“I thought of being a priest. I was very religious while at school in Switzerland. I was an altar boy and prayed all the time. I was very centered around the Mass and the church.”
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John Forbes Kerry is an American attorney, politician, diplomat, and former naval officer who served as the 68th United States secretary of state from 2013 to 2017 in the administration of President Barack Obama. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously represented Massachusetts in the United States Senate from 1985 to 2013 and later served as the first U.S. special presidential envoy for c…
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politics · American politician and diplomat (born 1943) · politician · naval officer · lawyer · diplomat · aircraft pilot · peace activist · climate activist · lieutenant governor · foreign minister · also John Kerry, John F. Kerry, Kerry
Born 11 December 1943 · Q22316
136 published statements · 0 followers
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He could turn over every single bit of his chemical weapons to the international community in the next week. Turn it over, all of it, without delay, and allow a full and total accounting for that. But he isn
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“I thought of being a priest. I was very religious while at school in Switzerland. I was an altar boy and prayed all the time. I was very centered around the Mass and the church.”
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“He could turn over every single bit of his chemical weapons to the international community in the next week. Turn it over, all of it, without delay, and allow a full and total accounting for that. But he isn”
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“You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don”
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“I am willing ... to take the risk in the effort to put to test the good faith of the Sandinistas.”
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“I apologize to no one for my criticism of the president and of his broken policy”
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800 Pound Gorilla Media: Actress and Comedian Kerry Godliman Releases Latest Hour of Stand-Up, "Bandwidth," in the U.S. with 800 Pound Gorilla
PR Newswire: Kerry Vitolano joins AXA XL as Head of East USRM and Head of USRM
Nautilus | Science: The “Kerry Cow” Wasn’t a Cow at All—And It Upends Stone Age Irish History
Archaeology News Online Magazine: Kerry Cow bones identified as bear and wild boar, rewriting Ireland and Britain’s early farming history
instyle.com: Kerry Washington and Natalie Portman’s Podiatrist-Approved Sneakers Are Like “Walking on Little Clouds,” Per Fans
University College Dublin: ‘Kerry Cow’ bones revealed as ancient bear remains, challenging long-held theory on farming’s arrival in Ireland and Great Britain
ColoradoBiz: Kerry Siggins leads StoneAge tools with focus on leadership and growth in colorado
Public attention spiked: 17,841 Wikipedia readers in one day, 8.4× the usual 2,132, with 2 article edits. Editors noted: Anti-war activism (1970–1971) Removed lint
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The Guardian: Countries must seek energy independence through renewables and nuclear, says John Kerry
The Guardian: John Kerry urges Australia to take ‘hard-nosed’ approach with world’s biggest fossil fuel-producing countries at Cop31
Won: UK (April 2025).
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The Guardian: Kerry gives scathing rating on climate action: ‘Is there a letter underneath Z?’
Snopes rated the claim “John Kerry's daughter Vanessa Kerry said billions of humans must die for the "New World Order."” Incorrect Attribution.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Won Presidential Medal of Freedom presented by Joe Biden (2024).
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Snopes.com rated the claim “John Kerry's daughter Vanessa said billions of humans must die for the "New World Order."” Incorrect Attribution.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
The Guardian: John Kerry doesn’t get it: the US can’t be a force for good on the climate until it stops fossil fuel expansion | Letter
The Guardian: John Kerry: US committed to tackling climate crisis despite fossil fuel growth
The Guardian: Demagogues imperilling global fight against climate breakdown, says Kerry
The Guardian: John Podesta to succeed John Kerry as Biden’s top climate adviser
The Guardian: Goodbye Mr Kerry, farewell Mr Xie: end of an era in global climate politics
The Guardian: John Kerry to leave White House to assist Biden re-election campaign
The Guardian: Like father, like daughter: why Vanessa Kerry is demanding action on climate and health
USA Today rated the claim “John Kerry says billions of people must be sacrificed to save the planet” False.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Lead Stories rated the claim “John Kerry: ‘We Must Sacrifice Billions Of Humans To Save Planet Earth’” Spox Denied.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Claimed: ““The scientists told us three years ago that we had 12 years to avert the worst consequences of the climate crisis. We are now three years gone, so we have nine years left.”” — rated Two Pinocchios by The Washington Post.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Kerry endorsed Joe Biden's campaign for the 2020 Democratic nomination for president, saying "He'll be ready on day one to put back together the country and the world that Donald Trump has broken apart" and asserting tha
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FactCheck.org rated the claim “"Gavin Newsom is Nancy Pelosi’s nephew ... Adam Schiff’s sister is married to George Soros son" and John Kerry’s “daughter is married to a ‘mullah’s son in Iran.”” False.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
FactCheck.org rated the claim “"Pelosi, Kerry, & Romney all have children working for Ukrainian gas companies."” No Evidence.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Won Otto Hahn Peace Medal in Berlin (2018).
