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 prominent American politician and lawyer, serving as the 64th U.S. Attorney General (1961-1964) and a U.S. Senator from New York (1965-1968). A leading figure in the Democratic Party and an icon of modern American liberalism, he was assassinated in June 1968 while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination. Like his brothers John and Ted, RFK was a significant force in American politics.
November 20, 1925: Robert F. Kennedy Born
On November 20, 1925, Robert Francis Kennedy, later known as RFK, was born. He became a prominent American politician and lawyer.
1938: Kennedy Family Moved to London
In 1938, Robert Kennedy and his family moved to London, where his father served as the U.S. ambassador to the Court of St James's.
1940: Kennedy Family Returned to the United States
In 1940, the Kennedy family returned to the United States from London, just before the outbreak of World War II in Europe.
September 1942: Attended Milton Academy
In September 1942, Robert Kennedy began attending Milton Academy in Milton, Massachusetts, for his 11th and 12th grades.
1943: Enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve
In 1943, Robert Kennedy enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve as a seaman apprentice, beginning his military service.
March 1944: Released from Active Duty
In March 1944, Robert Kennedy was released from active duty in the United States Naval Reserve to attend the V-12 Navy College Training Program.
May 1944: Graduated from Milton Academy
In May 1944, Robert Kennedy graduated from Milton Academy, marking the end of his preparatory schooling.
August 1944: Death of Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.
In August 1944, Robert Kennedy's oldest brother, Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., died during a volunteer mission in World War II, deeply affecting Robert and his family.
November 1944: Relocated to Bates College
In November 1944, Robert Kennedy was relocated to Bates College in Lewiston, Maine as part of the V-12 Navy College Training Program.
June 1945: Returned to Harvard
In June 1945, Robert Kennedy returned to Harvard to complete his post-training requirements.
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., named after Robert Kennedy's deceased brother.
December 1945: Meeting Ethel Skakel
In December 1945, Robert F. Kennedy met Ethel Skakel during a skiing trip to Mont Tremblant Resort in Quebec, Canada.
January 1946: Completed Post-Training Requirements
In January 1946, Robert Kennedy completed his post-training requirements at Harvard.
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.
May 30, 1946: Honorable Discharge from the Navy
On May 30, 1946, Robert Kennedy received his honorable discharge from the Navy after serving on the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr.
September 1948: Enrolled at the University of Virginia School of Law
In September 1948, Robert Kennedy enrolled at the University of Virginia School of Law in Charlottesville.
1948: Graduated from Harvard
In 1948, Robert Kennedy graduated from Harvard with a bachelor's degree in political science, concluding his undergraduate education.
June 17, 1950: Marriage to Ethel Skakel
On June 17, 1950, Robert F. 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 his class.
1951: Birth of Kathleen Kennedy
In 1951, Robert and Ethel Kennedy had their first child, Kathleen.
1952: Birth of Joseph Kennedy
In 1952, Robert and Ethel Kennedy had their second child, Joseph.
1954: Birth of Robert Kennedy Jr.
In 1954, Robert and Ethel Kennedy had their third child, Robert Jr.
1955: Birth of David Kennedy
In 1955, Robert and Ethel Kennedy had their fourth child, David.
1956: Birth of Mary Courtney Kennedy
In 1956, Robert and Ethel Kennedy had their fifth child, Mary Courtney.
1956: Purchase of Hickory Hill
In 1956, the Kennedys purchased Hickory Hill, a six-acre estate in McLean, Virginia, from Robert's brother John.
1958: Birth of Michael Kennedy
In 1958, Robert and Ethel Kennedy had their sixth child, Michael.
1959: Birth of Mary Kerry Kennedy
In 1959, Robert and Ethel Kennedy had their seventh child, Mary Kerry.
1960: Response to Anti-Catholicism During JFK's Campaign
In 1960, Robert F. Kennedy was deeply shaken by the anti-Catholicism he encountered during his brother's presidential campaign, particularly among Protestant intellectuals and journalists. He equated anti-Catholicism to the anti-semitism of intellectuals.
