Childhood and Education Journey of Mark Kelly in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Mark Kelly. A timeline of key moments.

Mark Kelly is an American politician, retired astronaut, and former naval officer. He currently serves as the senior United States senator from Arizona, a position he has held since 2020. Kelly is affiliated with the Democratic Party.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

February 21, 1964: Mark Kelly Born

On February 21, 1964, Mark Edward Kelly was born. He is an American politician, retired astronaut, and former naval officer.

Others born on this day/year

1982: Graduated High School

In 1982, Mark Kelly graduated from Mountain High School.

1982: Entered United States Merchant Marine Academy

In the summer of 1982, Mark Kelly entered the United States Merchant Marine Academy.

1986: Graduated from United States Merchant Marine Academy

In 1986, Mark Kelly graduated with honors from the United States Merchant Marine Academy with a BSc in marine engineering and nautical science.

January 7, 1989: Kelly married Amelia Victoria Babis

On January 7, 1989, Mark Kelly married Amelia Victoria Babis.

1994: Attended U.S. Naval Test Pilot School

From 1993 to 1994, after receiving his master's degree, Mark Kelly attended U.S. Naval Test Pilot School.

1994: Received MSc in Aeronautical Engineering

In 1994, Mark Kelly received a MSc in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School.

2003: Kelly Met Gabby Giffords on trade mission to China

In 2003, Mark Kelly met U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords on a trip to China as part of a trade mission sponsored by the National Committee on U.S.–China Relations.

2004: Kelly divorced Amelia Victoria Babis

In 2004, Mark Kelly divorced Amelia Victoria Babis. They had two daughters, Claudia and Claire Kelly.

November 10, 2007: Kelly Married Gabby Giffords

On November 10, 2007, Mark Kelly married U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords in Tucson, Arizona. The ceremony was attended by his STS-124 shuttle crew and former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich.

October 7, 2010: Scott Kelly Went to the ISS

On October 7, 2010, Scott Kelly went to the ISS. A potential rendezvous in space between the Kelly brothers was planned but ultimately did not occur.

January 8, 2011: Assassination attempt on Gabby Giffords

On January 8, 2011, Gabby Giffords was shot in an assassination attempt, resulting in six deaths and bringing national attention to Mark Kelly.

January 12, 2011: Memorial service for Tucson shooting victims

On January 12, 2011, a memorial service was held at the University of Arizona for those killed in the assassination attempt on Gabby Giffords. President Obama spoke at the memorial, and Mark Kelly attended and was consoled by Obama.

January 2011: Gabby Giffords Shooting

In January 2011, Mark Kelly's wife, Arizona Representative Gabby Giffords, was shot in an assassination attempt in Arizona.

February 3, 2011: Kelly spoke at National Prayer Breakfast

On February 3, 2011, Mark Kelly spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., where he shared how the attack on his wife, Gabby Giffords, had brought him closer to God and gave him a newfound awareness regarding prayer.

April 29, 2011: First Launch Attempt of STS-134 Scrubbed

On April 29, 2011, the first launch attempt of STS-134 was scrubbed. Gabby Giffords attended, marking her first trip since the assassination attempt. President Barack Obama also visited the Kennedy Space Center.

May 22, 2011: Call from Pope Benedict XVI to Endeavour

On May 22, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI called the Space Shuttle Endeavour, during which he extended his blessing to Gabby Giffords. This marked the first time a pope spoke to astronauts during a mission.

June 21, 2011: Announced Retirement from Navy and NASA

On June 21, 2011, Mark Kelly announced his retirement from both the Navy and NASA, effective October 1, citing Gabby Giffords's needs during her recovery.

June 24, 2011: Message for Wife via Song Lyrics

On June 24, 2011, a recorded message by Mark Kelly from the ISS wished his wife love using song lyrics from David Bowie's "Space Oddity" and introduced U2's song "Beautiful Day" at the Glastonbury festival.

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2011: Coauthored Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience

In 2011, Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords coauthored the book "Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience", which provides biographical information and details the assassination attempt on Giffords.

Gabby: A Story of Courage, Love and Resilience

Check it on Amazon

2011: Kelly became advocate for gun control in 2011

In 2011, Mark Kelly became an outspoken advocate for gun control following the attempted assassination of his wife, Gabby Giffords, in the Tucson mass shooting.

January 2013: Started Americans for Responsible Solutions

In January 2013, Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords started Americans for Responsible Solutions (ARS), a nonprofit political action committee promoting solutions to gun violence.

March 31, 2013: Called for Universal Background Checks

On March 31, 2013, Mark Kelly stated that "any bill that does not include a universal background check is a mistake" regarding gun control.

2013: Founded Americans for Responsible Solutions

In 2013, Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords founded Americans for Responsible Solutions, a political action committee campaigning for gun control.

2014: Coauthored Enough: Our Fight to Keep America Safe from Gun Violence

In 2014, Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly coauthored "Enough: Our Fight to Keep America Safe from Gun Violence."

Enough: Our Fight to Keep America Safe from Gun Violence

Check it on Amazon

2015: Kelly appeared on Celebrity Jeopardy!

In 2015, Mark Kelly appeared on an episode of Celebrity Jeopardy!.

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2016: Americans for Responsible Solutions merged with Law Center

In 2016, Americans for Responsible Solutions merged with the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence to become Giffords.

August 25, 2018: Death of John McCain

John McCain's death on August 25, 2018, created the Senate seat that Mark Kelly would later run for.

December 31, 2018: Jon Kyl Resigned

On December 31, 2018, Jon Kyl resigned from the Senate seat, which he held as an appointee after John McCain's death.

February 12, 2019: Announced Candidacy for U.S. Senate

On February 12, 2019, Mark Kelly announced his candidacy for Arizona's Class 3 U.S. Senate seat in the 2020 special election.

August 4, 2020: Won Democratic Primary

On August 4, 2020, Mark Kelly won the Democratic primary for Arizona's U.S. Senate seat.

2020: Kelly's stance on abortion rights in 2020

In 2020, as a candidate, Mark Kelly declared himself as "pro-choice" and received endorsement from Planned Parenthood. He voiced his support for codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law and expressed that late-stage abortions should be legally protected.