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PolitiFact rated the claim “Former Secretary of State John Kerry met secretly in Paris with Iranians days after the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal” Unproven claim.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
FactCheck.org rated the claim “"Major Announcement Out Of The White House — John Kerry Facing Felony Charges."” False.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Soon after United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 passed 14–0 with the U
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Snopes.com rated the claim “Secretary of State John Kerry "funneled" taxpayer money into his daughter's global charity.” Unproven.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Kerry became the first Secretary of State and highest-ranking U
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Won: France (December 2016).
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Awarded Grand Cross 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in Berlin (2016).
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Awarded Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour presented by Jean-Marc Ayrault (2016).
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Won: Germany (December 2016).
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The New York Times rated the claim “Mr. Cruz says Donald J. Trump has contributed to John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer and Harry Reid.” He spreads money around..
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
“a low-cost and rapidly scalable wireless broadband network in India”
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Snopes.com rated the claim “U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry hide a close familial connection to an Iranian official with whom he negotiated a nuclear deal.” False.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Kerry signed the Paris Agreement on climate change on behalf of the United States
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“We touched on just about every major issue that we are both working on, that are issues of concern to all of us. First of all, we talked at great length about Syria, and I was particularly appreciative for the Archbishop”
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Met with the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif during the P5+1 and Iran summit, which eventually led to the JCPOA nuclear agreement
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At the State Department without American mediators following a dinner the previous evening hosted by Kerry
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And the same day the full Senate confirmed him on a vote of 94–3
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Before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the same panel where he first testified in 1971
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Career landmark: United States senator (2013–2013).
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“The relationship that we seek and that we have worked hard to foster is not about a United States declaration about how and when it will intervene in the affairs of other American states. It”
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Kerry met with Pakistan's army chief Gen
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Career landmark: United States Secretary of State (2013–2017).
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Several news outlets reported that President Barack Obama would nominate Kerry to succeed Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, after Susan Rice, widely seen as Obama's preferred choice, withdrew her name from considera
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Awarded Global Citizen Awards (2011).
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Career landmark: United States senator (2011–2013).
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Kerry supported American military action in Libya
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“the heart and soul of our country.”
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Career landmark: United States senator (2009–2011).
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Kerry voted for Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, also known as the TARP bailout
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Kerry endorsed Illinois Senator Barack Obama for president in the 2008 Democratic presidential primaries (in which Kerry's 2004 running mate, Edwards, was also a candidate)
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“I will be voting to give the President of the United States the authority to use force, if necessary, to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security.”
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Career landmark: United States senator (2007–2009).
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Kerry was a headline speaker at a campaign rally being held for Democratic California gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, California
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“Unidentified 31 October 2006 statement”
Career landmark: United States senator (2005–2007).
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Kerry released his military and medical records to the representatives of three news organizations, but has not authorized full public access to those records
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Announced his selection of John Edwards as his running mate
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"I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it", helped the Bush campaign to paint him as a flip-flopper and has been cited as contributing to Kerry's defeat
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Campaign: 2004 presidential election.
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Kerry frequently criticized President George W
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In 2003, Kerry was diagnosed with and successfully treated for prostate cancer.
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That he did not know whether to court-martial Kerry for beaching the boat without orders or give him a medal for saving the crew
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Career landmark: United States senator (2003–2005).
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Kerry was rated the top Senate liberal by National Journal
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Career landmark: United States senator (2001–2003).
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Career landmark: United States senator (1999–2001).
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Career landmark: United States senator (1997–1999).
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Kerry faced a difficult re-election fight against Governor William Weld, a popular Republican incumbent who had been re-elected in 1994 with 71% of the vote
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President Bill Clinton normalized diplomatic relations with the country of Vietnam
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Career landmark: United States senator (1995–1997).
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The Senate passed a resolution, sponsored by Kerry and fellow Vietnam veteran John McCain, that called for an end to the existing trade embargo against Vietnam; it was intended to pave the way for normalization
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Career landmark: United States senator (1993–1995).
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However, North's convictions were overturned on appeal
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Career landmark: United States senator (1991–1993).
