1940: Arrived in Alaska.
1966: Elected governor as a Republican, defeating Democratic incumbent Bill Egan.
1968: Was governor overseeing development of Prudhoe Bay oilfield; appointed Ted Stevens to U.S. Senate.
1969: Became U.S. Interior Secretary, appointed by President Nixon.
November 1970: Fired by Nixon after writing a letter criticizing the administration's policy on Vietnam.
1990: Late in the campaign, emerged to run for governor on Alaskan Independence Party ticket and was elected again, defeating Republican Arliss Sturgulewski and Democrat Tony Knowles.
1994: Doesn't seek re-election, rejoins Republican Party.
1995: Establishes the Institute of the North, an Anchorage-based organization that explores Alaska public policy.
2006: Endorses Sarah Palin in her run for governor but later breaks with her over gas pipeline issues.
May 7, 2010: Dies at the age of 90
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