File photo.

December 2006 - Gov. Sarah Palin, a former mayor of Wasilla City, Alaska, becomes governor of her state after defeating an incumbent governor of her own party in the primary and then beating a former governor in the general election.

August 2008 - John McCain picks Palin as his vice presidential running mate in a startling selection that makes the Alaska governor the first woman named to a spot on a Republican national ticket.

September 2008 - An announcement that Palin's then 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, is pregnant creates a stir as the governor prepares to accept her nomination at the Republican National Convention.

October 2008 - Palin is investigated for the firing of a public safety commissioner who said he felt pressure from the governor, her husband and her staff to fire a state trooper who had gone through a divorce from Palin's sister. The Alaska Legislature finds Palin abused her power in office, but a report released by the Alaska Personnel Board on the eve of the election clears Palin of wrongdoing in Troopergate.

November 2008 - McCain and Palin lose the 2008 presidential race.

June 2009 - Palin blasts comedian David Letterman for making a joke about her daughter getting "knocked up" by New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez. Letterman apologizes.

July 2009 - Palin makes a surprise announcement, saying she is resigning from her post as governor at the end of the month.
     
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