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Page last updated at 10:47 GMT, Thursday, 29 January 2009
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1 SEPTEMBER


Hurricane Gustav means the first day of the Republican convention is scaled back, with Cindy McCain and Laura Bush hosting a fundraiser instead.


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3 SEPTEMBER


Sarah Palin, John McCain's surprise choice for running mate, makes her debut speech and wins over the Republican party faithful.


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4 SEPTEMBER


John McCain delivers his acceptance speech to the national convention, as he becomes the Republican Party's official presidential candidate.


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24 SEPTEMBER


With a $700bn financial rescue under debate in Congress, John McCain announces he is suspending his campaign to return to Washington.


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26 SEPTEMBER


The first presidential debate between the candidates, focusing on foreign policy, goes ahead as planned at the University of Mississippi.


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29 SEPTEMBER


The House of Representatives votes against the $700bn bail-out and Wall Street's shares plunge in their biggest ever points drop for a single day.


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2 OCTOBER


Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin fight it out in the vice-presidential debate in Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.


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7 OCTOBER


The second presidential debate, at Belmont University, Nashville, was a town hall meeting with questions from the audience.


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10 OCTOBER


A bipartisan investigation in Alaska says Sarah Palin violated the state's ethics laws in her decision to dismiss the public safety commissioner.


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15 OCTOBER


The final debate, in New York, with the candidates encouraged to ask each other questions on domestic issues and about their plans for the economy.


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19 OCTOBER


Colin Powell, former Secretary of State for President George W Bush, endorses Barack Obama and criticises the McCain campaign's negative approach.


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US ELECTION AT-A-GLANCE



SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER

Pick a day to follow the campaign as it unfolded in our daily and weekly election bulletins.

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