The Passing of Sen. Ted Kennedy

A look back at the life and career of Senator Ted Kennedy.

1932 - 2009 - U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, a towering figure in the Democratic Party who took the helm of one of America's most fabled political families after two older brothers were assassinated, died at age 77, his family said. Kennedy had brain cancer, which was diagnosed in May 2008.

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1932 - 2009 - U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, a towering figure in the Democratic Party who took the helm of one of America's most fabled political families after two older brothers were assassinated, died at age 77, his family said. Kennedy had brain cancer, which was diagnosed in May 2008.

Political Dynasty - Kennedy's death marked the twilight of a political dynasty that included brothers President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy – and dealt a blow to Democrats as they seek to answer President Barack Obama's call for an overhaul of the health care system.

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Political Dynasty - Kennedy's death marked the twilight of a political dynasty that included brothers President John F. Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy – and dealt a blow to Democrats as they seek to answer President Barack Obama's call for an overhaul of the health care system.

Third-Longest-Serving Senator - At the time of his death, he was the second most senior member of the Senate, after Robert Byrd of West Virginia, and the third-longest-serving senator in U.S. history. He was best known as one of the most outspoken and effective Senate proponents of progressive causes and bills.

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Third-Longest-Serving Senator - At the time of his death, he was the second most senior member of the Senate, after Robert Byrd of West Virginia, and the third-longest-serving senator in U.S. history. He was best known as one of the most outspoken and effective Senate proponents of progressive causes and bills.

Health Care Reform Advocate - Kennedy was a longtime advocate of health care reform, a signature issue of Obama's presidency. Obama said on Wednesday he was heartbroken to hear of the death of Kennedy, a crucial supporter of his presidential candidacy.

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Health Care Reform Advocate - Kennedy was a longtime advocate of health care reform, a signature issue of Obama's presidency. Obama said on Wednesday he was heartbroken to hear of the death of Kennedy, a crucial supporter of his presidential candidacy.

Heartbroken Obama - "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," said President Obama.

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Heartbroken Obama - "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," said President Obama.

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Electrifying Speech - Kennedy's endorsement last year was seen as pivotal in Obama's winning of the Democratic presidential nomination. Many saw the endorsement of the first-term senator as the passing of the political torch to a new generation. A year to the day before his death, Kennedy made an electrifying speech to the Democratic convention that nominated Obama for president.

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Electrifying Speech - Kennedy's endorsement last year was seen as pivotal in Obama's winning of the Democratic presidential nomination. Many saw the endorsement of the first-term senator as the passing of the political torch to a new generation. A year to the day before his death, Kennedy made an electrifying speech to the Democratic convention that nominated Obama for president.

Significant Contributions - During his lengthy political career, Kennedy made significant contributions to civil rights issues. In 1968, he fought for the renewals of the Voting Rights Act and the Fair Housing Law.

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Significant Contributions - During his lengthy political career, Kennedy made significant contributions to civil rights issues. In 1968, he fought for the renewals of the Voting Rights Act and the Fair Housing Law.

'Unfinished Business' - Fourteen years later, he helped to prevent the Reagan administration from weakening the Voting Rights Act. According to the New York Times, Ted Kennedy was known to refer to civil rights as "still the unfinished business of America."

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'Unfinished Business' - Fourteen years later, he helped to prevent the Reagan administration from weakening the Voting Rights Act. According to the New York Times, Ted Kennedy was known to refer to civil rights as "still the unfinished business of America."

Civil Rights Advocate - Kennedy then went on to help pass one law after another to support the rights of the elderly, the sick, the poor and the incarcerated. He introduced the Americans with Disabilities Act, The Civil Rights Act of 1991, The Civil Rights for Institutionalized Persons Act, among others. He also helped to amend the Fair Housing Act, and has fought relentlessly for those who've never known the comforts and privilege into which he was born.

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Civil Rights Advocate - Kennedy then went on to help pass one law after another to support the rights of the elderly, the sick, the poor and the incarcerated. He introduced the Americans with Disabilities Act, The Civil Rights Act of 1991, The Civil Rights for Institutionalized Persons Act, among others. He also helped to amend the Fair Housing Act, and has fought relentlessly for those who've never known the comforts and privilege into which he was born.

Lewis Reacts - Civil rights icon, Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), remembered his friend Sen. Edward Kennedy, Wednesday, as "a champion for equal justice for every American, but especially for those who have been left out and left behind."

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Lewis Reacts - Civil rights icon, Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), remembered his friend Sen. Edward Kennedy, Wednesday, as "a champion for equal justice for every American, but especially for those who have been left out and left behind."

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Kennedy's Request - Kennedy had recently urged Massachusetts lawmakers to change state law so the Democratic governor, if necessary, could quickly fill a Senate vacancy as the chamber debates the contentious health care issue.

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Kennedy's Request - Kennedy had recently urged Massachusetts lawmakers to change state law so the Democratic governor, if necessary, could quickly fill a Senate vacancy as the chamber debates the contentious health care issue.

His Early Years - Kennedy was born in Boston and raised in Massachusetts, New York, Florida, and England. He was expelled from Harvard College for cheating on a freshman year exam but was readmitted two years later following his service in the U.S. Army. He graduated from Harvard in 1956 and from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1959. His 1958 marriage to Virginia Joan Bennett produced three children and ended in divorce in 1982.

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His Early Years - Kennedy was born in Boston and raised in Massachusetts, New York, Florida, and England. He was expelled from Harvard College for cheating on a freshman year exam but was readmitted two years later following his service in the U.S. Army. He graduated from Harvard in 1956 and from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1959. His 1958 marriage to Virginia Joan Bennett produced three children and ended in divorce in 1982.

Entry Into the Senate - Kennedy entered the Senate in a 1962 special election to fill the seat once held by John. He was seriously injured in an airplane crash in 1964 and suffered from lifelong back pain as a result. Kennedy was elected to a full six-year term in 1964 and was reelected in 1970, 1976, 1982, 1988, 1994, 2000 and 2006.

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Entry Into the Senate - Kennedy entered the Senate in a 1962 special election to fill the seat once held by John. He was seriously injured in an airplane crash in 1964 and suffered from lifelong back pain as a result. Kennedy was elected to a full six-year term in 1964 and was reelected in 1970, 1976, 1982, 1988, 1994, 2000 and 2006.

Run for President - Kennedy's lone run for the office, in the 1980 presidential election, ended in a primary campaign loss to incumbent Democratic President Jimmy Carter. Kennedy is seen here with his sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who passed two weeks ago.

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Run for President - Kennedy's lone run for the office, in the 1980 presidential election, ended in a primary campaign loss to incumbent Democratic President Jimmy Carter. Kennedy is seen here with his sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who passed two weeks ago.

'Lion of the Senate' - Kennedy was the chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. Due to his long history and influence in the legislature, he became known as "The Lion of the Senate."

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'Lion of the Senate' - Kennedy was the chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. Due to his long history and influence in the legislature, he became known as "The Lion of the Senate."

Under His Leadership - More than 300 bills that Kennedy wrote have been enacted into law, and he was known for his ability to work with Republicans and to find compromises among Senate members with disparate views.

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Under His Leadership - More than 300 bills that Kennedy wrote have been enacted into law, and he was known for his ability to work with Republicans and to find compromises among Senate members with disparate views.