-Feb. 22, 1932: Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy is born in Boston,
the youngest of nine children of Joseph P. and Rose Kennedy.
- May 1951: Is caught cheating on an exam and leaves Harvard
College. Enlists in the Army and serves for the next 16 months.
Later re-enrolls at Harvard.
- June 1954: Graduates from Harvard and enrolls at the
University of Virginia Law School. Graduates from law school in
1959.
- Nov. 29, 1958: Marries Virginia Joan Bennett, known as Joan.
- Nov. 8, 1960: Kennedy's brother, John F. Kennedy, is elected
president.
- March 1962: Resigns as assistant district attorney in Suffolk County, Mass., and announces his candidacy for brother John's unexpired Senate term.
- Nov. 6, 1962: Is elected U.S. senator from Massachusetts.
- Nov. 22, 1963: President Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas.
- June 19, 1964: Kennedy's back is broken in a plane crash that
kills aide Edward Moss and the pilot, Edwin Zimny. Sen. Birch Bayh
of Indiana and his wife, both passengers, are also injured.
- Nov. 3, 1964: Brother Robert F. Kennedy is elected to the Senate from New York. Meanwhile, Ted Kennedy - still recovering from the June plane crash - wins a full Senate term in Massachusetts.
- March 1968: Robert F. Kennedy announces his candidacy for the
presidency.
- June 5, 1968: After winning the California primary, Robert F.
Kennedy is shot in Los Angeles and dies the next day.
- July 18, 1969: Ted Kennedy drives his car off a bridge at Chappaquiddick, Mass., and manages to escape. His passenger, Mary
Jo Kopechne, drowns. Kennedy later pleads guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, a misdemeanor, and receives a two-month
suspended sentence and a year's probation.
- July 25, 1969: Delivers a television address to explain his
actions at Chappaquiddick.
- Nov. 3, 1970: Is re-elected to the Senate but loses majority
whip position. Chairs the Senate Health Committee.
- November 1979: Announces his candidacy for the 1980
presidential nomination, challenging President Jimmy Carter.
- January-June 1980: Wins Democratic primaries in nine states
and the District of Columbia. The rest go to Carter.
- Aug. 12, 1980: In an emotional speech to the Democratic
National Convention, withdraws his bid for the presidency.
- December 1982: Announces he will not run for president in
1984. After 24 years of marriage, he divorces his wife, Joan.
- Dec. 19, 1985: Announces he will not run for the 1988
Democratic presidential nomination.
- March 1991: A woman accuses Kennedy's nephew, William Kennedy
Smith, of raping her at the family's compound in Palm Beach, Fla.
Smith is later acquitted. At the trial, Kennedy testifies about
taking his nephew and son Patrick to the nightclub where Smith met
his accuser.
- June 11, 1991: A conservative political group files an ethics
complaint against Kennedy, alleging that he violated Senate rules
by his actions relating to the alleged rape. The Senate Ethics
Committee dismisses the complaint.
- July 3, 1992: Marries Victoria Reggie, a Washington lawyer.
- Oct. 13, 1994: Senate Ethics Committee dismisses allegations
of sexual harassment and drug use.
- Jan. 4, 1995: Son Patrick Kennedy is sworn in as congressman
from Rhode Island.
- Aug. 21, 1996: A major health care bill sponsored by Kennedy
and Sen. Nancy Kassebaum, R-Kan., is signed into law.
- July 16, 1999: John F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, Carolyn
Bessette Kennedy, and her sister, Lauren Bessette, perish in a
plane crash in the waters off Martha's Vineyard.
- January 2002: No Child Left Behind legislation, which Kennedy
co-sponsored, is signed into law. The legislation is designed to
give states and school districts more freedom over how they spend
federal dollars, but requires them to raise student achievement.
- April 5, 2004: Says Iraq has become "George Bush's Vietnam"
and compares him to former President Richard Nixon.
- May 4, 2006: Son Patrick Kennedy, a Rhode Island congressman,
drives his vehicle into a Capitol Hill security barrier.
- June 13, 2006: A judge sentences Patrick Kennedy to drug
treatment and a year's probation after he pleads guilty to driving
under the influence of prescription drugs.
- May 2007: Congress approves an increase in the federal minimum
wage, a longtime priority for Kennedy.
- Oct. 12, 2007: Has surgery to clear a partially blocked artery
in his neck.
