History of Rachel Maddow in Timeline

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Rachel Maddow

Rachel Maddow is an American television news program host and a well-known liberal political commentator. She is best known for hosting "The Rachel Maddow Show," a prominent weekly television show on MSNBC. Additionally, she serves as the cable network's special event co-anchor, playing a significant role in covering major news events. Before her television career, Maddow hosted a syndicated talk radio program of the same name on Air America Radio from 2005 to 2010, establishing her presence in political commentary across different media platforms.

1944: World War II Sedition Trial

The podcast 'Ultra' series, launched by Rachel Maddow and MSNBC in October 2022, chronicles U.S. right-wing extremism during the 1940s and World War II, including the 1944 sedition trial.

April 1, 1973: Rachel Maddow's Birth

On April 1, 1973, Rachel Anne Maddow was born. She would later become a prominent television news program host and liberal political commentator.

Others born on this day/year

1973: Spiro Agnew Scandal

The podcast 'Bag Man', which Rachel Maddow launched in October 2018, focuses on the 1973 political scandal surrounding Vice President Spiro Agnew.

1994: Graduation from Stanford

In 1994, Rachel Maddow graduated from Stanford with a degree in public policy and was awarded the John Gardner Fellowship.

1995: Rhodes Scholarship

In 1995, Rachel Maddow began her postgraduate studies at Lincoln College, Oxford, as a Rhodes Scholar, making her the first openly lesbian winner of the scholarship.

1999: Maddow meets partner Susan Mikula

In 1999, Rachel Maddow met her partner, artist Susan Mikula, while Maddow was working on her doctoral dissertation.

1999: First Radio Host Job

In 1999, Rachel Maddow's first job as a radio host was at WRNX in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

2001: Doctorate from University of Oxford

In 2001, Rachel Maddow earned a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in politics from the University of Oxford with a thesis on HIV/AIDS and health care reform in British and American prisons.

2002: Campaign for War

Rachel Maddow spoke of the campaign in 2002 to agree to a war based on something that did not happen the way they said it happened.

2003: Opposition to the Invasion of Iraq

Rachel Maddow opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

2003: Campaign for War

Rachel Maddow spoke of the campaign in 2003 to agree to a war based on something that did not happen the way they said it happened.

2004: Joining Air America

In 2004, Rachel Maddow left WRSI to join the new Air America radio network.

March 2005: Unfiltered Cancellation

In March 2005, the radio show 'Unfiltered,' co-hosted by Rachel Maddow, Chuck D, and Lizz Winstead, was canceled.

April 2005: The Rachel Maddow Show Radio Program Begins

In April 2005, two weeks after the cancellation of 'Unfiltered', Rachel Maddow's weekday two-hour radio program, 'The Rachel Maddow Show,' began airing.

June 2005: Regular Panelist on Tucker

In June 2005, Rachel Maddow became a regular panelist on the MSNBC show 'Tucker', hosted by Tucker Carlson.

2005: Radio Program on Air America

In 2005, Rachel Maddow's syndicated talk radio program, 'The Rachel Maddow Show', began airing on Air America Radio.

November 2006: Guest on CNN's Paula Zahn Now

During and after the November 2006 election, Rachel Maddow was a guest on CNN's 'Paula Zahn Now'.

January 2008: MSNBC Political Analyst

In January 2008, Rachel Maddow became an MSNBC political analyst and was a regular panelist on MSNBC's 'Race for the White House' with David Gregory and MSNBC's election coverage, as well as a frequent contributor on 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann'.

March 2008: The Rachel Maddow Show Gains Third Hour

In March 2008, 'The Rachel Maddow Show' on radio gained a third hour, broadcasting from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

July 2008: Substitute Host for Countdown with Keith Olbermann

In July 2008, Rachel Maddow was the substitute host for 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann' on MSNBC and filled in for David Gregory as host of 'Race for the White House'.

