a company focused on video sharing technology.

January 2013: Booker Rescued Dog from Freezing Temperatures

In January 2013, Cory Booker rescued a dog from freezing temperatures.

February 2013: Booker Helped Constituent Propose

In February 2013, Cory Booker helped a constituent propose to his girlfriend via Twitter.

May 2013: Received honorary doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis

In May 2013, Cory Booker gave the commencement address at Washington University in St. Louis and received an honorary doctorate of law.

July 2013: Booker Rescued Abandoned Dog

In July 2013, Cory Booker rescued a dog that had been abandoned in a cage.

July 2013: Declared progressive alignment in Salon interview

In a July 2013 Salon interview, Cory Booker stated that there is nothing in the realm of progressive politics where you won't find me.

August 2013: Intended resignation from Waywire board

In August 2013, Cory Booker told NBC News he intended to resign from the Waywire board and put his holdings in a trust if elected to the Senate.

September 2013: Identified as Democrat and American in The Grio interview

In a September 2013 interview with The Grio, Cory Booker, when asked if he considered himself a progressive, stated that he was a Democrat and an American.

2013: Refusal to Address Gay Rumors

In 2013, Cory Booker explained his general refusal to address rumors about his sexual orientation, rooted in principle.

May 16, 2014: Gave commencement speech at Ramapo College

On May 16, 2014, Cory Booker gave the commencement speech at Ramapo College of New Jersey at the IZOD Center.

2015: Appeared in Parks and Recreation episode

In 2015, Cory Booker appeared in a scene in the Parks and Recreation episode "Ms. Ludgate-Dwyer Goes to Washington" alongside Orrin Hatch.

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June 2016: Worship at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark

As of June 2016, Cory Booker worshiped at the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark.

2016: Published autobiography United

Cory Booker's autobiography, United: Thoughts on Finding Common Ground and Advancing the Common Good, was published in 2016.

United: Thoughts on Finding Common Ground and Advancing the Common Good

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2016: Considered as replacement for Clinton ticket

During the 2016 presidential election, Donna Brazile considered Cory Booker and Joe Biden as an ideal replacement ticket when Hillary Clinton had pneumonia, but ultimately decided against it.