1829: Born in Vermont

1844: Holds first political job, as a crier—a boy who stands on street corners and shouts out the name and qualifications of a candidate running for office

1848: Graduates from Union College

1854: Certified as a lawyer

1860-63: Named chief of the state military of New York, an honorary position that becomes important with the beginning of the Civil War

1868: Named collector of the New York Customs House

1877: Fired from Customs House position by President Rutherford B. Hayes

1880: Nominated as surprise vice presidential candidate to James Garfield

1881: Assumes presidency following the assassination of Garfield

1881-85: Serves as twenty-first U.S. president

1886: Dies in New York