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 for New Jersey since 2013. As a member of the Democratic Party, he holds the distinction of being the first African-American U.S. senator from New Jersey. Prior to his Senate tenure, Booker served as the 38th mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013. His political career began with a role on the Municipal Council of Newark for the Central Ward from 1998 to 2002, establishing his roots in local government.

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.

Others born on this day/year

1960: Booker Compares Himself to Spartacus

On September 5, 2018, Cory Booker described his release of confidential documents during the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings as "probably the closest I'll ever have in my life to an 'I am Spartacus' moment", referring to a line in the 1960 film Spartacus.

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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 the senior United States senator from New Jersey.

Others born on this day/year

1991: Graduated from Stanford University with a BA

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

1991: Received BA from Stanford University

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

1992: Became a Vegetarian

In 1992, Cory Booker became a vegetarian while a student at Oxford University.

1992: Graduated from Stanford University with a MA

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

1992: Wrote about sexual encounter in column for The Stanford Daily

In 1992, Cory Booker wrote about a sexual encounter in his column for The Stanford Daily and discussed the messages he received that sex was a game.

1992: Booker admitted that as a teenager he had "hated gays."

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

1994: Earned degree from The Queen's College, Oxford

In 1994, Cory Booker, awarded a Rhodes Scholarship, earned a degree in United States history at The Queen's College, Oxford.

1997: Obtained Juris Doctor from Yale Law School

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

1998: Lived in Brick Towers

From 1998 to 2006, Cory Booker lived in Brick Towers, a troubled housing complex in Newark's Central Ward.

November 2006: Moved to Hawthorne Avenue

In November 2006, Cory Booker moved from Brick Towers to 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 New Jersey Institute of Technology and an honorary doctorate from Brandeis University where he was a commencement speaker.

2009: 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 eventually resulted in donations to the City of Newark and the Newark Now charity.

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: Shoveled Constituent's Driveway

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

2010: Mixed-income development built on site of Brick Towers

In 2010, a new mixed-income development was built on the site of Brick Towers, where Cory Booker lived from 1998 to 2006.

May 13, 2011: Delivered Commencement Address at New York Law School

On May 13, 2011, Cory Booker delivered 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 a 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 the commencement speaker at Williams College.

April 12, 2012: Booker Saves Woman from House Fire

On April 12, 2012, Cory Booker saved a woman from a house fire, suffering smoke inhalation and second-degree burns on his hands. The Newark Fire Chief suggested Booker's actions saved the woman's life.

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 a commencement address to Stanford University graduates at Stanford Stadium.

October 2012: Booker Opens Home After Hurricane Sandy

In late October 2012, after Hurricane Sandy devastated New Jersey and New York's shorelines, Booker invited Newark residents without electricity and services to stay at his home.

December 2012: Booker Attempts to Live on a $30 Food Budget

In December 2012, Cory Booker began a week-long challenge to live on a $30 food budget, equivalent to New Jersey's SNAP benefits. This was after discussions with a constituent about New Jersey's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Booker aimed to spark a discussion about those relying solely on food stamps.

January 2013: Booker Rescues Dog from Freezing Temperatures

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

February 2013: Booker Helps Constituent Propose on Twitter

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

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 Rescues Abandoned Dog

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

July 2013: Salon Interview

In a July 2013 Salon interview, Cory Booker stated that he aligns with progressive politics.

September 2013: The Grio Interview

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

2013: Received funding from pro-Israel donors

From 2013 to 2024, Cory Booker declared receiving $871,563 in funding from pro-Israel donors.

2013: Refusal to Address Gay Rumors

In 2013, Cory Booker generally refused to address rumors that he was gay on principle.

2013: Named one of "Top 40 Bachelors"

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

2013: Moved to Townhouse in Lincoln Park

Since 2013, Cory Booker has lived in a townhouse he owns in the Lincoln Park section of Newark's Central Ward.

May 16, 2014: Gave Commencement Speech at Ramapo College of New Jersey

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

2014: Began Practicing a Vegan Diet

In 2014, Cory Booker began practicing a vegan diet and has expressed his vegan ethical philosophy and advocacy for animals.

June 2016: Worshiped at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark

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

September 2018: Column brought up during the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings

In September 2018, The Daily Caller and Fox News brought up Cory Booker's 1992 column during the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings.

March 2020: Endorsed Joe Biden for President

In March 2020, Cory Booker endorsed former vice president Joe Biden for president after suspending his own campaign.

2020: Discovered to be Cousins with 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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February 2022: Relationship with Rosario Dawson Ended

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

November 2022: Wrote 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.