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1996 (after winning re-election against the then-Governor of Massachusetts Republican William Weld), 2002, and 2008
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North was convicted of charges relating to the Iran/Contra controversy, including three felonies
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Career landmark: United States senator (1989–1991).
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At a businessmen's breakfast in East Lynn, Massachusetts, Kerry made a joke about then-President-elect George H
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To lose the popular vote in a presidential election, and he was also the last Democrat until Kamala Harris in 2024 to do so
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Career landmark: United States senator (1987–1989).
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“When I signed up for the swift boats, they had very little to do with the war. They were engaged in coastal patrolling and that”
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A few months after taking his Senate seat, Kerry and Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa traveled to Nicaragua and met the country's president, Daniel Ortega
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Career landmark: United States senator (1985–1987).
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Career landmark: United States senator (1985–1985).
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That he would be stepping down for health reasons
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Kerry was elected to the United States Senate representing Massachusetts
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Campaign: 1984 U.S. Senate election.
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“Traducción: "Hoy, los Estados Unidos no tienen un sitio en la mesa cuando se trata del medio ambiente global.”
Career landmark: Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts (1983–1985).
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“Traducción: "El 3 de noviembre, reconocí la elección presidencial de George Bush y también expresé mi compromiso de asegurar que sea contado cada voto en esta elección.”
“We must recognize that there is no indication that Saddam Hussein has any intention of relenting. So we have an obligation of enormous consequence, an obligation to guarantee that Saddam Hussein cannot ignore the United Nations. He cannot be permitted to go unobserved and unimpeded toward his horrific objective of amassing a stockpile of weapons of mass destruction.”
“Traducción: "Sabéis, la educación: si la aprovecháis al máximo, estudiáis duro, hacéis vuestros deberes y hacéis un esfuerzo para ser listos, os puede ir bien. Si no lo hacéis, acabaréis atrapados en Irak.”
“Traducción: "Ayer estuve en el estado natal de Bush, Texas. El ya no vive allí. Ahora vive en el estado de negación.”
“We're here to talk about education. But I want to say something before that....You know, education, if you make the most of it and you study hard and you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq.”
“So my judgment is that Syria will move; Syria will change, as it embraces a legitimate relationship with the United States and the West and economic opportunity that comes with it and the participation that comes with it.”
Kerry was elected lieutenant governor of Massachusetts as the running mate of Michael Dukakis's ticket
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However, Kerry prevailed in a close primary
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With assistant DA Roanne Sragow to set up their own law firm
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Kerry launched a criminal investigation against Senator Edward Brooke, regarding "misstatements" in his first divorce trial
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Career landmark: assistant district attorney (1977–1982).
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Went to work in that office as a full-time prosecutor and moved to Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
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Studied at Boston College Law School (1976).
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Kerry was an unsuccessful candidate for the U
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Campaign: 1972 congressional election.
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During a VVAW march to honor American POWs held captive by North Vietnam
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Kerry appeared before a U
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Kerry had considered running for Congress in the Democratic primary against hawkish Democrat Philip J
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Kerry was temporarily promoted to full lieutenant
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Reported to the Brooklyn-based Atlantic Military Sea Transportation Service, where he would remain on active duty for the following year as a personal aide to an officer, Rear Admiral Walter Schlech
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On the Bái Háp River, Kerry was in charge of one of five Swift Boats that were returning to their base after performing an Operation Sealords mission to transport South Vietnamese troops from the garrison at Cái Nước and
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And a historical summary dated March 17, 1969
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Came the events for which Kerry was awarded his Silver Star Medal
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Kerry enlisted in the Naval Reserve
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Studied at Yale University (1966).
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After graduating from Yale University, he enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve, ultimately attaining the rank of lieutenant
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Studied at St. Paul's School (1962).
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Kerry attended Yale University, majoring in political science and residing in Jonathan Edwards College
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Which they sold some of at dances at the school; it was made available on streaming platforms many years later
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“Traducción: "Sabéis, ayer retrasamos el reloj una hora. en realidad sólo los Demócratas lo hicimos. Los Republicanos siguen intentando retrasar el reloj a 1958.”
Born 1943-12-11.
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At Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado
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“s allegations are false. Anti-war activism (1970–1971) After returning to the United States, Kerry moved to Waltham, Massachusetts and joined the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW). Then numbering about 20,000, VVAW was considered by some (including the administration of President Richard Nixon) to be an effective, if controversial, component of the antiwar movement. Kerry participated in the”
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Connections