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 Louis Jackson Sr. is a prominent American figure known for his work as a civil rights activist, politician, and Baptist minister. As a protégé of Martin Luther King Jr., he rose to become a leading voice in the civil rights movement and a strong advocate for LGBTQ rights. He served as a shadow U.S. Senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. Jackson's career is marked by his commitment to social justice and equality, making him a significant figure in American history.
October 8, 1941: Birth of Jesse Jackson
On October 8, 1941, Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. was born in Greenville, South Carolina. He later became a prominent civil rights activist, politician, and Baptist minister.
1955: Montgomery Bus Boycott
In 1955, the Montgomery bus boycott influenced Jesse Jackson, leading him to question segregation practices he had previously accepted.
1959: Rejection of Baseball Contract
In 1959, after graduating high school, Jesse Jackson rejected a contract from a minor-league professional baseball team 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, resulting in his arrest for disorderly conduct. The city council temporarily closed both libraries in response.
1960: Departure from University of Illinois
In 1960, Jesse Jackson left the University of Illinois. It was later suggested that he was placed on academic probation, though the university president later reported his transcript was clean.
December 31, 1962: Marriage to Jacqueline Lavinia Brown
On December 31, 1962, Jesse Jackson married Jacqueline Lavinia Brown. Together, they had five children.
1964: Graduation from A&T
In 1964, Jesse Jackson graduated with a B.S. degree in sociology from North Carolina A&T.
1965: Participation in 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: Leaving Chicago Theological Seminary
In 1966, Jesse Jackson left the Chicago Theological Seminary to focus on the civil rights movement.
1966: Heading the Chicago Branch of SCLC's Operation Breadbasket
In 1966, Jesse Jackson was selected by King and Bevel to head the Chicago branch of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's (SCLC) economic arm, Operation Breadbasket.
1967: Promotion to National Director
In 1967, Jesse Jackson was promoted to national director of Operation Breadbasket.
April 4, 1968: King's Assassination
On April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Jesse Jackson was present and claimed to be the last person to speak to King, though this account was disputed.
1968: Ordained as Minister
In 1968, Jesse Jackson was ordained as a minister.
October 1971: Black Expo in Chicago
In October 1971, Jesse Jackson organized the Black Expo in Chicago, a trade and business fair to promote black capitalism and grassroots political power.
December 1971: Falling Out with Abernathy
In December 1971, Jesse Jackson and Ralph Abernathy had a falling out, leading to Jackson's suspension from Operation Breadbasket and his subsequent resignation from the SCLC.
December 25, 1971: Inception of Operation PUSH
On December 25, 1971, People United to Save Humanity (Operation PUSH) officially began operations. Jesse Jackson later changed the name to People United to Serve Humanity.
1973: Jackson's Position on Abortion
In 1973, less than a month after Roe v. Wade, Jesse Jackson began a PUSH campaign against the decision, calling abortion murder. Jackson's rhetoric alienated one of his major supporters, T. R. M. Howard.
1975: Endorsement of Constitutional Amendment Banning Abortion
In 1975, Jesse Jackson endorsed a plan for a constitutional amendment banning abortion.
1977: Jackson on Roe v. Wade
In 1977, Jesse Jackson argued in a National Right to Life Committee News report that the basis for Roe v. Wade had also been used to justify slavery. He decried the casual taking of life and the decline in society's values.
1978: Call for Closer Ties with Republican Party
In 1978, Jesse Jackson called for a closer relationship between blacks and the Republican Party.
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.
May 1983: Addressed a joint session of the Alabama Legislature
In May 1983, Jesse Jackson addressed a joint session of the Alabama Legislature, advocating for unity and focusing on employment issues. He called for forgetting about black and white, and started talking about employed and unemployed.
November 3, 1983: Announced his campaign for president of the United States in the 1984 election
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: Boycott of Anheuser-Busch
In 1983, Jesse Jackson and Operation PUSH led a boycott of beer giant Anheuser-Busch over minority employment in its distribution network.
March 1984: Washington Post-ABC News poll places Jackson in third place
In March 1984, a Washington Post-ABC News poll found Jesse Jackson in third place with 20 percent support, behind Mondale and Hart with 39 and 32 percent respectively.
July 17, 1984: Addressed the Democratic National Convention
On July 17, 1984, Jesse Jackson addressed the Democratic National Convention in San Francisco, where he delivered his famous "Rainbow Coalition" speech. It was the first speech at a national convention to mention gays and lesbians.
1984: Request to Halt Execution
In 1984, Jesse Jackson and Coretta Scott King sent letters to Florida governor Bob Graham asking him to halt the scheduled execution of James Dupree Henry. The request was ultimately unsuccessful.
1984: Campaign for president of the United States
In 1984, Jesse Jackson campaigned for president of the United States. His candidacy divided support among black politicians, and even prominent African Americans such as Coretta Scott King, who supported his right to run, refrained from endorsing him due to their belief he would not win the nomination.
