April 13, 1743: Thomas Jefferson born. His birth date is sometimes gives as April 2, Old Style.
August 17, 1757: Thomas Jefferson's father, Peter Jefferson, dies.
April 25, 1762: Jefferson graduates from William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia.
February 1, 1770: Jefferson loses his first collection of books and notes in the fire that destroyed his childhood home at Shadwell.
January 1, 1772: Thomas Jefferson marries widower Martha Wayles Skelton.
March 26, 1772: Martha Jefferson made her first soap at Monticello.
September 17, 1772: Jefferson's first child, Martha, is born.
January 21, 1774: Martha Jefferson makes her first pots of butter at Monticello.
March 13, 1774: Martha Jefferson makes her first candles at Monticello.
March 31, 1776: Jefferson's mother, Jane Randolph Jefferson, dies.
August 1, 1778: Jefferson's daughter, Maria, born.
May 8, 1782: Jefferson's daughter, Lucy Elizabeth, is born.
September 6, 1782: Jefferson's wife, Martha, dies at age 33.
May 10, 1785: The first printing of Notes on the State of Virginia is completed.
October 12, 1786: Jefferson writes a letter to Maria Cosway which becomes known as his "My Head and My Heart" letter.
1887: Notes on the State of Virginia, is published in London under his name.
April 30, 1789: George Washington is inaugurated as the first President of the United States.
February 14, 1790: Jefferson accepts appointment as Secretary of State.
February 23, 1790: Jefferson's daughter, Martha, marries Thomas Mann Randolph.
November 4, 1796: Jefferson is elected Vice President of the United States.
October 13, 1797: Jefferson's daughter, Maria, marries John Wayles Eppes, at Monticello.
February 17, 1801: When Jefferson and Aaron Burr each receive seventy-three votes in the electoral college, the contest is sent to the House of Representatives. On February 17th, after thirty-six ballots, the tie is broken and Thomas Jefferson is elected President over Aaron Burr.
April 17, 1804: Jefferson's daughter, Maria, dies.
July 4, 1826: Thomas Jefferson dies in his alcove bed at Monticello.
Last revised November 1, 1998
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