August 2008: The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC Announced

In August 2008, MSNBC announced 'The Rachel Maddow Show' would replace 'Verdict with Dan Abrams' in the network's 9:00 p.m. slot the following month, making Maddow the first openly gay or lesbian host of a primetime news program in the United States.

2008: Time Profile of Maddow

A 2008 Time profile described Rachel Maddow as a "whip-smart, button-cute leftie" who radiates decency.

2008: Non-Support of Candidates

During the 2008 presidential election, Rachel Maddow did not formally support any candidate.

2009: Radio Show Moved to One-Hour Timeslot

In 2009, after renewing her contract with Air America, Rachel Maddow's radio show was moved to a one-hour timeslot at 5:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

January 2010: Maddow interviews Tracey Ullman

In January 2010, Rachel Maddow invited Tracey Ullman, who played Maddow on her Showtime comedy series Tracey Ullman's State of the Union, on her show and interviewed her.

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January 21, 2010: End of The Rachel Maddow Show Radio Program

On January 21, 2010, 'The Rachel Maddow Show' radio program ended when Air America ceased operations.

March 2010: Maddow writes introduction to Batwoman: Elegy

In March 2010 Rachel Maddow wrote the introduction to the Batwoman: Elegy trade paperback, in which she noted her appreciation for the work of writer Greg Rucka. She also appeared as herself on the Netflix series House of Cards.

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Batwoman: Elegy
Batwoman: Elegy

2010: Political Views

In 2010, Rachel Maddow described herself as a liberal in almost total agreement with the Eisenhower-era Republican Party platform.

2010: End of Air America Radio Program

In 2010, Rachel Maddow's talk radio program on Air America Radio concluded its run.

2010: Speculation of Senate Run

In 2010, Republican Senator Scott Brown speculated that Rachel Maddow was going to run against him in the 2012 Senate election, a claim she repeatedly denied.

2011: Newsweek Profile of Maddow

A 2011 Newsweek profile described Rachel Maddow as capable of debating ideological opponents with civility but also criticized her for sometimes sounding like a partisan when ripping Republicans.

2012: Publication of Drift

In 2012, Rachel Maddow wrote 'Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power', which reached the first position on The New York Times Best Seller list for hardcover nonfiction.

Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power
Drift: The Unmooring of American Military Power

2012: Senate Election

In 2012, it was Elizabeth Warren who ran in the Senate election, defeating Scott Brown, after there had been speculation that Rachel Maddow would run.

2012: Maddow discusses her experience with cyclical depression

In a 2012 interview, Rachel Maddow discussed her experience with cyclical depression, stating that it is something she has coped with for as long as she can remember and felt a responsibility to speak about it.

February 2013: Comparison of Iraq War to Vietnam

In February 2013, Rachel Maddow talked about the 2003 invasion of Iraq and compared to the war in Vietnam.

November 3, 2013: Maddow appears on The Simpsons

On November 3, 2013, Rachel Maddow appeared as a character on The Simpsons episode "Four Regrettings and a Funeral".

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December 2013: Opinion Column for The Washington Post

In December 2013, The Washington Post announced that Rachel Maddow would write a monthly opinion column for the paper.

2016: Maddow suggests Trump-Russia collusion continued beyond 2016 election

In 2016, Rachel Maddow suggested that the alleged Trump-Russia collusion has continued beyond the 2016 presidential election.

March 2017: Maddow blames Russia for WikiLeaks' Vault 7 disclosure

In March 2017, Rachel Maddow blamed Russia for WikiLeaks' Vault 7 disclosure of the CIA's hacking tools, suggesting that Putin hates and wants to beat the CIA.

May 2017: MSNBC Surpasses CNN and Fox News

In mid-May 2017, amidst controversies surrounding the Trump administration, MSNBC surpassed CNN and Fox News in the news ratings, with 'The Rachel Maddow Show' being the No. 1 non-sports program on cable for the week of May 15.

March 2, 2018: Crossword Puzzle in The New York Times

On March 2, 2018, The New York Times published Rachel Maddow's first crossword puzzle, in collaboration with Joe DiPietro.

