1795: Born in North Carolina

1818: Graduates from the University of North Carolina

1823-25: Serves in the Tennessee House of Representatives

1825-39: Serves in the U.S. House of Representatives

1835-39: Serves as Speaker of the House

1839: Elected governor of Tennessee

1841: Fails to win reelection as governor and loses 1843 gubernatorial election as well

1844: Emerges during the Democratic national convention as the first "darkhorse" candidate for president; wins the election, primarily for his support of the annexation of Texas and expansionist sentiments

1845-49: Serves as eleventh U.S. president

1846-48: Mexican war

1849: Dies in Tennessee