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. Rising to prominence under Martin Luther King Jr., he has been a consistent voice for civil rights for over 70 years. He served as a shadow delegate and senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. Jackson is the father of former U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. and current U.S. Representative Jonathan Jackson.
1908: Birth of Noah Louis Robinson
In 1908, Noah Louis Robinson, Jesse Jackson's biological father, was born.
1924: Birth of Helen Burns
In 1924, Helen Burns, Jesse Jackson's mother, was born.
October 8, 1941: Jesse Jackson's Birth
On October 8, 1941, Jesse Louis Jackson, was born in Greenville, South Carolina.
1955: Influence of the Montgomery Bus Boycott
In 1955, the Montgomery bus boycott influenced Jesse Jackson, who had accepted Jim Crow segregation laws until then.
1959: Rejection of Baseball Contract
In 1959, Jesse Jackson graduated from high school, rejected a contract from a minor league professional baseball team, and instead attended the University of Illinois on a football scholarship.
1960: Leaving the University of Illinois
In 1960, Jesse 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.
1963: Birth of Santita Jackson
In 1963, Santita Jackson, the first child of Jesse and Jacqueline Jackson, was born.
1964: Graduation from A&T
In 1964, Jesse Jackson graduated from North Carolina A&T with a B.S. in sociology.
1965: Birth of Jesse Jackson Jr.
In 1965, Jesse Jackson Jr., the second child of Jesse and Jacqueline Jackson, was born.
1966: Dropping out of Chicago Theological Seminary
In 1966, Jesse Jackson dropped out of the Chicago Theological Seminary to focus on the civil rights movement.
1966: Birth of Jonathan Luther Jackson
In 1966, Jonathan Luther Jackson, the third child of Jesse and Jacqueline Jackson, was born.
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 of the event.
1969: Viewed as King's Successor
In 1969, Jesse Jackson was viewed by several black leaders as Martin Luther King Jr.'s successor.
1970: Birth of Yusef DuBois Jackson
In 1970, Yusef DuBois Jackson, the fourth child of Jesse and Jacqueline Jackson, was born.
1973: PUSH Campaign Against Roe v. Wade
In 1973, less than a month after the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade, Jesse Jackson began a PUSH campaign against the decision, calling abortion murder and suggesting that Jesus and Moses might not have been born if abortion had been available.
1975: Birth of Jacqueline Lavinia Jackson
In 1975, Jacqueline Lavinia Jackson, the fifth child of Jesse and Jacqueline Jackson, was born.
1975: Endorsement of Abortion Ban Amendment
In 1975, Jesse Jackson endorsed a plan for a constitutional amendment banning abortion.
1977: Arguments Against Roe v. Wade
In 1977, Jesse Jackson argued in a National Right to Life Committee News report that the basis for Roe v. Wade—the right to privacy—had also been used to justify slavery.
1978: Meeting with James Earl Ray
In 1978, Jesse Jackson met with James Earl Ray, the convicted assassin of Martin Luther King Jr., and expressed his belief that Ray was involved but did not act alone.
1980: Voter Turnout Increase
In 1980, massive registration drives targeted at black voters led to a 69 percent increase in voter turnout from 1980 in Georgia and Alabama.
May 1983: Jackson Addresses Alabama Legislature
In May 1983, Jesse Jackson became the first African-American man since Reconstruction to address a joint session of the Alabama Legislature, where he advocated for unity beyond racial lines. This event was seen as a test for a potential presidential candidacy.
November 3, 1983: Jackson Announces 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.
1984: Jackson Attempts to Improve Relationship with Jewish Community
According to a 1987 New York Times article, it was after 1984 that Jesse Jackson began attempting to improve his relationship with the Jewish community.
1984: Quadrupling Support in Iowa
In 1984, Jesse Jackson quadrupled his support in the Iowa caucus compared to his previous bid.
1984: Jackson's 1984 Presidential Candidacy
In 1984, Jesse Jackson's candidacy for president of the United States divided support among black politicians, with some refraining from endorsing him due to their belief he would not win the nomination. Despite this, he received support from prominent figures and organizations.