- Jan. 28, 2008: Announces he is endorsing Sen. Barack Obama for
the Democratic nomination for president.
- May 17, 2008: Suffers a seizure at his Cape Cod, Mass., home.
- May 20, 2008: Doctors diagnose a cancerous brain tumor.
- Aug. 25, 2008: Kennedy addresses Democratic National
Convention in Denver.
- Nov. 17, 2008: Returns to work. Continues to work part time
while he receives treatment in the following months.
- December 2008: Lobbies for the appointment of niece Caroline
to the Senate seat being vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Caroline Kennedy eventually withdraws from consideration.
- Jan. 20, 2009: Fulfills his promise to attend Barack Obama's
inauguration as president but collapses at a celebratory luncheon.
- March 8, 2009: Is honored at star-studded musical birthday
tribute at Washington's Kennedy Center.
- Aug. 25, 2009: Kennedy dies at his home on Cape Cod after a
yearlong struggle with brain cancer. He was 77.
STATEMENTS
FROM THE KENNEDY FAMILY
"Edward M. Kennedy - the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply - died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port. We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever. We thank everyone who gave him care and support over this last year, and everyone who stood with him for so many years in his tireless march for progress toward justice, fairness and opportunity for all. He loved this country and devoted his life to serving it. He always believed that our best days were still ahead, but it's hard to imagine any of them without him."
FROM PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
"Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy.
I valued his wise counsel in the Senate, where, regardless of the swirl of events, he always had time for a new colleague. I cherished his confidence and momentous support in my race for the Presidency. And even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness, I've profited as President from his encouragement and wisdom.
An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time.
And the Kennedy family has lost their patriarch, a tower of strength and support through good times and bad.
Our hearts and prayers go out to them today--to his wonderful wife, Vicki, his children Ted Jr., Patrick and Kara, his grandchildren and his extended family."
FROM GOVERNOR DEVAL PATRICK
"One of the Commonwealth's brightest lights went out last night. Ted Kennedy was a compassionate, effective, visionary statesman, family man and friend. Diane and I were blessed by his company, support and many kindnesses, and miss him profoundly. We pray for comfort for his beloved wife and partner Vicki and his entire family."
FROM SENATE PRESIDENT THERESE MURRARY
"I am deeply saddened by the news of Senator Ted Kennedy's passing. Senator Kennedy truly was the lion of the U.S. Senate. A stalwart of political and social progress, he dedicated his life to this country and the Commonwealth."
"My thoughts, prayers and well wishes are with Senator Kennedy's wife, Vickie, his children and the entire Kennedy family."
FROM FORMER FIRST LADY NANCY REAGAN
"I was terribly saddened to hear of the death of Ted Kennedy tonight. Given our political differences, people are sometimes surprised by how close Ronnie and I have been to the Kennedy family. But Ronnie and Ted could always find common ground, and they had great respect for one another. In recent years, Ted and I found our common ground in stem cell research, and I considered him an ally and a dear friend. I will miss him."
FROM SENATOR ORRIN HATCH
"Today America lost a great elder statesman, a committed public servant, and leader of the Senate. And today I lost a treasured friend. Ted Kennedy was an iconic, larger than life United States senator whose influence cannot be overstated. Many have come before, and many will come after, but Ted Kennedy's name will always be remembered as someone who lived and breathed the United States Senate and the work completed within its chamber."
FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATOR JUDD GREGG
"During this time Ted was always willing to not only reach across the aisle, but had the unique ability to pull people together to get things done, with both substance and a great sense of humor."
FROM CONNECTICUT SENATOR CHRIS DODD
"I'm not sure America has ever had a greater senator, but I know for certain that no one has had a greater friend than I and so many others did in Ted Kennedy."
"I will miss him every day I serve, and every day I live,"
FROM US SENATE MAJORITY
LEADER HARRY REID
"The Kennedy family and the Senate family have together lost our patriarch. My thoughts, and those of the entire United States Senate, are with Vicki, Senator Kennedy's children, his many nieces and nephews, and his entire family. "It was the thrill of my lifetime to work with Ted Kennedy. He was a friend, the model of public service and an American icon.
"As we mourn his loss, we rededicate ourselves to the causes for which he so dutifully dedicated his life. Senator Kennedy's legacy stands with the greatest, the most devoted, the most patriotic men and women to ever serve in these halls. "
"The liberal lion's mighty roar may now fall silent, but his dream shall never die."
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