History of Walter Mondale in Timeline
Walter Mondale was an American politician and lawyer who served as the 42nd Vice President under President Jimmy Carter. Before his vice presidency, he served as a U.S. Senator for Minnesota from 1964-1976. In 1984, he was the Democratic Party's presidential nominee. However, he lost the election to Ronald Reagan by a landslide, both in the Electoral College and the popular vote. His career was primarily marked by his service within the Democratic Party, spanning from the Senate to the vice presidency, culminating in an unsuccessful presidential bid.
1926: Birth of Pete Mondale
Walter Mondale's brother, Clarence "Pete" Mondale, was born in 1926.
January 5, 1928: Birth of Walter Mondale
Walter Mondale was born on January 5, 1928, in Ceylon, Minnesota.
1934: Move to Heron Lake
The Mondale family moved from Ceylon to Heron Lake, Minnesota, in 1934.
1936: Alf Landon's Loss
In 1936, Alf Landon suffered a significant electoral defeat against Franklin D. Roosevelt.
1937: Move to Elmore
The Mondale family moved to Elmore, Minnesota, in 1937.
1948: Involvement in Humphrey's Campaign
In 1948, Walter Mondale helped organize Hubert Humphrey's successful Senate campaign.
1948: Death of Theodore Mondale
Walter Mondale's father, Theodore Mondale, died in 1948.
1951: Enlists in the Army
Walter Mondale enlisted in the United States Army in 1951.
1951: Graduation and Military Service
Walter Mondale graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1951 and enlisted in the U.S. Army.
1951: College Graduation
Walter Mondale graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1951.
1952: Works on Freeman's Campaign
Walter Mondale worked on Orville Freeman's unsuccessful campaign for governorship in 1952.
1953: Discharge from the Army
Walter Mondale was discharged from the Army in 1953.
1954: Works on Freeman's Campaign
Walter Mondale worked on Orville Freeman's successful campaign for governorship in 1954.
1956: Law Degree and Marriage
Walter Mondale earned his law degree in 1956.
1956: Graduates from Law School
Walter Mondale graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1956.
1958: Works on Freeman's Re-election Campaign
Walter Mondale worked on Orville Freeman's re-election campaign in 1958.
1960: Appointed Attorney General
In 1960, Walter Mondale was appointed Minnesota Attorney General.
1960: Member of President's Consumer Advisory Council
Walter Mondale served on the President's Consumer Advisory Council starting in 1960.
1961: Selection of North American Aviation as Apollo Contractor
In 1961, North American Aviation was selected as the prime contractor for the Apollo spacecraft. This decision later became a point of contention following the Apollo 1 fire.
1962: Elected Attorney General
Walter Mondale was elected to a full term as Attorney General in 1962.
December 30, 1964: Appointed to the Senate
Walter Mondale was appointed to the United States Senate on December 30, 1964.
1964: Entry to the Senate
Mondale entered the Senate in 1964, taking over Hubert Humphrey's seat.
1964: End of term on President's Consumer Advisory Council
Walter Mondale finished his term on the President's Consumer Advisory Council in 1964.
1964: Role in Democratic National Convention
Walter Mondale played a role in a proposed compromise at the 1964 Democratic National Convention.
1964: Start of Senate Career
Walter Mondale's career in the U.S. Senate began in 1964.
December 1965: Phillips Report on Apollo Program Issues
In December 1965, an internal NASA report by Samuel C. Phillips detailed management and quality problems with the Apollo prime contractor.
January 1966: Phillips Report Briefing
In January 1966, a briefing on the Phillips report was presented to Robert C. Seamans.
1966: Mondale and Congressional Committee Concerns
In 1966, Mondale and the Congressional committee expressed concerns about NASA's handling of the Phillips report findings.
1966: Elected to the U.S. Senate
Walter Mondale was elected to a full Senate term in 1966.
April 5, 1967: NASA's Apollo 1 Accident Investigation Report Released
On April 5, 1967, NASA released its internal investigation report on the Apollo 1 accident.
1967: Apollo 1 Fire and Investigation
In 1967, Mondale was on the Aeronautical and Space Sciences Committee during the Apollo 1 fire tragedy. NASA launched an internal investigation into the accident.
