Childhood and Education Journey of Jesse Jackson in Timeline
How education and upbringing influenced the life of Jesse Jackson. A timeline of key moments.
Jesse Jackson is a prominent American civil rights activist, politician, and Baptist minister. He rose to prominence as a protege of Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement and has remained a leading voice for civil rights for over seven decades. Jackson served as a shadow senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. He is the father of former U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. and current U.S. Representative Jonathan Jackson. Jackson's career reflects a blend of activism, political engagement, and religious leadership in the pursuit of social justice.
1908: Birth of Noah Louis Robinson
Noah Louis Robinson, Jesse Jackson's biological father, was born in 1908.
October 8, 1941: Jesse Jackson's Birth
Jesse Jackson was born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, to Helen Burns and Noah Louis Robinson.
1955: Montgomery Bus Boycott Impact
In 1955, the Montgomery bus boycott influenced Jesse Jackson's views on segregation.
1959: High School Graduation and Decision
In 1959, after graduating high school, Jesse Jackson rejected a baseball contract to attend the University of Illinois on a football scholarship.
July 16, 1960: Greenville Library Sit-in
On July 16, 1960, Jesse Jackson participated in a sit-in at the Greenville Public Library, leading to his arrest.
1960: Leaving University of Illinois
In 1960, Jackson left the University of Illinois and transferred to North Carolina A&T.
December 31, 1962: Marriage to Jacqueline Lavinia Brown
On December 31, 1962, Jesse Jackson married Jacqueline Lavinia Brown.
1964: Graduation from A&T
In 1964, Jesse Jackson graduated with a B.S. in sociology from North Carolina A&T.
1965: Selma to Montgomery Marches
In 1965, Jesse Jackson participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches organized by James Bevel, Martin Luther King Jr., and other civil rights leaders.
1966: Drops out of Seminary
In 1966, Jesse Jackson dropped out of the Chicago Theological Seminary to focus on the civil rights movement.
April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Assassination
On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Jesse Jackson was present and gave conflicting accounts.
December 1971: Falling Out with Abernathy
In December 1971, Jesse Jackson had a falling out with Ralph Abernathy, leading to Jackson's suspension from Operation Breadbasket.
1975: Endorsement of Abortion Ban
In 1975, Jesse Jackson endorsed a plan for a constitutional amendment banning abortion. He also endorsed the Hyde Amendment, which bars the funding of abortions through the federal Medicaid program.
1977: Arguments Against Roe v. Wade
In a 1977 National Right to Life Committee News report, Jesse Jackson argued that the basis for Roe v. Wade—the right to privacy—had also been used to justify slavery and the treatment of slaves on the plantations. Jackson decried what he believed was the casual taking of life and the decline in society's values.
1978: Call for Republican Relationship
In 1978, Jesse Jackson called for a closer relationship between blacks and the Republican Party.
May 1983: Addressed Alabama Legislature
In May 1983, Jesse Jackson became the first African-American man since Reconstruction to address a joint session of the Alabama Legislature, advocating for focusing on employment issues rather than racial divisions.
November 3, 1983: Announced Presidential Campaign
On November 3, 1983, Jesse Jackson announced his campaign for president of the United States in the 1984 election, becoming the second African American to mount a nationwide campaign for president as a Democrat.
1983: Release of American Pilot
In 1983, Jesse Jackson traveled to Syria and secured the release of captured American pilot Robert Goodman.
January 4, 1984: White House Welcome
On January 4, 1984, President Reagan welcomed Jesse Jackson and Robert Goodman to the White House after Goodman's release.
March 1984: Gained Third Place in Polls
In March 1984, a Washington Post-ABC News poll found Jesse Jackson in third place with 20 percent support in the Democratic primary race, behind Mondale and Hart.
June 1984: Negotiated Release of Americans
In June 1984, Jesse Jackson negotiated the release of 22 Americans being held in Cuba.
1984: Addressed Democratic National Convention
In 1984, Jesse Jackson addressed the Democratic National Convention, offering an apology for past comments and emphasizing the need for unity within the party.
1984: Appeal for James Dupree Henry
In 1984, Jesse Jackson and Coretta Scott King appealed to Florida governor Bob Graham to halt the execution of James Dupree Henry.
1984: Ran for President
In 1984, Jesse Jackson ran for president, and performed well enough to argue that he had expanded his appeal to white voters.
January 1985: Led Procession in Washington
In January 1985, concurrent with Ronald Reagan's second inauguration, Jesse Jackson led a procession in Washington to advocate for the poor and challenge America to protect them.
June 1986: Spoke About Ethical Collapse and Drug Use
In June 1986, Jesse Jackson delivered a commencement speech at Medgar Evers College, expressing concerns about ethical collapse and drug use among young people. Later that month, he called for Reagan to announce a nationwide war on drugs after the death of Len Bias.
