Jesse Jackson's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Jesse Jackson.

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.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1971: Named to Ebony Magazine's List

In 1971, Ebony Magazine named Jesse Jackson to its list of the "100 most influential black Americans".

1979: Jefferson Award

In 1979, Jesse Jackson received the Jefferson Award for Greatest Public Service Benefiting the Disadvantaged.

1983: Jackson Travels to Syria to Secure Release of American Pilot

In 1983, Jesse Jackson traveled to Syria and made a personal appeal to Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, securing the release of captured American pilot Navy Lt. Robert Goodman. Goodman had been shot down over Lebanon while on a mission to bomb Syrian positions.

January 4, 1984: Reagan Welcomes Jackson and Goodman to White House

On January 4, 1984, after Jesse Jackson secured the release of Navy Lt. Robert Goodman from Syria, President Reagan welcomed both Jackson and Goodman to the White House. This event boosted Jackson's popularity and served as a springboard for his 1984 presidential run.

March 1984: Jackson Gains Support in Primaries

In March 1984, a Washington Post-ABC News poll found Jackson in third place with 20 percent support in the Democratic primary race. Jackson's success in early primaries unified and raised expectations of black voters, drawing thousands of black Americans into the political process.

June 1984: Jackson Negotiates Release of Americans in Cuba

In June 1984, Jesse Jackson successfully negotiated the release of 22 Americans who were being held in Cuba, after receiving an invitation from Cuban President Fidel Castro.

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: 25th Anniversary of Presidential Campaign

In November 2009, the Congressional Black Caucus honored Jackson for the 25th anniversary of his 1984 presidential campaign.

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: NAACP President's Award

In 1988, the NAACP awarded Jesse Jackson its President's Award.

1991: James Madison Award

In 1991, Jesse Jackson received the American Whig-Cliosophic Society's James Madison Award for Distinguished Public Service.

1991: Jackson Secures Release of Foreign Nationals in Iraq

In 1991, on the eve of the Persian Gulf War, Jesse Jackson traveled to Iraq to plead with Saddam Hussein for the release of foreign nationals held as a "human shield," successfully securing the release of several British and 20 American individuals.

April 1999: Jackson Negotiates Release of U.S. POWs in Yugoslavia

In April 1999, during the Kosovo War, Jesse Jackson traveled to Belgrade and negotiated the release of three U.S. POWs captured on the Macedonian border. He met with then-Yugoslav president Slobodan Milošević, who agreed to release the men.

1999: Golden Doves for Peace journalistic prize

In 1999, Jesse Jackson received the Golden Doves for Peace journalistic prize awarded by the Italian Research Institute Archive Disarmo.

August 2000: Presidential Medal of Freedom

In August 2000, Jesse Jackson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Bill Clinton, the nation's highest honor for civilians.

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.

2002: Inclusion on List of 100 Greatest African Americans

In 2002, Jesse Jackson was included by scholar Molefi Kete Asante on his list of 100 Greatest African Americans.

February 2006: Voted 'Most Important Black Leader'

In February 2006, Jesse Jackson was voted "the most important black leader" in an AP-AOL "Black Voices" poll.

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.

November 2009: Congressional Black Caucus Honors Jackson

In November 2009, the Congressional Black Caucus honored Jesse Jackson for the 25th anniversary of his 1984 presidential campaign. He criticized black people voting against the health care bill, which was interpreted as a dig at Representative Artur Davis.

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.

December 2021: Elected Honorary Fellow of Homerton College, Cambridge

In December 2021, Jesse Jackson was elected an Honorary Fellow of Homerton College, Cambridge.

2021: Appointed Commander of the Legion of Honor

In 2021, Jesse Jackson was appointed Commander of the Legion of Honor, France's highest order of merit, by French President Emmanuel Macron, for his work in civil rights.