August 29, 1958: born in Gary, Indiana
August 1962: singing debut with his brothers, The Jackson Five
March 1969: first Jackson Five contract with Tamla Motown, Detroit's black-owned record label Michael's voice propels the group onto the hit parade with "ABC" and "I'll Be There"
1970: launch of solo career alongside that of the Jackson Five
August 1980: release of "Off The Wall" album, produced by Quincy Jones, which sold 11 million copies
December 1982: release of "Thriller" album, whose seven hits included "Billie Jean" and "Beat It," pushing sales to 50 million copies worldwide
1984: Jackson's face gets burnt during filming for a Pepsi ad
1985: Buys ATV Music -- a company with rights to John Lennon and Paul McCartney songs -- for 47.5 million dollars
1985: Jackson writes "We Are The World," which benefited the fight against hunger in Africa
1987: release of "Bad," which sold 26 millions copies and marked the end of his collaboration with Quincy Jones
1988: His autobiography "Moonwalk" comes out
1990: Michael Jackson is seen for the first time wearing a surgical mask in public
1992: release of "Dangerous," which sold 22 million copies
August 1993: a father accuses Jackson of molesting his 13-year-old son, but settles out of court
May 1994-February 1996: marriage to Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis
June 1995: release of "HIStory" album
November 1996-October 1999: marriage to Debbie Rowe, a 37-year-old nurse with whom he has two children, Prince Michael and Paris Michael Katherine
October 2001: release of "Invincible"
July 2002: Jackson accuses record labels of exploiting artists, especially African-Americans
November 19, 2002: scandal after Jackson dangles his third son, nine-month-old Prince Michael II, from a Berlin hotel balcony
January 31, 2003: Sotheby's auction house sues for non-payment of 1.7 million dollars for two paintings
February 3: in documentary "Living with Michael Jackson" broadcast on ITV, Jackson claims never to have abused a child, merely to have shared his bed
February: singer's manager brings a 13-million-dollar lawsuit for back salary, which was settled out of court in June
November 18: police raid Jackson's Neverland ranch in California as "Number Ones" album is released
November 19: warrant issued for Jackson's arrest on several counts of child molestation
November 20: Jackson is arrested and handcuffed after surrendering to police, held briefly then released on bail
December 18: he is formally charged with child molestation
January 16, 2004: Jackson pleads not guilty during his first appearance amid a media circus
January 31, 2005: Michael Jackson trial begins with jury selection
February 28, 2005: Opening arguments begin in trial
June 4, 2005: Jurors begin considering their verdict.