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 currently serving as a U.S. Senator from New Jersey since 2013. As a member of the Democratic Party, he is New Jersey's first African-American U.S. Senator. Prior to his Senate career, Booker served as the 38th Mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013. He also served on the Municipal Council of Newark representing the Central Ward from 1998 to 2002. Booker's career has been marked by his focus on urban development and social justice issues.

Sections (6)

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

April 27, 1969: Cory Booker Born

On April 27, 1969, Cory Anthony Booker was born. He is an American politician and lawyer.

Others born on this day/year

1986: Named to USA Today All-USA high school football team

In 1986, Cory Booker, while at Northern Valley Regional High School, was named to the USA Today All-USA high school football team.

1991: Graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science

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

1992: Booker Admits to Hating Gays

In 1992, Cory Booker admitted in a column in The Stanford Daily that as a teenager he had "hated gays."

1992: Graduated from Stanford University with a Master of Arts in sociology

In 1992, Cory Booker graduated from Stanford University with a Master of Arts in sociology.

1994: Earned degree in United States history at Oxford

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

1997: Obtained Juris Doctor from Yale Law School

In 1997, Cory Booker obtained his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School and operated free legal clinics for low-income residents of New Haven, Connecticut.

1998: Booker lives in Brick Towers

In 1998, Cory Booker lived in Brick Towers, a troubled housing complex in Newark's Central Ward.

1998: Won seat on Municipal Council of Newark

In 1998, Cory Booker won an upset victory for a seat on the Municipal Council of Newark, defeating four-term incumbent George Branch. He went on a 10-day hunger strike to address open-air drug dealing and violence.

November 2006: Booker moves from Brick Towers

In November 2006, Cory Booker, one of the last remaining tenants, moved from his apartment in Brick Towers to a top unit rental on Hawthorne Avenue in Newark’s South Ward.

December 28, 2010: 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.

2010: Demolition and Redevelopment of Brick Towers

In 2010, Brick Towers, where Booker previously lived, was demolished, and a new mixed-income development was built in its place.

April 12, 2012: Saved woman from house fire

On April 12, 2012, Cory Booker saved a woman from a house fire, sustaining smoke inhalation and second-degree burns.

October 2012: Invited Newarkers to his home after Hurricane Sandy

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

December 2012: SNAP Food Budget Challenge

In December 2012, Cory Booker began a week-long challenge to live on a $30 food budget, equivalent to the amount New Jersey paid Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. This was to spark a discussion about Americans relying solely on food stamps to survive.

January 2013: Rescued dog from freezing temperatures

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

February 2013: Helped constituent propose on Twitter

In February 2013, Cory Booker helped a nervous constituent propose to his girlfriend, responding to a Twitter post.

July 2013: Rescued abandoned dog

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

2013: Booker Refuses to Address Gay Rumors

In 2013, Cory Booker generally refused to address rumors that he is gay, explaining that he does not want to address such rumors on principle.

2013: Booker Moves to Lincoln Park Townhouse

In 2013, Cory Booker moved to a townhouse he owns in the Lincoln Park section of Newark's Central Ward.

2013: Named a top bachelor

In 2013, Cory Booker was named one of Town & Country's "Top 40 Bachelors".

March 2019: Relationship with Rosario Dawson Confirmed

In March 2019, actress Rosario Dawson confirmed to TMZ that she was in a relationship with Cory Booker.

2020: Booker discovers he is related to RuPaul

In 2020, Cory Booker learned that he and entertainer RuPaul are cousins, after both appeared on the TV show "Finding Your Roots".

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January 6, 2021: Booker responds to U.S. Capitol attack

On January 6, 2021, as Cory Booker participated in the certification of the 2021 Electoral College vote count, Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. Booker was evacuated and later blamed Trump for inciting the attack, calling for the invocation of the Twenty-fifth Amendment and suggesting impeachment if necessary.

February 2022: Relationship with Rosario Dawson Ends

In February 2022, Cory Booker's relationship with Rosario Dawson ended.

November 2022: Booker writes letter of support for Elizabeth Holmes

In November 2022, Cory Booker wrote a letter of support and leniency for Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes to the federal judge before her sentencing hearing.