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 cubic 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.

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