Early Life and Education of Robert F. Kennedy: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Robert F. Kennedy, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) was a significant figure in American politics and law. He served as the 64th United States Attorney General from 1961 to 1964 and as a U.S. Senator from New York from 1965 until his assassination in 1968. At the time of his death, he was a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. A prominent member of the Democratic Party alongside his brothers John and Ted, RFK is remembered as an icon of modern American liberalism.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

November 20, 1925: Robert Francis Kennedy Born

On November 20, 1925, Robert Francis Kennedy, also known as RFK, was born. He later became a prominent American politician and lawyer, serving as the 64th United States attorney general and a U.S. senator from New York.

Others born on this day/year

1938: Moved to London

In 1938, Robert Kennedy moved to London with his family. Kennedy's father served as the U.S. ambassador to the Court of St James's from 1938 to 1940.

1940: Returned to the United States

In 1940, the Kennedy family returned to the United States just before the outbreak of World War II in Europe. Robert was then sent to boarding schools in New England.

September 1942: Enrolled at Milton Academy

In September 1942, Robert Kennedy enrolled at Milton Academy in Milton, Massachusetts, for his 11th and 12th grades. He later graduated from Milton in May 1944.

1943: Enlisted in United States Naval Reserve

In 1943, six weeks before his 18th birthday, Robert Kennedy enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve as a seaman apprentice. This marked the beginning of his military service.

March 1944: Released from Active Duty and Entered V-12 Program

In March 1944, Robert Kennedy was released from active duty in the United States Naval Reserve. He then entered the V-12 Navy College Training Program at Harvard College.

May 1944: Graduated from Milton Academy

In May 1944, Robert Kennedy graduated from Milton Academy, a preparatory school near Boston. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve.

August 1944: Death of Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.

In August 1944, Robert Kennedy's oldest brother, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., died when his bomber exploded during Operation Aphrodite. This event deeply affected Robert and his family.

November 1944: Relocated to Bates College

In November 1944, Robert Kennedy was relocated to Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, where he continued his education as part of the V-12 Navy College Training Program.

June 1945: Returned to Harvard

In June 1945, Robert Kennedy returned to Harvard after attending Bates College as part of the V-12 program. He completed his post-training requirements at Harvard.

December 15, 1945: USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Commissioned

On December 15, 1945, the U.S. Navy commissioned the destroyer USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy later requested to serve aboard it.

December 1945: Meeting Ethel Skakel

In December 1945, Robert Kennedy met Ethel Skakel during a skiing trip to Mont Tremblant Resort in Quebec, Canada.

January 1946: Completed Post-Training Requirements at Harvard

In January 1946, Robert Kennedy completed his post-training requirements at Harvard, marking the end of his involvement in the V-12 Navy College Training Program.

February 1, 1946: Served Aboard USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.

On February 1, 1946, Robert Kennedy began serving aboard the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. as a seaman apprentice. Kennedy served on the ship's shakedown cruise in the Caribbean.

May 30, 1946: Honorable Discharge from the Navy

On May 30, 1946, Robert Kennedy received his honorable discharge from the Navy. For his service, he was eligible for the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

September 1948: Enrolled at University of Virginia School of Law

In September 1948, Robert Kennedy enrolled at the University of Virginia School of Law in Charlottesville. He was elected president of the Student Legal Forum.

1948: Graduated from Harvard

In 1948, Robert Kennedy graduated from Harvard with a bachelor's degree in political science, marking the completion of his undergraduate education.

June 17, 1950: Marriage to Ethel Skakel

On June 17, 1950, Robert Kennedy married Ethel Skakel at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greenwich, Connecticut.

June 1951: Graduated from Law School

In June 1951, Robert Kennedy graduated from law school, finishing 56th in a class of 125. After graduation, he was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar.

October 1951: Asian Trip with John and Patricia Kennedy

In October 1951, Robert Kennedy, along with his brother John and sister Patricia, embarked on a seven-week trip to Asia, visiting Israel, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Japan. This trip strengthened the bond between the two brothers.

1951: Birth of Kathleen Kennedy

In 1951, Kathleen Kennedy, the first child of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, was born.

1952: Birth of Joseph Kennedy

In 1952, Joseph Kennedy, the second child of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, was born.

1954: Birth of Robert Kennedy Jr.

