Sarah Palin career timeline
Photos
Bristol Palin and the Palin family
Sarah Palin through the years
-- December 2006 -- Gov. Sarah Palin, a former mayor of WasillaCity, Alaska, becomes governor of her state after defeating anincumbent governor of her own party in the primary and then beatinga former governor in the general election.
-- August 2008 -- John McCain picks Palin as his vice presidentialrunning mate in a startling selection that makes the Alaskagovernor the first woman named to a spot on a Republican nationalticket.
>> PHOTOS: Sarah Palin in NY, through the years
-- September 2008 -- An announcement that Palin's then 17-year-olddaughter, Bristol, is pregnant creates a stir as the governorprepares to accept her nomination at the Republican NationalConvention.
-- October 2008 -- Palin is investigated for the firing of apublic safety commissioner who said he felt pressure from thegovernor, her husband and her staff to fire a state trooper who hadgone through a divorce from Palin's sister. The Alaska Legislaturefinds Palin abused her power in office, but a report released bythe Alaska Personnel Board on the eve of the election clears Palinof wrongdoing in Troopergate.
-- November 2008 -- McCain and Palin lose the 2008 presidentialrace.
-- June 2009 -- Palin blasts comedian David Letterman for making ajoke about her daughter getting "knocked up" by New York YankeeAlex Rodriguez. Letterman apologizes.
-- July 2009 -- Palin makes a surprise announcement, saying she isresigning from her post as governor at the end of the month.
>> PHOTOS: Sarah Palin in NY, through the years