1986: Speculation of Second Presidential Run
By early 1986, there was speculation that Jesse Jackson would mount a second presidential run in 1988.
March 1987: Formed Exploratory Committee
In March 1987, Jesse Jackson formed an exploratory committee for a potential presidential run in 1988, being the second potential candidate to do so.
April 1987: Focused on Iowa for Campaign
In April 1987, Jesse Jackson focused on Iowa for his potential presidential campaign, spending six days there and moving his office to the rural part of the state.
May 25, 1987: Made a Master Mason on Sight
On Memorial Day, May 25, 1987, Jesse Jackson was made a Master Mason on Sight by Grand Master Senter of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Illinois, thereby making him a Prince Hall Freemason.
October 11, 1987: Announced Candidacy in 1988 Election
On October 11, 1987, Jesse Jackson announced his candidacy in the 1988 presidential election, leading in polls in nine of the 12 Southern states.
1987: Involved in Chicago Mayoral Election
During the 1987 Chicago mayoral election, Jesse Jackson led efforts to prevent the deterioration of the Democratic campaign and avoid splintering of the Democratic vote.
1987: Platform of 1987
In 1987, The New York Times called Jackson "a classic liberal in the tradition of the New Deal and the Great Society".
1988: Ran for President
In 1988, Jesse Jackson was running for president of the United States.
1988: Mayoral Candidacy Considerations
In 1988, following the arrest of Mayor Marion Barry, Jesse Jackson was under pressure to enter the mayoral race to replace Barry, but he did not run for the position.
November 1991: Jackson Decides Not to Run for President
In November 1991, Jesse Jackson formally declared he would not mount a third presidential bid and called for the creation of "new democratic majority".
1991: "Shadow Senator" for the District of Columbia
In 1991, Jesse Jackson ran for office as "shadow senator" for the District of Columbia when the position was created.
August 29, 1993: Commemoration of the March on Washington
On August 29, 1993, Jesse Jackson joined gatherers at the Lincoln Memorial to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
September 1996: Visit to Tupac Shakur
In September 1996, Jesse Jackson visited rapper Tupac Shakur in the hospital after he was wounded in a drive-by shooting.
1997: End of Term as "Shadow Senator"
In 1997, Jesse Jackson did not run for reelection as "shadow senator" for the District of Columbia, ending his term.
March 1999: Decision Not to Run for President
In March 1999, Jesse Jackson announced he would not be a candidate in the 2000 presidential election.
May 1999: Birth of Daughter Ashley
In May 1999, Jesse Jackson had an affair with Karin Stanford, which resulted in the birth of a daughter named Ashley.
November 18, 1999: Decatur High School Expulsions
On November 18, 1999, after seven Decatur, Illinois, high school students were expelled for participating in a brawl, Jesse Jackson argued that the expulsions were unfair and racially biased.
2000: Master of Divinity Awarded
In 2000, Jesse Jackson was awarded a Master of Divinity degree by Chicago Theological Seminary.
2000: Voters support of Bush
In February 2004, Jackson called for southern voters to turn away from the fears and despair that led to their support of Bush in 2000.
2001: Affair and Child Support Revealed
In 2001, Jesse Jackson's affair with Karin Stanford and resulting daughter Ashley became public, leading to Jackson paying $4,000 a month in child support.
2002: Jackson discusses "King democracy"
In 2002, Jackson stated in an interview that there was "a new America" and the world was abandoning the Jeffersonian democracy. In November 2002, African Americans Against Exploitation Inc. filed suit against Jackson, alleging that he "intentionally misrepresented himself as an official of the African American race". Also that year, Jackson was the target of a white supremacist terror plot.
February 15, 2003: Spoke at Anti-War Demonstration in London
On February 15, 2003, Jesse Jackson addressed an estimated one million people in Hyde Park, London, at an anti-war demonstration protesting the imminent invasion of Iraq by the U.S. and the United Kingdom.
September 1, 2003: Arrest at Yale University protest
On September 1, 2003, Jesse Jackson was arrested for blocking traffic at Yale University in solidarity with striking workers. He was the first person handcuffed.
February 2004: Address at John F. Kennedy School of Government
In February 2004, Jesse Jackson delivered an address at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, where he called for southern voters to turn away from supporting Bush, and endorsed John Kerry's presidential campaign.
November 2004: Encouraged Peace in Northern Ireland
In November 2004, Jesse Jackson visited Northern Ireland to encourage better cross-community relations, rebuild the peace process, and restore governmental institutions of the Belfast Agreement, meeting with senior politicians and community activists.