In 1954, Robert Kennedy Jr., the third child of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, was born.

1955: Birth of David Kennedy

In 1955, David Kennedy, the fourth child of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, was born.

1956: Birth of Mary Courtney Kennedy

In 1956, Mary Courtney Kennedy, the fifth child of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, was born.

1956: Purchase of Hickory Hill

In 1956, the Kennedys purchased Hickory Hill, a six-acre estate in McLean, Virginia, from Robert's brother John. Robert and Ethel hosted many gatherings there and were known for their impressive guest lists.

1958: Birth of Michael Kennedy

In 1958, Michael Kennedy, the sixth child of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, was born.

1959: Birth of Mary Kerry Kennedy

In 1959, Mary Kerry Kennedy, the seventh child of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, was born.

1960: Kennedy Addresses Anti-Catholicism

In 1960, Robert F. Kennedy encountered anti-Catholicism during his brother's presidential campaign and stated, "Anti-Catholicism is the anti-semitism of the intellectuals."

1962: Visit to the Vatican

In 1962, Robert and Ethel Kennedy visited the Vatican, where Pope John XXIII gave them medals and rosaries for themselves and their children.

August 1963: Re-interment of Patrick Bouvier Kennedy

In August 1963, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, son of President Kennedy, who died two days after birth, was re-interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

November 22, 1963: Assassination of President Kennedy

On November 22, 1963, Robert Kennedy was informed by J. Edgar Hoover that his brother, President Kennedy, had been shot in Dallas. Subsequently, Kennedy instructed McGeorge Bundy to change the locks on the president's files, ordered the Secret Service to dismantle the hidden taping system, and met with CIA director John McCone to inquire about the CIA's involvement in his brother's death.

December 5, 1963: Burial of President Kennedy's Infants

On December 5, 1963, after President Kennedy was interred in Arlington Cemetery, his two infants, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy and Arabella, were buried next to him in a private ceremony.

1963: Birth of Christopher Kennedy

In 1963, Christopher Kennedy, the eighth child of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, was born.

1963: Kennedy's Remarks from 1963

In 1963, Kennedy spoke against including Communists in coalition governments, though Kennedy's subject was Germany, not Vietnam

September 27, 1964: Statement on Warren Commission Report

On September 27, 1964, Robert Kennedy issued a statement through his New York campaign office that he was convinced Lee Harvey Oswald was solely responsible for the assassination of President Kennedy and that he did not have any outside help.

1964: Residence in Hyannis Port until 1964

Until 1964, Robert F. Kennedy and his wife maintained their legal residence in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod.

February 1965: Bothered by Bombing of North Vietnam

In February 1965, Robert F. Kennedy was bothered by the beginning of the bombing of North Vietnam, but he did not want to appear antagonistic toward President Johnson's agenda at the time.

May 1965: Kennedy Co-sponsors S.1592

In May 1965, Robert F. Kennedy co-sponsored S.1592, a bill proposed by President Johnson and sponsored by Senator Thomas J. Dodd, aimed at placing federal restrictions on mail-order gun sales. Kennedy argued that the bill would save lives and prevent grief by keeping deadly weapons away from those who should not have them.

June 1965: Kennedy Speech on Nuclear Proliferation

In June 1965, Robert F. Kennedy delivered a speech in the Senate on nuclear proliferation, drawing a large audience. This event highlighted his growing influence but also underscored his transition from a presidential advisor to a senator among many.

December 1965: Kennedy Advised Ceasefire

In December 1965, Robert F. Kennedy advised Defense Secretary Robert McNamara to counsel President Johnson to declare a ceasefire in Vietnam, a bombing pause over North Vietnam, and to consider Algeria as a mediator for peace talks.

1965: Birth of Maxwell Kennedy

In 1965, Maxwell Kennedy, the ninth child of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, was born.

1965: Criticism of Dominican Republic Intervention

In 1965, Robert F. Kennedy criticized U.S. intervention in the Dominican Republic, arguing that President Johnson had abandoned the reform aims of President Kennedy's Alliance for Progress.

1965: Purchase of Manhattan Apartment

In 1965, Robert F. Kennedy purchased an apartment at United Nations Plaza in Manhattan.

