Origins & Early Life

Daniel Ken Inouye ( ee-NOH-ay; Japanese: 井上 建; September 7, 1924 – December 17, 2012) was an American attorney, soldier, and statesman who represented Hawaii in the United States Senate from 1963 until his death in 2012. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the most-senior member of the Senate when he died. He is the second-longest serving U.S. senator in history.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Prior to his tenure in the Senate, Inouye served in the Hawaii Territorial Legislature and the United States House of Representatives from 1959 to 1963. Inouye was born and raised in Honolulu, in what was then the Territory of Hawaii. After enrolling at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa as a premedical student, he applied at the 442nd Infantry Regiment during World War II, and during that time, he lost his right arm. After the war, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 1950, and a Juris Doctor degree from George Washington University Law School in 1952. He was then elected to Hawaii's territorial House of Representatives the following year and was elected to the territorial Senate in 1957.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

When Hawaii achieved statehood in 1959, Inouye was elected as its first member of the U.S....

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Albert O. Hirschman — Contemporary (Died in 2012) (2012): Pioneering American economist known for development and political economy theories.
• Alfred F. Young — Contemporary (Died in 2012) (2012): Pioneering American historian of the Revolution and working-class social history.
• A. J. P. Taylor — Shared historical date (09-07 · Died) (1990): Influential English historian specializing in 19th and 20th-century European diplomacy.
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• 13th Dalai Lama — Shared historical date (12-17 · Died) (1933): Spiritual leader of Tibet who championed national independence and modernization.
• Amado Carrillo Fuentes — Shared historical date (12-17 · Born) (1956): Notorious Mexican drug lord, known as "The Lord of the Skies" for his jet fleet.
• 1924 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1924
• September 7 (09-07) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on September 7
• 2012 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2012
• December 17 (12-17) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 17