1784: Born in Virginia

1806: Joins the Virginia militia at age 22

1810: Accepts a commission in the Seventh Infantry of the United States Army by his second cousin, Secretary of State James Madison

1812: Taylor's company of about fifty men holds back an attack by four hundred Native Americans led by famous warrior Tecumseh at Fort Harrison in Indiana

1832: At Fort Crawford (now Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin ) during the Black Hawk War, Taylor supervises the surrender of Chief Black Hawk

1837: On Christmas Day, Taylor's forces defeat Seminoles in a battle at Lake Okeechobee in Florida

1846-48: Taylor's small army unit repulses a Mexican force three times as large at the Battle of Palo Alto during the Mexican War (1846-48); victories in Mexico at Resaca de Palma, Monterrey, and Buena Vista bring national hero status to General Taylor

1849-50: Serves as twelfth U.S. president

1850: Dies in Washington, D...