A chronology of the life of Sen. Edward Kennedy

Highlights in the life of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy:

Feb. 22, 1932: Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy is born in Boston, the youngest of nine children of Joseph P. and Rose Kennedy.

May 1951: Is caught cheating on an exam and leaves Harvard College. Enlists in the Army and serves for the next 16 months. Later re-enrolls at Harvard.

June 1954: Graduates from Harvard and enrolls at the University of Virginia Law School. Graduates from law school in 1959.

Nov. 29, 1958: Marries Virginia Joan Bennett, known as Joan.

Nov. 8, 1960: Kennedy's brother, John F. Kennedy, is elected president.

March 1962: Resigns as assistant district attorney in Suffolk County, Mass., and announces his candidacy for brother John's unexpired Senate term.

Nov. 6, 1962: Is elected U.S. senator from Massachusetts.

Nov. 22, 1963: President Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas.

June 19, 1964: Kennedy's back is broken in a plane crash that kills aide Edward Moss and the pilot, Edwin Zimny. Sen. Birch Bayh of Indiana and his wife, both passengers, are also injured.

Nov. 3, 1964: Brother Robert F. Kennedy is elected to the Senate from New York. Meanwhile, Ted Kennedy — still recovering from the June plane crash — wins a full Senate term in Massachusetts.

March 1968: Robert F. Kennedy announces his candidacy for the presidency.

June 5, 1968: After winning the California primary, Robert F. Kennedy is shot in Los Angeles and dies the next day.

July 18, 1969: Ted Kennedy drives his car off a bridge at Chappaquiddick, Mass., and manages to escape. His passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne, drowns. Kennedy later pleads guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, a misdemeanor, and receives a two-month suspended sentence and a year's probation.

July 25, 1969: Delivers a television address to explain his actions at Chappaquiddick.

Nov. 3, 1970: Is re-elected to the Senate but loses majority whip position. Chairs the Senate Health Committee.

November 1979: Announces his candidacy for the 1980 presidential nomination, challenging President Jimmy Carter.