1965: Kennedy's Senate Strategy

In 1965, during his first year as a senator, Kennedy employed an "amendments-only" strategy. He successfully added an amendment to the Appalachian Regional Development Act to include 13 low-income New York counties. He also proposed funding for drug treatment and social security reform.

January 31, 1966: Kennedy's Speech on the Senate Floor

On January 31, 1966, Kennedy said in a speech on the Senate floor: "If we regard bombing as the answer in Vietnam, we are headed straight for disaster."

February 1966: Kennedy Releases Peace Plan

In February 1966, Robert F. Kennedy released a peace plan calling for preserving South Vietnam while allowing the National Liberation Front (Viet Cong) to join a coalition government in Saigon. This was seen as a break with President Johnson's policies.

February 23, 1966: Kennedy Flies with Johnson to New York

On February 23, 1966, Kennedy flew with Johnson on Air Force One to New York to dispel reports of a rift between them over Vietnam, despite their differing views on the conflict.

March 1966: Kennedy Investigates Farm Workers' Rights in Delano

In March 1966, Robert F. Kennedy traveled to Delano, California, to investigate the conditions of farm workers at the request of Walter Reuther. His presence at the third hearing on legislation to include farm workers under the National Labor Relations Act brought media attention to the issue.

June 1966: Kennedy Visits Apartheid-Era South Africa

In June 1966, Robert F. Kennedy, along with his wife Ethel, visited apartheid-era South Africa, a tour met with international praise. Kennedy spoke against the oppression of the native population and was welcomed by the black population.

1966: Left-Wing Algerian Government

In 1965-1966, The left-wing Algerian government indicated it was willing to serve as a conduit for peace talks, but most of Johnson's advisers were leery of the Algerian offer.

1966: Meeting with Pope Paul VI Regarding South Africa

In 1966, Robert F. Kennedy visited Pope Paul VI and urged him to address the poverty of South Africa's black population.

1966: Meeting with Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.

In 1966, after a meeting with Robert Kennedy, historian Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. wrote that Kennedy believed the Warren Commission's report was a poor job and would not endorse it, but was unwilling to criticize it and thereby reopen the tragic business.

April 1967: Kennedy Visits Mississippi Delta

In April 1967, Robert F. Kennedy visited the Mississippi Delta as part of the Senate committee reviewing "War on Poverty" programs. Witnessing the poverty and starvation deeply moved him, influencing his views and actions.

1967: Birth of Douglas Kennedy

In 1967, Douglas Kennedy, the tenth child of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, was born.

1967: Urging Pope Paul VI to Adapt Liberal Rhetoric

In 1967, Robert F. Kennedy asked Pope Paul VI to adopt more liberal rhetoric and extend the Church's appeal to Hispanics and other nationalities.

February 1968: Kennedy Visits Eastern Kentucky

In February 1968, Robert F. Kennedy visited eastern Kentucky as a member of the Senate committee reviewing the effectiveness of "War on Poverty" programs.

April 4, 1968: Indianapolis Speech Following MLK's Assassination

On April 4, 1968, following Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, Robert F. Kennedy delivered a speech in Indianapolis, quoting lines from Aeschylus.

May 1968: Kennedy Defends Gun Control Bill in Oregon

During a May 1968 campaign stop in Roseburg, Oregon, Robert F. Kennedy defended the gun control bill, stating it would keep firearms away from people who shouldn't have them, like the very young, criminals and the insane, according to reports at the time.

1968: Kennedy Decides to Challenge Johnson for the Presidency

In 1968, Robert Kennedy visited César Chávez in Delano, California, and decided to challenge Johnson for the presidency. He sought to have Eugene McCarthy withdraw from the race. Ted Kennedy opposed his brother's decision, advising him to wait until 1972.

1968: Birth of Rory Kennedy

In 1968, Rory Kennedy, the eleventh child of Robert and Ethel Kennedy, was born.

1968: Kennedy's Decision to Seek the Presidency

In 1968, after initially stating he wouldn't run, Robert F. Kennedy reconsidered seeking the presidency due to factors like the Tet Offensive and the Kerner Commission report on racial unrest, which influenced his decision to challenge Johnson.

1972: Ted Kennedy's Advice Against 1968 Presidential Bid

In 1968, as Robert Kennedy considered running for president, his brother Ted Kennedy advised him to wait until 1972, after Johnson's term, fearing a loss in the primaries could ruin his future chances.