1751: Born in Virginia

1771: Graduates from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University )

1776: Serves as member of Virginia Constitutional Convention

1780-83: Serves as member of Continental Congress

1787: Serves as member of Constitutional Convention

1789-97: Serves in U.S. House of Representatives

1801-9: Serves as secretary of state under Thomas Jefferson

1809-17: Serves as fourth U.S. president

1812: War of 1812 begins

1814: Washington, D.C., captured and burned by British; Francis Scott Key writes "The Star-Spangled Banner"

1836: Dies in Virginia