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 the senior United States senator from New Jersey, serving 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 served on the Municipal Council of Newark for the Central Ward from 1998 to 2002. Booker is a member of the Democratic Party.

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. He later became one of the first black IBM executives.

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April 27, 1969: Cory Booker Born

On April 27, 1969, Cory Anthony Booker was born. He is now an American politician and the senior United States senator from New Jersey.

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1991: Graduated from Stanford University

In 1991, Cory Booker graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. He played football and was elected senior class president.

1992: Received Master of Arts in Sociology

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

1992: Wrote about sexual encounter in The Stanford Daily

In 1992, Cory Booker recounted a sexual encounter during his teenage years in his column for The Stanford Daily, discussing his changed attitudes towards sexual relations and how "skewed attitudes" lead to rape.

1992: Became a vegetarian

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

1992: Admitted to having 'hated gays'

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

1994: Earned degree at Queen's College, Oxford

In 1994, Cory Booker earned a degree in United States history at 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 degree from Yale Law School and operated free legal clinics for low-income residents.

1998: Lived in Brick Towers

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

June 2006: Assassination Plot Foiled

In late June 2006, before Cory Booker took office, New Jersey investigators foiled a plot to assassinate him. The plot was led by Bloods gang leaders inside four New Jersey state prisons. The motive was described as a response to the acrimonious campaign and Booker's promises to take a harder line on crime.

July 1, 2006: Took Office as Mayor of Newark

On July 1, 2006, Cory Booker took office as mayor of Newark. He announced a 100-day plan to implement reforms that included increasing police forces, ending background checks for many city jobs, refurbishing police stations, improving city services, and expanding summer youth programs.

November 2006: Moved out of Brick Towers

In November 2006, Cory Booker moved out of his apartment in Brick Towers for a rental on Hawthorne Avenue in Newark's South Ward.

May 2009: Received honorary degree from New Jersey Institute of Technology

In May 2009, Cory Booker received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from the Newark-based New Jersey Institute of Technology for "his outstanding career in public service as the Mayor of Newark."

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, with O'Brien jokingly insulting Newark and Booker responding that he would ban O'Brien from the Newark airport. The feud ended with O'Brien donating to the City of Newark and the Newark Now charity.

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July 2010: Met Mark Zuckerberg

In July 2010, Cory Booker attended a dinner at a conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, where he was seated with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. They began a conversation about Booker's plans for Newark.

December 2010: Received honorary doctorate from Yeshiva University

In December 2010, Cory Booker received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Yeshiva University for "his bold vision for Newark and setting a national standard for urban transformation."

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 after he was about to attempt to do it himself.

2010: Brick Towers was demolished

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

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 (now David Geffen Hall) at Lincoln Center.

May 2011: Gave commencement address at the University of Rhode Island

In May 2011, Cory Booker gave the commencement address at the University of Rhode Island and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

June 2011: Received honorary degree and served as commencement speaker at 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.

April 12, 2012: Booker saves woman from house fire

On April 12, 2012, Cory Booker rescued a woman from a house fire, incurring smoke inhalation and second-degree burns to his hands. The Newark Fire Chief John Centanni stated that Booker's actions may have saved the woman's life.

May 2012: Received honorary degree and gave commencement speech at 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 invites Newarkers into his home after Hurricane Sandy

In late October 2012, after Hurricane Sandy devastated the shorelines of New Jersey and New York, Cory Booker invited Newark residents who lacked electricity and other essential services to stay and eat at his home.

December 2012: Booker's SNAP Challenge

In December 2012, after discussions about New Jersey's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Cory Booker undertook a week-long challenge to live on a $30 per week food budget, which he stated was the amount received by New Jersey SNAP recipients. This aimed to spark discussion about Americans 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 with Marriage Proposal

In February 2013, Cory Booker, responding to a Twitter post, assisted a nervous constituent in proposing to his girlfriend.

May 2013: Gave commencement address at 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: Booker on progressive politics

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

September 2013: The Grio interview: Booker defines his political identity

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