Early Life and Education of John Kerry: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of John Kerry, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

John Forbes Kerry is an American politician and diplomat, notable for serving as the 68th United States Secretary of State under President Barack Obama and as a U.S. Senator representing Massachusetts for nearly three decades. He was the Democratic nominee for President in 2004, ultimately losing to George W. Bush. More recently, Kerry served as the first U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, highlighting his continued involvement in significant political and environmental issues on a global scale.

Sections (6)

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

1901: Conversion to Catholicism

In 1901, John Kerry's grandfather Frederick A. "Fred" Kerry, his wife, and his brother converted from Judaism to Catholicism and changed their names from Kohn to Kerry.

1905: Emigration to the United States

In 1905, John Kerry's grandparents, Fred and Ida Kerry, emigrated from the Austro-Hungarian Empire to the United States.

1915: Moved to Brookline, Massachusetts

By 1915, Fred and Ida Kerry moved to Brookline, Massachusetts.

December 11, 1943: John Kerry's Birth

John Forbes Kerry was born on December 11, 1943. He is an American attorney, politician, diplomat, and former naval officer.

1944: Father's Discharge from the Army Air Corps

John Kerry was initially considered a military brat until his father was discharged from the United States Army Air Corps in 1944.

1957: Father Stationed in Oslo and Kerry Sent to Boarding School

In 1957, John Kerry's father was stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway, and Kerry was sent back to the United States to attend boarding school.

1960: Played bass in The Electras

In 1960, while at St. Paul's, John Kerry played bass in a minor rock band called The Electras with six of his classmates.

1961: Album printed for The Electras

In 1961, The Electras had about five hundred copies of one album printed, which they sold some of at dances at the school

1962: Attendance at Yale University

In 1962, John Kerry attended Yale University, majoring in political science and residing in Jonathan Edwards College.

March 1965: Ten Eyck Prize

In March 1965, John Kerry won the Ten Eyck prize as the best orator in the junior class for a speech that was critical of U.S. foreign policy.

1966: Graduation from Yale

In 1966, John Kerry graduated from Yale with a bachelor of arts degree.

1966: Enlistment in the Naval Reserve

In 1966, after graduating from Yale University, John Kerry enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve and later attained the rank of lieutenant.

December 3, 1968: Shrapnel Wound Received

During the night of December 2 and early morning of December 3, 1968, John Kerry was in charge of a small boat operating near Cam Ranh Bay. He received a shrapnel wound in the left arm above the elbow for which he received his first Purple Heart Medal.

February 20, 1969: Wound on the Bồ Đề River

On February 20, 1969, John Kerry received his second Purple Heart for a wound received in action on the Bồ Đề River, when his boat was hit by a B-40 rocket, and a piece of shrapnel hit Kerry's left leg.

February 28, 1969: Silver Star Medal Awarded

On February 28, 1969, John Kerry was awarded his Silver Star Medal for his actions during a combat operation on the Duong Keo River where he killed a Viet Cong insurgent and captured his loaded rocket launcher.

March 1, 1969: Press Release Written

On March 1, 1969, a press release was written documenting John Kerry's actions for which he was awarded the Silver Star Medal.

March 13, 1969: Operation Sealords mission

On March 13, 1969, John Kerry was in charge of one of five Swift Boats that were returning to their base after performing an Operation Sealords mission on the Bái Háp River.

March 17, 1969: Historical Summary

On March 17, 1969, a historical summary was created documenting John Kerry's actions for which he was awarded the Silver Star Medal.

April 22, 1971: Kerry Appears Before U.S. Senate Committee and Throws Medals in Protest

On April 22, 1971, John Kerry appeared before a U.S. Senate committee regarding proposals to end the Vietnam War. The day after, he joined thousands of veterans in a demonstration at the United States Capitol, throwing his and other veterans' medals and service ribbons over a fence to protest the war. Kerry stated he was doing it for peace and justice.

May 30, 1971: Kerry Arrested During VVAW March

On May 30, 1971, John Kerry was arrested during a Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) march in Lexington, Massachusetts. Kerry and 440 other demonstrators were arrested for trespassing while trying to camp on the village green. They were later fined $5 each.

1972: Kerry Buys a House in Lowell

After his defeat in 1972, John Kerry and his wife purchased a house in the Belvidere section of Lowell, Massachusetts. He worked as a fundraiser for CARE.

September 5, 1973: Birth of Alexandra Kerry

On September 5, 1973, Alexandra Kerry, John Kerry's daughter, was born.

September 1973: Kerry Enrolls at Boston College Law School

In September 1973, John Kerry began his studies at Boston College Law School.

1976: Kerry Graduates from Law School and Admitted to the Bar

In 1976, John Kerry received his juris doctor (J.D.) from Boston College, passed the bar exam, and was admitted to the Massachusetts bar. Subsequently, he began working as a full-time prosecutor in the office of the District Attorney of Middlesex County.

December 31, 1976: Birth of Vanessa Kerry

On December 31, 1976, Vanessa Kerry, John Kerry's daughter, was born.

1982: Separation from Julia Thorne

In 1982, Julia Thorne asked John Kerry for a separation while she was suffering from severe depression.

July 25, 1988: Divorce from Julia Thorne

On July 25, 1988, John Kerry and Julia Thorne were divorced. They had separated in 1982 while she was suffering from severe depression.

1990: Introduction to Teresa Heinz

In 1990, John Kerry was introduced to Teresa Heinz by her husband at an Earth Day rally.