1984: Better Financed and Organized
In 1984, Jesse Jackson's past successes made him a more credible candidate, and he was both better financed and better organized than in his previous presidential run.
1984: Better Showing Among Wisconsin White Voters
In 1984, Jesse Jackson's showing among white voters in Wisconsin was significantly better compared to his earlier run, but still lower than pre-primary polling.
1986: Speculation of Second Presidential Run
By early 1986, speculation began that Jackson would mount a second presidential run in 1988.
March 1987: Jackson Forms Exploratory Committee for Presidential Run
In March 1987, Jesse Jackson formed an exploratory committee, signaling a potential second presidential run in 1988.
April 1987: Jackson Focuses on Iowa for Presidential Campaign
In April 1987, Jesse Jackson spent six days in Iowa and moved his office to the rural part of the state, emphasizing the economic challenges faced by farmers and businessmen under the Reagan administration.
October 11, 1987: Jackson Announces 1988 Presidential Candidacy
On October 11, 1987, Jesse Jackson announced his candidacy in the 1988 presidential election, leading in polls in nine of the 12 Southern states.
November 1987: Low Nomination Chances
In November 1987, a New York Times article indicated that most political analysts gave Jesse Jackson little chance of being nominated, partly because he is black and partly because of his unretrenched liberalism.
1987: Jackson improves relationship with Jewish community
In 1987, Jesse Jackson began attempting to improve his relationship with the Jewish community, after facing criticism in previous years.
1987: University President's Statement on Jackson's Records
In 1987, the president of the University of Illinois stated that Jesse Jackson's 1960 freshman year transcript was clean, contradicting claims that he left due to academic probation.
1988: Speculation of Second Presidential Run
By early 1986, speculation began that Jackson would mount a second presidential run in 1988.
1988: Jackson Runs for President
In 1988 Jesse Jackson led in nine of the 12 Southern states that would hold primaries or caucuses in March and led the Democratic field at 27 percent.
1988: "Year of Jackson"
In 1988, Jackson exceeded expectations, more than doubling his previous results, leading R.W. Apple of The New York Times to call it "the Year of Jackson".
1988: Shadow Senator Consideration
In 1988, after finishing second in the primaries, Jesse Jackson felt he deserved consideration as a running mate for Dukakis. However, Dukakis stated that Jackson was of no "special or greater consideration".
1988: Decision Not to Run for Mayor
In 1988, after the arrest of Marion Barry, Jackson declined to run for Mayor of the District of Columbia.
1989: Regier Endorses Spanking
In 1989, Jerry Regier co-chaired a group that endorsed spanking to the point of bruises and welts and opposed married women having careers. This was brought up by Jackson during Regier's 2002 nomination for the Department of Children and Families, drawing criticism.
1990: Bush Teases Jackson at Dinner
In 1990, at a dinner honoring The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, George H.W. Bush teased Jesse Jackson about becoming president, joking about his visit with children in ghettos.
November 1991: Decision Not to Enter 1992 Primaries
In November 1991, Jesse Jackson announced he would not enter the 1992 Democratic Party presidential primaries.
1991: Shadow Senator Run
In 1991, Jesse Jackson ran for office as "shadow senator" for the District of Columbia when the position was created.
April 26, 1992: Meeting with Bill Clinton
On April 26, 1992, Jesse Jackson and Bill Clinton met in Clinton's hotel suite and announced their commitment to defeating George Bush in the general election.
August 29, 1993: March on Washington Anniversary
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.
1996: Clinton's Concern Over Jackson Primary Challenge
In 1996, according to journalist Peter Beinart, Bill Clinton was "petrified about a primary challenge from" Jackson in the election.
1997: Backing Al Sharpton for Mayor
In 1997, Jesse Jackson backed Al Sharpton in his bid for mayor of New York City.
