July 14, 1913
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, to Leslie Lynch King and Dorothy Ayer Gardner King. Ford was first named Leslie Lynch King, Jr. But his parents separated two weeks after his birth, and Dorothy King moved to Grand Rapids, MI to live with her parents.  
 

Feb. 1, 1916
Dorothy King marries Gerald R. Ford, and the Fords begin to call Leslie Lynch King, Jr., Gerald R. Ford, Jr. His name was not legally changed until December 3, 1935. 
 

November, 1927
Ford named an Eagle Scout. 
 

1931-1935
Ford attends the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and majored in economics and political science. He played football and was named the Wolverine's MVP in 1934. In 1935 he played in the College all-star football game against the Chicago Bears, and later received offers from the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers. He turned them down to take a job at Yale as the boxing coach and the assistant varsity coach for football.  
 

1938-1941
Ford attends law school at Yale, and graduates in the top 25% of his class. 
 

April 1942
Ford joins the U.S. Naval Reserve. In the spring of 1943 he began service on the light aircraft carrier USS Monterey, which took part in most of the major operations in the South Pacific. Ford was discharged as a lieutenant commander in Feb. 1946. 
 

November 2, 1948
Ford wins a seat in the House of Representatives. He married Elizabeth Ann Bloomer Warren during the middle of the campaign. They had 4 children: Michael Gerald (3/14/50); John Gardner (3/16/52); Steven Meigs (5/19/56); and Susan Elizabeth (7/6/57). Ford was re-elected 12 times. During his years in the House, he served as Republican Conference Chair in 1961, and Minority Leader in 1965 for 8 years. 
 

December 6, 1973
Ford was confirmed and sworn-in as Nixon's vice president, shortly after Spiro Agnew resigned.  
 

August 9, 1974
Ford took the oath of office as President after Nixon resigns. On December 19, 1974, Nelson Rockefeller was confirmed by Congress as vice president.  
 

September 1974
Ford pardons Nixon. 
 

September 1975
Ford survives two assassination attempts in California, in each case by a woman. 
 

May 14, 1975
Ford ordered forces to retake the SS MAYAGUEZ, an American merchant ship seized by Cambodian gunboats. They are successful, but 41 Americans lost their lives. 
 

1976
Ford chooses Bob Dole as his vice-presidential running mate but loses in a close election against Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale. 
 

January 20, 1977
The Fords move to Rancho Mirage, California. 
 

1979
President Ford's autobiography "A Time to Heal: The Autobiography of Gerald R. Ford," was published.  
 

April 1981
Ford library opened; the museum opens in September.