1829: Bill Nelson's maternal grandfather immigrated to America from Denmark, settling near Chipley, Florida.

1915: Nelson's paternal grandfather, Charles Hart Nelson, moved to Florida from Chicago and homesteaded on a patch of sandy soil that is now on the Kennedy Space Center. Charles Nelson's youngest son, C.W. Nelson, was a high school principal in Melbourne before entering the first law class at the University of Miami, 1926- 1929.

1942: Bill Nelson was born at Victoria Hospital in Miami Florida.

1959-61: Showing early signs of leadership, Nelson served his community both as president of Key Club International and the 4-H Club of Florida.

1960: Bill Nelson began college at the University of Florida.

1965: Nelson graduated from Yale and entered the University of Virginia Law School.

1965: Nelson received a commission in the U.S. Army from the ROTC and served on active duty for two years, where he rose to the rank of Captain.

1970: Nelson begins practicing law in Central Florida.

1972: Bill married Grace Cavert of Jacksonville, and won his first election to the Florida Legislature.

1978: Bill Nelson was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served until 1990.

1986: Nelson trained and flew with the crew of Columbia, on the 24th flight of the Space Shuttle.

1994-2000: Nelson was elected to the Florida Cabinet as Treasurer, Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal.

2000: Nelson elected to the U.S. Senate.

2006: Nelson re-elected to second term in the U.S. Senate