January 30, 1968: Congressional Report on Apollo 1 Fire
On January 30, 1968, a Congressional report concluded that the Phillips report findings were not related to the Apollo 1 accident, although Mondale issued a minority opinion criticizing NASA's handling of the situation.
1972: Declined Vice-Presidential Nomination, Re-elected to Senate
In 1972, Walter Mondale declined the offer to be George McGovern's vice-presidential running mate. He was re-elected to the Senate with a significant majority.
1972: Re-elected to the U.S. Senate
Walter Mondale was re-elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972.
1974: Focused on Domestic Policy, Developed Interest in Foreign Policy
In 1974, Mondale concentrated on building the Democratic party's center on economic and social issues. He began to develop his understanding of foreign policy, taking a centrist stance.
1975: Member of Church Committee
In 1975, Mondale served on the Church Committee, which investigated alleged abuses by the CIA and FBI.
November 2, 1976: Elected Vice President
On November 2, 1976, Walter Mondale was elected Vice President of the United States alongside Jimmy Carter.
1976: Selected as Vice Presidential Running Mate
In 1976, Jimmy Carter chose Walter Mondale as his vice-presidential running mate.
1976: End of Senate Career
Walter Mondale resigned from the Senate in 1976 to prepare for the vice presidency.
1976: Resignation from the Senate
Walter Mondale resigned from the Senate in 1976.
January 20, 1977: Inaugurated as Vice President
On January 20, 1977, Mondale was inaugurated as Vice President and became the first to reside at Number One Observatory Circle.
November 4, 1977: Cast Tie-Breaking Vote in Senate
On November 4, 1977, Mondale cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate, enabling the passage of the Social Security financing bill.
1977: Resignation from Senate
Mondale resigned from the Senate in 1977 to become vice president.
1977: Mondale becomes Vice President
Walter Mondale became the 42nd Vice President of the United States in 1977 under President Jimmy Carter.
1979: Documentary about Trip to Norway and Activist Vice Presidency
In 1979, a documentary was produced about Mondale's trip to Norway. During his vice presidency, he established the role of an "activist Vice President," shaping the position for future holders of the office.
1980: Return to Law Practice
After losing the 1980 election, Walter Mondale returned to practicing law at Winston and Strawn in Chicago.
1980: Renomination and Defeat, Opened Winter Olympics
In 1980, Carter and Mondale were renominated but lost the election. Mondale opened the XIII Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.
1980: Carter-Mondale lose re-election
The Carter-Mondale ticket lost their re-election bid in 1980 to Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
1981: Induction into Omicron Delta Kappa
Mondale was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa at the University of South Carolina in 1981.
1981: End of Vice Presidency
Walter Mondale's term as Vice President ended in 1981.
October 21, 1984: Second Presidential Debate
On October 21, 1984, during the second presidential debate, Ronald Reagan addressed concerns about his age with a memorable quip about Mondale's "youth and inexperience."
1984: Democratic Presidential Nomination
In 1984, Walter Mondale secured the Democratic Party's presidential nomination, competing against Jesse Jackson and Gary Hart.
1984: Mondale runs for President
In 1984, Walter Mondale was the Democratic Party's nominee for President but lost to Ronald Reagan.
1984: Mondale's Presidential Run
Walter Mondale secured the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984, choosing Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate, but lost the election to Reagan and Bush.
1986: Joins Law Firm and NDI
After his presidential defeat, Mondale joined the law firm Dorsey & Whitney and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs in 1986.
1986: Chairman of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs
From 1986 to 1993, Mondale chaired the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs.
1987: Return to Private Law Practice
Mondale rejoined private law practice at Dorsey & Whitney in Minneapolis in 1987.
1990: Establishment of the Mondale Policy Forum
In 1990, Mondale established the Mondale Policy Forum at the Humphrey Institute.
1993: U.S. Ambassador to Japan
Mondale served as the United States Ambassador to Japan from 1993 to 1996 under President Bill Clinton.
1996: End of Ambassadorship
In 1996, Mondale concluded his service as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan.
1998: Ted Mondale's Gubernatorial Run
In 1998, Walter Mondale's son, Ted Mondale, unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for Minnesota governor.
1998: Special Envoy to Indonesia
Mondale served as special envoy to Indonesia in 1998 under President Clinton.
