| 1914 | Born May 13 in LaFayette, Alabama |
| 1926 | Moves to Detroit, Michigan |
| 1932 | Fights first amateur boxing bout |
| 1934 | Moves in with John Roxborough, asks Roxborough to become his manager |
| 1934 | First professional boxing match, July 4 |
| 1935 | Defeats Italian Primo Carnera, June 25, and becomes media sensation |
| 1935 | Marries Marva Trotter, September 24 |
| 1935 | Defeats Max Baer to become top heavyweight contender, September 24 |
| 1936 | Loses to German Max Schmeling, June 11 |
| 1937 | Becomes World Heavyweight Champion, defeating James Braddock on June 22 |
| 1938 | Defeats Max Schmeling in rematch, June 22, becoming national hero |
| 1942 | Enlists in U.S.
Army |
| 1945 | Enlistment ends in October |
| 1945 | Divorces Marva Trotter |
| 1946 | Remarries Marva |
| 1949 | Divorces Marva |
| 1949 | Retires as undefeated World Heavyweight Champion |
| 1950 | Loses comeback attempt against new heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles, September 27 |
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