| 1816 | His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them
|
| 1818 | His mother died
|
| 1831 | Failed in business
|
| 1832 | Ran for state legislature - lost
|
| 1833 | Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year he was bankrupt. He spent 17 years to pay off his debt.
|
| 1834 | Ran for state legislature again - won
|
| 1835 | Was engaged to be married. Sweetheart died and his heart was broken
|
| 1836 | Had a total nervous breakdown and he was in bed for six months
|
| 1838 | Sought to become speaker of the State legislature - defeated
|
| 1840 | Sought to become elector - defeated
|
| 1843 | Ran for Congress - lost
|
| 1846 | Ran for Congress again - won and went to Washington. Did a good job
|
| 1848 | Ran for re-election to Congress - lost
|
| 1849 | Sought the job of land officer in his home state - rejected
|
| 1854 | Ran for Senate of the United States - lost
|
| 1856 | Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party's national convention - get less than 100 votes
|
| 1858 | Ran for U.S. Senate again - again he lost.
|
| 1860 | Elected president of the United States.
|