1984: Presidential Campaign
In 1984, Jesse Jackson launched his first presidential campaign, finishing third for the Democratic nomination.
1984: Organization of Rainbow Coalition
In 1984, Jesse Jackson organized the Rainbow Coalition and resigned as president of Operation PUSH to run for president of the United States.
1984: Jackson's Campaign Successes
In 1984, Jesse Jackson's campaign was better financed and organized than in 1984. He also more than doubled his previous results.
1984: Mention of Gays and Lesbians in Convention Speech
In 1984, while seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, Jesse Jackson became the first person to mention gays and lesbians in a major-party convention speech.
1984: Jackson's Support Quadrupled
In the February 8, 1984 Iowa caucus, Jesse Jackson came in fourth place behind Richard Gephardt, Paul Simon, and Michael Dukakis, though he had quadrupled his support there from his 1984 bid.
1984: White voter support
Jesse Jackson's showing among Wisconsin's white voters in 1984 was significantly better than in 1984 but also noticeably lower than pre-primary polling had predicted.
January 1985: Led a procession to the Washington Monument
In January 1985, concurrent with the second inauguration of Ronald Reagan, Jesse Jackson led several hundred supporters in a procession through downtown Washington to the grounds of the Washington Monument, advocating for the protection of the poor.
June 1986: Delivered commencement speech at Medgar Evers College and called for a war on drugs
In June 1986, Jesse Jackson delivered a commencement speech at Medgar Evers College lamenting ethical collapse and spiritual withdrawal among young people and, following the death of Len Bias, called for Reagan to announce a nationwide war on drugs.
1986: Speculation about a presidential run
By early 1986, there was speculation that Jackson would run for president again in 1988.
March 1987: Formed an exploratory committee for a potential presidential run
In March 1987, Jesse Jackson formed an exploratory committee, making him the second potential candidate to do so, after Gary Hart, for a potential presidential run in 1988.
April 1987: Spent six days in Iowa and moved his office to the rural part of the state
By April 1987, after previously having spent "all of half a day" in Iowa, Jesse Jackson had spent six days there throughout the year and moved his office to the rural part of the state instead of Des Moines.
October 11, 1987: Jackson Announces 1988 Presidential Candidacy
On October 11, 1987, Jesse Jackson announced his candidacy in the 1988 presidential election, leading in nine of the twelve Southern states in polling.
November 1987: Political Analysis of Jackson's Candidacy
In November 1987, analysts gave Jesse Jackson little chance of being nominated due to his race and liberal views. Allegations about his half-brother's criminal activity also interrupted his campaign. Despite this, his past successes, better financing, and organization made him a credible candidate.
1987: Effort to prevent campaign's deterioration
During the 1987 Chicago mayoral election, Jesse Jackson led an effort to get Chairman Paul G. Kirk to meet with the Cook County party leaders in Chicago to prevent the campaign's deterioration and avoid "dissension and splintering of the Democratic vote".
1987: Jackson's Campaign Platform
In 1987, Jesse Jackson's campaign platform included universal healthcare, higher taxes on the wealthy, defense spending cuts, the Equal Rights Amendment, banning discrimination against gays and lesbians, reducing the flow of drugs, and suspending nuclear weapons development. The New York Times called Jackson "a classic liberal in the tradition of the New Deal and the Great Society".
1987: Description of PUSH's Activities
In 1987, Operation PUSH's activities were described as conducting boycotts of businesses to induce them to provide more jobs and business to blacks and as running programs for housing, social services, and voter registration.
1987: Participation in March on Washington
In 1987, while seeking the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination, Jesse Jackson was one of the leaders of the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.
1988: Speculation about a presidential run
By early 1986, there was speculation that Jackson would run for president again in 1988.
1988: Jackson's Changed Stance on Abortion
In 1988, Jesse Jackson changed his views on abortion, supporting federal funding for abortion and arguing for freedom of choice.
1988: Second Presidential Bid
In 1988, Jesse Jackson mounted a second presidential bid, finishing as the runner‑up for the Democratic nomination.
1988: The Year of Jackson
In 1988, Jesse Jackson once again exceeded expectations as he more than doubled his previous results, prompting R. W. Apple of The New York Times to call 1988 "the Year of Jackson".
1988: 1988 Presidential Election
In 1988, Jesse Jackson was running for president. Polling showed that at the time of his announcement in October 1987, he 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: Jackson's 1988 Presidential Campaign
In 1988, Jesse Jackson's campaign received 6.9 million votes and won 11 contests. After the last primaries, Jackson met with Dukakis to discuss his platform and the possibility of being Dukakis' running mate. Ultimately, Dukakis chose Lloyd Bentsen, and Jackson expressed his strategy to "keep hope alive" until the Democratic National Convention.