2005: Support for Terri Schiavo's parents
In early 2005, Jesse Jackson visited Terri Schiavo's parents and supported their unsuccessful bid to keep her alive, which Jeb Bush also supported.
March 2007: Jackson supports Barack Obama
In March 2007, Jesse Jackson declared his support for then-Senator Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic Party presidential primaries.
June 23, 2007: Arrest at gun store protest
On June 23, 2007, Jesse Jackson was arrested for trespassing during a protest at a gun store in Riverdale, Illinois, accused of selling firearms to gang members. He refused to stop blocking the entrance.
September 2008: Hospitalized for Gastroenteritis
In September 2008, Jesse Jackson was hospitalized with viral gastroenteritis after experiencing dehydration and stomach pains.
2008: Presented with Honorary Fellowship from Edge Hill University
In 2008, Jesse Jackson was presented with an Honorary Fellowship from Edge Hill University.
August 2009: Crowned Prince Côte Nana
In August 2009, Jesse Jackson was crowned Prince Côte Nana by Amon N'Douffou V, King of Krindjabo, who rules more than a million Agni tribespeople.
2009: Speaker for International Peace Foundation
In 2009, Jesse Jackson served as a speaker for the International Peace Foundation, discussing "Building a culture of peace and development in a globalized world" and visited multiple locations in Malaysia and Thailand.
February 2012: Response to Trayvon Martin Shooting
In February 2012, following the shooting of Trayvon Martin, Jesse Jackson joined Martin's parents in demanding the arrest of George Zimmerman and called for repealing stand-your-ground laws. After Zimmerman's acquittal, Jackson refused to accept it and called for civil rights charges.
2012: Jackson Commends Obama's Support for Gay Marriage
In 2012, Jesse Jackson commended Obama's decision to support gay marriage, comparing it to the fights against slavery and anti-miscegenation laws. He favored federal legislation extending marriage rights to gay people.
July 2013: Meeting with Marissa Alexander
In July 2013, Jesse Jackson met with Marissa Alexander and called for her 20-year sentence to be reduced, contrasting it with Zimmerman's acquittal.
2013: Attended Hugo Chávez's Funeral
In 2013, Jesse Jackson attended Hugo Chávez's funeral, commenting on the maturation of democracies and making inaccurate statements about U.S. presidents owning slaves.
January 2015: Panel Discussion at Stanford University
In January 2015, Jesse Jackson participated in a panel discussion at Stanford University, calling for Palo Alto residents to combat gentrification and met with Silicon Valley leaders.
January 2015: Alexander Released
In January 2015, Marissa Alexander was released from jail under a plea deal that capped her sentence at the three years she had already served.
2015: Awarded Honorary Degree from University of Edinburgh
In 2015, Jesse Jackson was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Edinburgh, in recognition of decades of campaigning for civil rights.
November 2017: Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease
In November 2017, Jesse Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
2017: Jackson Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease
In 2017, Jesse Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
January 2018: Sermon Criticizing Trump
In January 2018, Jesse Jackson delivered a sermon in which he criticized Trump as misleading and out of touch. He also wrote an op-ed reflecting on King's legacy and attended the Angela Project Conference, addressing social injustices.
2019: Support for Venezuelan Embassy Activists
During the 2019 Venezuelan presidential crisis, Jesse Jackson delivered food to activists occupying the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, D.C.
April 2021: Jackson Reacts to Chauvin Verdict
In April 2021, after Derek Chauvin's conviction for George Floyd's murder, Jesse Jackson appeared with the Floyd family, stating that attendees would have to "learn to live together as brothers and sisters and not die apart".
August 3, 2021: Jackson Arrested During Protest
On August 3, 2021, Jesse Jackson was arrested while protesting for Congress to end the filibuster, protect voting rights, and raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.
August 2021: Hospitalized with COVID-19
In August 2021, Jesse Jackson and his wife were hospitalized with COVID-19; Jackson was later transferred to a rehabilitation facility.
December 2021: Elected Honorary Fellow of Homerton College, Cambridge
In December 2021, Jesse Jackson was elected an Honorary Fellow of Homerton College, Cambridge.
2021: Jackson Hospitalized Twice
In 2021, Jesse Jackson was hospitalized twice, once after testing positive for COVID-19 and again after a head injury.
June 2022: Supreme Court Overrules Roe v. Wade
In June 2022, the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson.
2022: Receives Honorary Doctorate from Benedict College
In 2022, Jesse Jackson received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Benedict College.
July 2023: Jackson Announces Plans to Step Down as Leader of Rainbow/PUSH
In July 2023, Jesse Jackson announced his plans to step down as the leader of Rainbow/PUSH due to his age and health complications, including Parkinson's disease and previous hospitalizations.
