SEE SARAH IN ALL HER GLORY The Palin Photo Galleries

One year ago Saturday, Republican presidential hopeful John McCain hoisted little-know Sarah Palin onto the national stage. Little could McCain imagine the cast of characters she would bring with her or the firestorm she would create.

Alaska is bigger than Sarah Palin
by Roberta Graham
Alaskans are a talented and capable breed, and we will not be defined by Sarah Palin.

Influential, but not in a good way
by Larry Persily
Sarah Palin will be remembered for how she changed the world's view of our state, not for her tumultuous yet timid 31 1/2 months as governor.

Good riddance
by Roseanne Pagano
Far from inheriting the mantle of galvanizing firebrand, capable of stirring conservative passions and a big voting bloc, Palin had receded into a harmless joke. What a relief.

Sarah Palin goes viral: a timeline

1984 -- Wins Miss Wasilla title and finishes runner-up for Miss Alaska

1987 -- Graduates from the University of Idaho with a degree in communications.

1988 -- Goes on-air as a sports reporter for Anchorage's KTUU-TV and marries high-school sweetheart Todd Palin.

1989 -- First son Track is born.

1990 -- First daughter Bristol is born.

1991 -- Starts her political career by joining the PTA in Wasilla.

1992 -- Runs for and is elected to the Wasilla city council on a general theme of smaller, better, more-efficient government.

1995 -- Re-elected to a second, three-year term on the council. Daughter Willow born.