1988: Potential Mayoral Run
In 1988, after District of Columbia Mayor Marion Barry was arrested, Jesse Jackson was under pressure to enter the mayoral race, but he declined.
1988: Presidential Nomination bid
In 1988, while seeking the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination, Jesse Jackson was one of the leaders of the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.
1988: Debt Imperils Operation PUSH
In early 1988, the continued existence of Operation PUSH was imperiled by debt, a fact that Jesse Jackson's political opponents used during his race for the 1988 Democratic Party nomination.
1990: Dinner Honoring The Joint Center
In 1990, Jesse Jackson attended a dinner honoring the 20th anniversary of The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, where George H. W. Bush spoke and teased Jackson.
1990: Election as Shadow Senator
In 1990, Jesse Jackson was elected as the District of Columbia's shadow senator.
November 1991: Jackson Declares He Will Not Run
In November 1991, Jesse Jackson declared he would not mount a third presidential bid and called for the creation of a "new democratic majority".
1991: Shadow Senator
In 1991, Jesse Jackson began serving as a shadow United States senator for the District of Columbia, a role he held until 1997.
January 1992: Hosting CNN Talk Show
In January 1992, Jesse Jackson began hosting a CNN talk show, Both Sides with Jesse Jackson.
April 26, 1992: Meeting with Bill Clinton
On April 26, 1992, Jesse Jackson and Bill Clinton met and announced their commitment to defeating George Bush in the general election.
1992: Hosting "Both Sides with Jesse Jackson"
In 1992, Jesse Jackson began hosting "Both Sides with Jesse Jackson" on CNN.
August 29, 1993: Commemoration of the March on Washington
On August 29, 1993, Jesse Jackson joined a gathering at the Lincoln Memorial to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, walking arm-in-arm with United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Henry Cisneros and United States Attorney General Janet Reno.
September 1996: Visit to Tupac Shakur in the hospital
In September 1996, Jesse Jackson visited rapper Tupac Shakur in the hospital after he was wounded in a drive-by shooting. Jackson commented on the violent culture and survival of the fittest mentality. SFGATE criticized his remarks.
1996: Introduction to Anheuser-Busch CEO
In 1996, Jesse Jackson family friend Ron Burkle introduced Anheuser-Busch CEO August Busch IV to Yusef Jackson, Jesse's son.
1997: End of Term as Shadow Senator
In 1997, Jesse Jackson did not run for reelection as "shadow senator" for the District of Columbia.
1998: Sons Head Beer Distribution Company
In 1998, Anheuser-Busch chose Jesse Jackson's sons, Yusef and Jonathan, to head River North Sales, a Chicago beer distribution company.
2000: Master of Divinity Degree Awarded
In 2000, Jesse Jackson was awarded a Master of Divinity degree by Chicago Theological Seminary, based on his previously earned credits and subsequent work and life experience.
2000: End of "Both Sides with Jesse Jackson"
In 2000, Jesse Jackson's show "Both Sides with Jesse Jackson" ended on CNN.
January 2001: Affair Revealed
In January 2001, it was revealed that Jesse Jackson had an affair with a staffer, Karin Stanford, which resulted in the birth of a daughter in May 1999. Jackson withdrew from activism for a short period due to this.
2001: Chicago Tribune Story
In 2001, the Chicago Tribune noted the moves related to the Anheuser-Busch boycott in a front-page story.
2002: New America
In 2002, Jesse Jackson said there was "a new America" and the world was abandoning the Jeffersonian democracy. He was also targeted by a white supremacist terror plot.
September 1, 2003: Arrested at Yale University protest
On September 1, 2003, Jesse Jackson was arrested for blocking traffic at Yale University while protesting in solidarity with striking workers.
2005: Yusef Jackson Interview
In a 2005 interview with Crain's Chicago Business, Yusef Jackson stated that there was no causal connection between the 1983 boycott and his purchase of the company in 1998.
2005: Supported Terri Schiavo's parents
In early 2005, Jesse Jackson visited Terri Schiavo's parents and supported their unsuccessful bid to keep her alive, aligning with Jeb Bush on this issue.
June 23, 2007: Arrested at gun store protest in Riverdale
On June 23, 2007, Jesse Jackson was arrested for criminal trespassing during a protest at a gun store in Riverdale, Chicago, due to allegations of selling firearms to gang members.
September 2008: Hospitalized with viral gastroenteritis
In September 2008, Jesse Jackson was admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital due to dehydration and stomach pains. Doctors diagnosed him with viral gastroenteritis.
2008: Honorary Fellowship from Edge Hill University
In 2008, Jesse Jackson was presented with an Honorary Fellowship from Edge Hill University, recognizing his contributions and achievements.
