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Birth
Michael Jackson is born in Gary, Indiana -
Talent Contest
Jackson 5 play the Apollo Theater in Harlem and win talent contest
First record deal with Steeltown Records -
Second Record Deal
Jackson 5 sign a record deal with Motown Records -
A New Place
Michael and family move to California -
Hit Singles
Jackson 5 have three hit singles in one year -
A Better Deal
Jackson 5 leave Motown Records and sign a deal with CBS -
First Time Acting
Star in The Wiz with Diana Ross -
Solo Album
Solo album Off the Wall produced by Quincy Jones -
Moonwalk
Performs the Moonwalk on Motown 25 television special
Thriller is released and becomes best-selling album of all time -
Grammy Winner
Wins eight Grammy Awards
Burned during filming of Pepsi commercial
Buys the Beatles' songs -
"We are the World"
Writes and records "We are the World" -
Ranch Owner
Buys Neverland Ranch -
Wedding
Marries Lisa Marie Presley -
Divorce and Second Wedding
Divorces Lisa Marie Presley and marries Debbie Rowe -
First Born
First born son, named Prince Michael Jackson -
Only Daughter
Daughter born, named Paris Katherine Michael Jackson -
Second Son
Second son born, named Prince Michael II -
Court Trial
Goes on trial for child molestation and was found not guilty -
Death
Dies at age fifty