1998: Start of Senate "Leaders Lecture Series"
The Senate's "Leaders Lecture Series" commenced in 1998 and ran until 2002.
2001: Mondale's Reflection on Apollo Hearings
In 2001, Mondale reflected on his actions during the Apollo hearings, stating his belief that his public confrontation forced NASA to improve safety.
September 4, 2002: U.S. Senate Lecture
On September 4, 2002, Mondale delivered a lecture to the U.S. Senate on his service and observations on the vice presidency, Senate rules, and the future of the Senate.
2002: Replacement for Paul Wellstone
Following the death of Senator Paul Wellstone, Mondale replaced him on the ballot for the 2002 Senate election.
2002: Senate Run
In 2002, Mondale ran for Senate in Minnesota following the death of Paul Wellstone, but lost to Norm Coleman.
2002: Renaming of University of Minnesota Law School Building
The University of Minnesota Law School building was renamed Walter F. Mondale Hall in 2002.
2004: Discussion with Al Franken
Following the 2004 presidential election, Mondale discussed with Al Franken the possibility of Franken running for the U.S. Senate.
2004: Co-chairman of the Constitution Project's Right to Counsel Committee
In 2004, Mondale became co-chairman of the Constitution Project's bipartisan Right to Counsel Committee.
May 23, 2006: Carter-Mondale Became Longest-Living Post-Presidential Team
On May 23, 2006, Carter and Mondale became the longest-living post-presidential team, exceeding the record held by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.
2006: Discussion with Al Franken (Post-Midterms)
After the 2006 midterm elections, Mondale again spoke with Al Franken about a potential Senate run.
December 5, 2007: Appointment as Honorary Consul-General of Norway
On December 5, 2007, Mondale was named Honorary Consul-General of Norway in Minnesota.
June 3, 2008: Endorsement of Barack Obama
On June 3, 2008, Mondale endorsed Barack Obama for president.
2008: Al Franken's Senate Run
Al Franken ran for and won the 2008 Senate election in Minnesota.
June 30, 2009: Conclusion of Coleman's Election Contest
On June 30, 2009, Norm Coleman's contest of the 2008 Senate election results concluded.
July 7, 2009: Al Franken Sworn In
Al Franken was sworn into the U.S. Senate on July 7, 2009.
September 17, 2011: Death of Eleanor Mondale
Eleanor Mondale, Walter Mondale's daughter, died of brain cancer on September 17, 2011.
September 8, 2012: Carter Achieves Longest Presidential Retirement
On September 8, 2012, Jimmy Carter achieved the record for the longest presidential retirement, surpassing Herbert Hoover.
February 3, 2014: Death of Joan Mondale
Joan Mondale, Walter Mondale's wife, passed away on February 3, 2014.
April 23, 2014: Mondale Achieves Longest Vice-Presidential Retirement
On April 23, 2014, Walter Mondale achieved the longest vice-presidential retirement, surpassing Richard Nixon.
2014: Death of Pete Mondale
Walter Mondale's brother, Clarence "Pete" Mondale, passed away in 2014.
2015: Public Leadership in Neurology Award
In 2015, Mondale received the Public Leadership in Neurology Award for his work in raising awareness for brain health.
2017: Subject of NSA Surveillance
Declassified documents in 2017 revealed that Mondale was subject to NSA surveillance.
January 3, 2018: Tina Smith Sworn In
Tina Smith was sworn into the U.S. Senate on January 3, 2018.
February 2019: Endorsement of Amy Klobuchar
Mondale endorsed Amy Klobuchar for president in February 2019.
June 2019: Carter Visits Mondale
In June 2019, former President Jimmy Carter visited Walter Mondale at the Carter Center. This was their last in-person meeting.
April 19, 2021: Death of Walter Mondale
Walter Mondale passed away on April 19, 2021.
April 20, 2021: Biden Orders Flags at Half-Staff
On April 20, 2021, President Joe Biden ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at all government buildings to honor Walter Mondale, whom he called a "dear friend and mentor".
September 2021: Funeral Services Postponed
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mondale's funeral services, planned for September 2021 in Minnesota and Washington D.C., were postponed.
May 1, 2022: Memorial Service Held
Walter Mondale's memorial service took place on May 1, 2022, at Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnesota. President Biden and other dignitaries attended.
