Feb. 11, 1964 – Born in Sandpoint, Idaho.

1982 – Graduated from Wasilla High School in Wasilla, Alaska.

1987 – Graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Idaho.

August 29, 1988 – Married Todd Palin, whom she would have five children with.

1992-1996 – Entered public life, serving two terms on the Wasilla City Council.

1996-2002 – Elected mayor of Wasilla City, Alaska, for two terms until term limits forced her from office.

2002 – Lost her first statewide campaign for the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor.

2002 – Frank Murkowski left the Senate to become governor and named Palin chairwoman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

2003 – Split with the party leaders by battling Randy Ruedrich, the head of Alaska's Republican Party.

2006 – Upset then-Gov. Murkowski in the Republican primary, then defeated former two-term Gov. Tony Knowles, a Democrat, in the general election.

2007 – Pressured lawmakers to get the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act passed, to build a natural gas pipeline to deliver 35 trillion feet of North Slope natural gas to market.

Aug. 29, 2008 – Chosen as Sen. John McCain's vice-presidential running mate in the 2008 election.