June 1961: Vienna Summit Setup
In June 1961, Robert Kennedy played a crucial role in setting up the Vienna Summit through a backchannel connection to Soviet GRU officer Georgi Bolshakov.
November 1961: Involvement in Operation Mongoose
In November 1961, Robert Kennedy served as President Kennedy's personal representative in Operation Mongoose, a covert program aimed at inciting revolution in Cuba.
December 1961: Expansion of the Civil Rights Division
In December 1961, Robert Kennedy expanded the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
1961: President Kennedy promised to make a reciprocal visit to Japan
In 1961, President Kennedy promised to make a reciprocal visit to Japan in 1962, but the decision to resume atmospheric nuclear testing forced him to postpone such a visit, and he sent Robert in his stead.
February 1962: Visit to Japan
In February 1962, Robert Kennedy visited Japan during a sensitive time in U.S.-Japan relations, engaging with the public and press. He debated a student activist at Waseda University, earning praise and improving relations between the two countries.
May 7, 1962: Briefing on CIA plots against Castro
On May 7, 1962, Robert Kennedy was briefed on a CIA plot involving Mafia bosses to assassinate Fidel Castro and directed the CIA to halt any existing efforts.
October 1962: Cuban Missile Crisis
During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, Robert Kennedy played a vital role in securing a blockade and averting war. On October 27, he secretly met with Soviet Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin and reached an understanding: the Soviets would withdraw missiles from Cuba in exchange for a U.S. pledge not to invade Cuba and the removal of Jupiter missiles from Turkey.
1962: Visit to the Vatican
In 1962, Pope John XXIII gave Robert and Ethel Kennedy medals of his Pontificate and rosaries for themselves and each of their seven children during their visit to the Vatican.
August 1963: Death of Patrick Bouvier Kennedy
In August 1963, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, son of President Kennedy, died two days after his birth.
November 22, 1963: Assassination of President Kennedy
On November 22, 1963, Robert Kennedy was informed by J. Edgar Hoover of his brother's assassination. He then instructed McGeorge Bundy to secure the president's files and asked CIA director John McCone about any CIA involvement.
December 5, 1963: Burial of Kennedy Infants
On December 5, 1963, after President Kennedy's interment, his two deceased infants, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy and Arabella, were buried next to him in Arlington Cemetery in a private ceremony.
December 1963: Continued expansion of the Civil Rights Division
Between December 1961 and December 1963, Robert Kennedy expanded the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division by 60 percent.
1963: Birth of Christopher Kennedy
In 1963, Robert and Ethel Kennedy had their eighth child, Christopher.
1963: Served as JFK's Closest Advisor Until Assassination
Until John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963, Robert Kennedy served as John's closest advisor, playing a key role in his administration.
April 1964: Gallup Poll on Vice-Presidential Choice
In April 1964, a Gallup poll indicated that Robert Kennedy was the preferred vice-presidential choice among 47 percent of Democratic voters, but Lyndon Johnson ultimately chose a different running mate due to their strained relationship.
June 1964: Offer to be Ambassador to South Vietnam
In June 1964, Robert Kennedy offered to succeed Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. as U.S. ambassador to South Vietnam, but President Johnson rejected the idea. He also considered leaving politics after his brother Ted's plane crash but decided to remain after a trip to Europe.
July 1964: Johnson's Statement on Running Mates
In July 1964, President Johnson issued a statement ruling out his current cabinet members, including Robert Kennedy, as potential running mates, leading to disappointment and criticism.
August 25, 1964: Announcement of Senate Candidacy
On August 25, 1964, Robert Kennedy announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate representing New York, resigning as attorney general on September 2. Despite criticisms, he received support from President Johnson.
September 27, 1964: Statement on Warren Commission Report
On September 27, 1964, Robert Kennedy issued a statement expressing his conviction that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the assassination of President Kennedy, despite not having read the Warren Commission report.
1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964
In 1964, Robert Kennedy collaborated with Presidents Kennedy and Johnson to create the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which aimed to end Jim Crow laws. He worked with Senator Hubert Humphrey and Senator Everett Dirksen to find language that would pass in Congress. He warned against racial tensions not just in the South, but also in the North, advocating for local efforts to address racial problems with whites and Black Americans working together.