2009: Title of High Prince of the Agni people of Côte d'Ivoire
In 2009, Jesse Jackson inherited the title of High Prince of the Agni people of Côte d'Ivoire from Michael Jackson and was also crowned Prince Côte Nana.
February 2012: Demanded Arrest in Trayvon Martin Case
After the shooting of Trayvon Martin in February 2012, Jesse Jackson joined Martin's parents in demanding the arrest of George Zimmerman and called for repealing stand-your-ground laws.
2012: Commended Obama's support for gay marriage
In 2012, Jesse Jackson commended Obama's decision to support gay marriage and compared the fight for marriage equality to the fight against slavery.
July 2013: Meeting with Marissa Alexander and calling for sentence reduction
In July 2013, Jesse Jackson met with Marissa Alexander and advocated for Angela Corey to reduce Alexander's 20-year sentence. Jackson contrasted Alexander's sentence with George Zimmerman's acquittal, highlighting the disparity in justice.
January 2015: Panel Discussion at Stanford University
In January 2015, Jesse Jackson participated in a panel discussion at Stanford University, urging East Palo Alto residents to resist gentrification, even if it required marching to company headquarters. He also met with Silicon Valley leaders during this time.
January 2015: Marissa Alexander Released from Jail
In January 2015, Marissa Alexander was released from jail in Jacksonville, Florida, following a plea deal. The deal changed her sentence to three years, which she had already served.
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, recognizing his decades of campaigning for civil rights.
2016: Endorsement and commentary on the Presidential election
In 2016, Jesse Jackson initially declined to endorse either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders but later endorsed Clinton after she secured the nomination. He commented on Donald Trump's video regarding police killings, acknowledging its "significant remarks" but criticizing Trump's past actions. After Trump's election victory, Jackson urged him to unite the country.
November 2017: Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease
In November 2017, Jesse Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
January 2018: Sermon in Fort Washington, Maryland
In January 2018, Jesse Jackson delivered a sermon in Fort Washington, Maryland, where he criticized Donald Trump for being misleading and out of touch with the struggles of ordinary people due to his inherited wealth and privilege.
February 2019: Reaction to Jussie Smollett assault report
In February 2019, following the report of an assault on Jussie Smollett, Jesse Jackson initially described the attack as a "barbaric lynching" and criticized Trump for emboldening bigots. Later, after Smollett was charged with falsifying the attack, Jackson requested leniency for Smollett.
June 2019: Comments on Joe Biden's Stance on Segregation
In June 2019, as Joe Biden prepared to speak at Rainbow PUSH, Jesse Jackson expressed that he did not understand Biden's previous support for segregated school busing. However, he also stated his belief that Biden had changed his stance and voiced his opposition to states' rights.
2019: Comments on Ilhan Omar and Venezuelan Embassy Visit
In 2019, Jesse Jackson warned that Trump's false claims against Ilhan Omar could incite violence. Jackson also requested Trump to pardon Rod Blagojevich. Additionally, Jackson delivered food to activists occupying the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, D.C. during the Venezuelan presidential crisis.
March 2020: Endorsement of Bernie Sanders
In March 2020, Jesse Jackson endorsed Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary, citing Sanders' commitments to him. It was reported that Jackson requested Sanders choose an African-American woman as his running mate.
June 2020: Reaction to Breonna Taylor killing
In June 2020, following the killing of Breonna Taylor, Jesse Jackson commended Mayor Greg Fischer for announcing a review of police conduct and policies. He also criticized Senator Rand Paul for delaying a bill that would make lynching a hate crime.
April 2021: Reaction to Derek Chauvin verdict
In April 2021, after Derek Chauvin was convicted of George Floyd's murder, Jesse Jackson appeared with the Floyd family at a press conference and urged people to "learn to live together as brothers and sisters and not die apart".
August 3, 2021: Arrested during protest for voting rights
On August 3, 2021, Jesse Jackson was arrested with others for protesting, urging 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 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He was later moved to a rehabilitation facility.
June 2022: Overruling of Roe v. Wade
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 of Stepping Down as Leader of Rainbow/PUSH
In July 2023, Jesse Jackson announced his plan to step down as the leader of Rainbow/PUSH, citing his age and health complications, including Parkinson's disease and previous hospitalizations. Mayor Brandon Johnson and Al Sharpton commented on Jackson's legacy and contributions.
April 2025: Diagnosis change to progressive supranuclear palsy
In April 2025, Jesse Jackson's diagnosis was changed to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a neurodegenerative condition.
February 2026: Revelation of Friendship with Clinton
In February 2026, it was revealed that Jesse Jackson and Bill Clinton had been friends since they first met in Little Rock, Arkansas during the 20th anniversary celebration of the integration of Little Rock Central High School in 1977.
February 17, 2026: Death of Jesse Jackson
On February 17, 2026, Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. died. He was an American civil rights activist, LGBTQ rights activist, politician, and ordained Baptist minister.
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