October 2018: Podcast Launch

In October 2018, Rachel Maddow launched the podcast 'Bag Man,' produced with MSNBC.

October 2018: Maddow Questions Trump's Business Ties to Saudi Arabia

In October 2018, following the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, Rachel Maddow argued that Donald Trump's business ties to Saudi Arabia were raising some troubling questions.

December 2018: Maddow Criticizes Trump's Decision to Withdraw Troops from Syria

In December 2018, Rachel Maddow criticized President Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria.

September 10, 2019: Defamation Lawsuit Filed by OAN

On September 10, 2019, the One America News Network (OAN) filed a $10 million lawsuit against Rachel Maddow for describing the network as "paid Russian propaganda" on her program on July 22.

October 2019: Publication of Blowout

In October 2019, Rachel Maddow's second book, 'Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth', was published.

Summary and Analysis of Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth: A Companion to The Book by Rachel Maddow
Summary and Analysis of Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth: A Companion to The Book by Rachel Maddow

2019: Publication of Blowout

In 2019, Rachel Maddow's book 'Blowout' was published.

May 22, 2020: Dismissal of OAN Lawsuit

On May 22, 2020, Judge Cynthia Bashant dismissed the case filed by OAN against Rachel Maddow, finding that the contested statement was an opinion and could not be the basis for defamation.

July 2020: Maddow predicts terrible unemployment figures

In July 2020, Rachel Maddow predicted that the unemployment figures covering the previous month would be "absolutely terrible," a prognostication later deemed incorrect by Politico.

December 2020: Publication of Bag Man

In December 2020, Rachel Maddow's third book, 'Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House', written with Michael Yarvitz, was published.

Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-Up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House
Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-Up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House

March 2021: Grammy Award for Blowout Audiobook

In March 2021, the audiobook version of Rachel Maddow's 'Blowout' won the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.

May 2021: Maddow named as an example of reporter manipulated by private intelligence

In May 2021, former New York Times reporter Barry Meier cited Rachel Maddow as an example of how reporters can be manipulated by private intelligence sources in his book Spooked: The Trump Dossier, Black Cube, and the Rise of Private Spies.

Spooked: The Trump Dossier, Black Cube, and the Rise of Private Spies
Spooked: The Trump Dossier, Black Cube, and the Rise of Private Spies

August 2021: Affirmation of Decision in Favor of Maddow

In August 2021, the United States Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the decision in favor of Rachel Maddow, and required Herring to pay Maddow's attorneys' fees.

2021: Advocacy for Vaccination

During 2021, Rachel Maddow was an outspoken advocate for vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021: Maddow undergoes surgery for cancerous skin growth

In 2021, Rachel Maddow had surgery to remove a cancerous skin growth from her neck.

2021: Grammy Award for Blowout Audiobook

In 2021, Rachel Maddow received a Grammy Award for the audiobook version of her book, 'Blowout'.

April 2022: Hiatus for Film Production

In April 2022, Rachel Maddow took a hiatus from her show to coincide with production on the film adaptation of 'Bag Man'.

Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-Up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House
Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-Up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House

May 2022: Move to Weekly Broadcast

As of May 2022, Rachel Maddow's show moved to a weekly broadcast on Mondays.

October 2022: Launch of Ultra Podcast

In October 2022, Rachel Maddow and MSNBC launched 'Ultra', a podcast series chronicling U.S. right-wing extremism during the 1940s and World War II.

2022: Film Adaptation of Bag Man

In 2022, it was announced that a film adaptation of the 'Bag Man' podcast was in production, with Ben Stiller attached to direct and Lorne Michaels to produce, and Rachel Maddow as an executive producer.

October 17, 2023: Publication of Prequel

On October 17, 2023, Rachel Maddow's fourth book, 'Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism' was published, which is based on her podcast Ultra.

Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism
Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism

2023: Maddow makes a cameo in Red, White & Royal Blue

In 2023, Rachel Maddow makes a cameo as herself in the romance film Red, White & Royal Blue.

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