1997: End of Shadow Senator Role
In 1997, Jesse Jackson did not run for reelection as "shadow senator" for the District of Columbia, ending his service in the unpaid position.
1998: Opposition to Clinton's Impeachment
In 1998, during Bill Clinton's impeachment inquiry, Jesse Jackson explained his opposition to Clinton's removal from office.
March 1999: Jackson Foregoes Presidential Run
In March 1999, Jesse Jackson announced he would not be a candidate in the 2000 presidential election. He cited his intent to focus on education, health care reform, and addressing the "explosive growth of the prison-industrial complex."
May 1999: Birth of Daughter Ashley
In May 1999, Jesse Jackson had a daughter named Ashley with Karin Stanford.
March 1, 2000: Jackson Endorses Al Gore
On March 1, 2000, Jesse Jackson endorsed Vice President Al Gore for president, praising Gore's extensive experience and accomplishments. Jackson stated that Gore brought invaluable accomplishments as a former congressman, senator and vice president. Jackson also addressed the 2000 Democratic National Convention.
March 2000: Criticism of Giuliani
In March 2000, Jesse Jackson criticized Rudy Giuliani's handling of the Patrick Dorismond shooting.
2000: Awarded Master of Divinity Degree
In 2000, Jesse Jackson was awarded a Master of Divinity degree by Chicago Theological Seminary, based on prior credits and life experience.
2000: Jackson Speaks at Democratic National Convention
In 2000, Jesse Jackson was invited to speak in support of Jewish Senator and Vice Presidential candidate Joe Lieberman at the Democratic National Convention.
2001: Revelation of Affair and Child Support
In 2001, Jesse Jackson's affair with Karin Stanford and the birth of their daughter Ashley became public, leading to a temporary withdrawal from activism. Jackson was paying $4,000 a month in child support as of 2001.
2002: ESPN.com Article on University of Illinois experience
In 2002, Harry Edwards wrote an article on ESPN.com, where he noted the racial challenges and academic probation claims during Jesse Jackson's time at the University of Illinois.
February 2004: Jackson Addresses Kennedy School, Campaigns for Kerry
In February 2004, Jesse Jackson delivered an address at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. Jackson called for Southern voters to turn away from Bush in 2000, and he highlighted John Kerry's wartime credentials, campaigning for him in battleground states. Kerry would eventually lose to Bush. Jackson also addressed the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
2005: Jackson Supports Terri Schiavo's Parents
In early 2005, Jesse Jackson visited Terri Schiavo's parents and supported their unsuccessful bid to keep her alive. This aligned with Governor Jeb Bush's stance, marking a rare instance of agreement between Jackson and Bush.
September 2008: Hospitalization for Viral Gastroenteritis
In September 2008, Jesse Jackson was hospitalized at Northwestern Memorial Hospital due to dehydration and stomach pains, with doctors diagnosing viral gastroenteritis.
2008: 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 over a million Agni tribespeople.
2015: Honorary Degree from the 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: Diagnosis with Parkinson's Disease
In November 2017, Jesse Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
2017: Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease
In 2017, Jesse Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
March 8, 2020: Jackson Endorses Bernie Sanders for President
On March 8, 2020, Jesse Jackson endorsed Bernie Sanders, who is Jewish, for president of the United States.
August 2021: Hospitalized with COVID-19
In August 2021, Jesse Jackson and his wife were hospitalized at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago after testing positive for COVID-19.
December 2021: Elected Honorary Fellow of Homerton College, Cambridge
In December 2021, Jesse Jackson was elected an Honorary Fellow of Homerton College, Cambridge.
2021: Hospitalizations
In 2021, Jesse Jackson was hospitalized twice due to health complications, including testing positive for COVID-19 and later suffering a head injury.
June 2022: Roe v. Wade Overruled
In June 2022, the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson.
2022: Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Benedict College
In 2022, Jesse Jackson received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Benedict College.
July 2023: Announcement 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. This decision was influenced by his advanced age and health issues, including Parkinson's disease and hospitalizations in 2021 due to COVID-19 and a head injury.
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