1964: Legal residence until 1964
Until 1964, the couple owned a home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts on Cape Cod, their legal residence.
1965: Purchase of apartment in Manhattan
In 1965, Robert F. Kennedy purchased an apartment at United Nations Plaza in Manhattan.
1965: Birth of Maxwell Kennedy
In 1965, Robert and Ethel Kennedy had their ninth child, Maxwell.
March 1966: Kennedy Investigates Farm Workers' Rights in Delano, California
In March 1966, Kennedy visited Delano, California, to investigate the conditions of farm workers and held committee hearings on legislation to include farm workers in the National Labor Relations Act, leading to increased media coverage.
June 1966: Kennedy Visits Apartheid-Era South Africa
In June 1966, Robert Kennedy visited apartheid-era South Africa with his wife Ethel, speaking out against the oppression of the black population and receiving praise for his involvement in the politics of South Africa.
1966: Meeting with Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
After a meeting with Robert Kennedy in 1966, historian Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. noted that Kennedy believed the Warren Commission's report was poorly done but was unwilling to criticize it publicly.
1966: Visit to Pope Paul VI
In 1966, Robert F. Kennedy visited Pope Paul VI and urged him to address the misery and poverty of South Africa's black population.
April 1967: Kennedy Visits Mississippi Delta
In April 1967, Kennedy visited the Mississippi Delta as part of a Senate committee, where he was deeply moved by the poverty and starvation he witnessed.
1967: Requests to Pope Paul VI to adapt more liberal rhetoric
In 1967, Robert F. Kennedy asked Pope Paul VI to adapt more liberal rhetoric and extend the Church's appeal to Hispanics and other nationalities.
1967: Birth of Douglas Kennedy
In 1967, Robert and Ethel Kennedy had their tenth child, Douglas.
April 4, 1968: Indianapolis Speech Following MLK's Assassination
On April 4, 1968, following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Robert F. Kennedy delivered a speech in Indianapolis where he quoted lines from Aeschylus.
May 1968: Kennedy Defends Gun Control Bill in Oregon
During a May 1968 campaign stop in Roseburg, Oregon, Kennedy defended a gun control bill, emphasizing its importance in keeping firearms away from individuals with no legitimate need for them.
June 5, 1968: Shot After Winning California Primary
On June 5, 1968, shortly after winning the California primary, Robert Kennedy was shot by Sirhan Sirhan, an event that led to his death 25 hours later.
June 6, 1968: Robert F. Kennedy Assassinated
On June 6, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated while running for the Democratic presidential nomination, marking a tragic end to his life and career.
1968: Decision to run for president
In 1968, Robert F. Kennedy initially declined to run for president, citing the unrealistic challenge of running against an incumbent. However, after the Tet Offensive and influenced by a letter from Pete Hamill and the Kerner Commission report, Kennedy reconsidered, believing Johnson was not addressing racial unrest. This eventually led to him entering the presidential race in 1968.
1968: Kennedy decides to challenge Johnson for the presidency
In 1968, Robert Kennedy visited Cesar Chavez in Delano, California, and decided to challenge Johnson for the presidency. He asked Eugene McCarthy to drop out of the race, while Ted Kennedy advised him to wait until 1972.
1968: Birth of Rory Kennedy
In 1968, Robert and Ethel Kennedy had their eleventh child, Rory.
1971: Publication of 'We Band of Brothers'
In his 1971 book We Band of Brothers, aide Edwin O. Guthman recounted Kennedy admitting to him an hour after receiving word of his brother's death that he thought he would be the one "they would get" as opposed to his brother.
2007: Release of "Family Jewels" Documents
In 2007, the CIA declassified the "Family Jewels" documents, which suggested Robert Kennedy authorized an assassination attempt on Fidel Castro before the Bay of Pigs Invasion, though other evidence contradicts this.
2009: Burial of Edward M. Kennedy
In 2009, Senator Edward M. Kennedy was buried at night, similar to Robert F. Kennedy's burial.