May 26, 1995: Marriage to Teresa Heinz

On May 26, 1995, John Kerry married Teresa Heinz in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Teresa Heinz is a Portuguese-born businesswoman and philanthropist.

1997: Marriage Annullment

In 1997, John Kerry's marriage to Julia Thorne was formally annulled.

2002: Death of Rosemary Forbes Kerry

In 2002, John Kerry's mother, Rosemary Forbes Kerry, died. Kerry is the beneficiary of trusts inherited from Forbes family relatives.

2003: Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

In 2003, John Kerry was diagnosed with and successfully treated for prostate cancer.

2003: Informed about Jewish Ancestry

In 2003, John Kerry was informed by a reporter about his Jewish ancestry.

2003: Lieutenant Commander George Elliott Stated

In 2003, Lieutenant Commander George Elliott stated to Douglas Brinkley that he did not know whether to court-martial John Kerry for beaching the boat without orders or give him a medal for saving the crew.

2004: Thorne supported Kerry's presidential run

In 2004, Thorne supported Kerry's presidential run.

2004: Public Revelation of Jewish Ancestry

In 2004, during John Kerry's presidential campaign, his Jewish ancestry was publicly revealed, although he stated he was unaware of it until 2003 when a reporter informed him.

2004: Teresa Heinz Kerry's Estimated Net Worth

In 2004, the Forbes 400 survey estimated Teresa Heinz Kerry's net worth to be $750 million.

April 27, 2006: Death of Julia Thorne

On April 27, 2006, John Kerry's former wife, Julia Thorne, died of cancer. She had supported his 2004 presidential run.

July 23, 2010: Report on New Yacht Construction

On July 23, 2010, the Boston Herald reported that John Kerry commissioned the construction of a new $7 million yacht in New Zealand.

2011: Kerry's Financial Disclosure Form

In 2011, John Kerry's financial disclosure form put his personal assets in the range of $230,000,000 to $320,000,000.

August 21, 2013: Advocating military force against the Syrian government

Following the August 21, 2013, chemical weapons attack on Ghouta suburbs of Damascus, John Kerry became a leading advocate for the use of military force against the Syrian government, citing the "despot's brutal and flagrant use of chemical weapons".

November 2013: Remarks on the Monroe Doctrine

In November 2013, John Kerry stated that the era of the Monroe Doctrine was over. Kerry clarified this meant a shift towards a relationship where the U.S. views other American states as equals, sharing responsibilities and cooperating on security issues.

2013: Increase in H. J. Heinz Company Assets

In 2013, John Kerry's H. J. Heinz Company assets increased in value by over $600,000 after Berkshire Hathaway announced their intention to purchase the company.

January 2014: Meeting with Vatican Secretary of State

In January 2014, John Kerry met with Vatican Secretary of State Archbishop Pietro Parolin. They discussed major issues including the situation in Syria, with Kerry expressing appreciation for the Archbishop's and Pope's support for the Geneva II process and concern for displaced persons and violence.

2014: Support for Israel's right to defend itself

In 2014, John Kerry expressed his support for Israel's right to defend itself during the Israel-Gaza conflict.

May 31, 2015: Biking Accident in France

On May 31, 2015, John Kerry broke his right leg in a biking accident in Scionzier, France, and was flown to Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital for recovery.

November 11, 2016: Visit to Antarctica

On November 11, 2016, John Kerry became the first Secretary of State and highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Antarctica. He spent two days meeting with researchers and staying overnight at McMurdo Station.

2016: Investment in Wireless Broadband Network in India

In 2016, John Kerry, in partnership with OPIC, announced an investment of $171 million to enable a low-cost and rapidly scalable wireless broadband network in India through Tikona Digital Networks, using wireless technology.

January 20, 2017: Retirement from diplomatic work and participation in Women's March

On January 20, 2017, John Kerry retired from his diplomatic work following the end of the Obama administration. He did not attend Donald Trump's inauguration and participated in the 2017 Women's March in Washington, D.C the following day.

April 2017: Purchase of Property on Martha's Vineyard

In April 2017, John Kerry purchased an 18-acre property on Martha's Vineyard for $11.75 million. The property is located in Seven Gates Farm.

2017: Reversal on Nuclear Power Position

In 2017, John Kerry reversed his earlier position on nuclear power and voiced his support, stating "Given this challenge we face today, and given the progress of fourth generation nuclear: go for it. No other alternative, zero emissions."

November 2018: "Guardian Live" conversation on migration and climate change

In November 2018, John Kerry participated in a "Guardian Live" conversation with Andrew Rawnsley, sponsored by The Guardian in London, discussing migration into Europe and climate change.

June 2023: Visits to Israel, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates

In June 2023, John Kerry visited Israel, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. In Israel, he emphasized the need for climate legislation to reach climate targets and reached an agreement about the renewal of the "Memorandum of understanding between Israel and the United States Environmental Protection Agency."

July 2023: Visit to India and climate commitment declaration

At the end of July 2023, John Kerry visited India. He declared that the US will be committed to the target of delivering 100 billion dollars for climate action to low income countries and that no future US president can retreat from climate commitment. Kerry criticized Donald Trump for leaving the Paris agreement.

July 2023: Climate cooperation visit to China

In July 2023, John Kerry visited China to advance climate cooperation. The visit resulted in progress in areas such as methane reduction commitments, reducing China's reliance on coal, China's objections to trade restrictions on solar panel and battery components, and climate finance. Kerry specifically mentioned the 2023 Asia heat wave.