Yitzhak Rabin: Timeline of a great leader

1922: Born March 1 in Jerusalem to Russian-born parents.

1941: While still in high school, joins the Palmach, an underground commando unit, to fight British rule in Palestine.

1948: Commands the Harel Brigades that defend Jerusalem during Israel’s War of Independence. 

1964: Rises to chief of staff.

1967: Plans war that erupts June 5 and ends six days later, after Israel seizes West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, Gaza Strip from Egypt, Golan Heights from Syria.

1968: Appointed ambassador to the United States.

1974: Ruling Labor Party names Rabin to succeed Prime Minister Golda Meir.

1976: Authorizes June 27 raid in Entebbe, Uganda, where Israeli commandos rescue more than 100 Israelis from plane hijacked by Palestinians.

1977: Resigns over wife Leah’s illegal U.S. bank account. 

1984: Returns to government, serving for six years as defense minister in Labor-Likud coalition governments.

1992: Labor Party recaptures government in June election, and Rabin becomes prime minister.

1993: Shakes hands Sept. 13 at the White House with PLO leader Yasser Arafat after the first Oslo Accord is signed, offering a framework for autonomy in the West Bank and Gaza. The two shared 1994’s Nobel Peace Prize with Shimon Peres.

1994: Joins Jordan’s King Hussein in Washington, D.C., to sign declaration ending 46-year state of war.

1995: Signs second Oslo agreement with Arafat expanding Palestinian autonomy. 

1995: On Nov. 4, Rabin, 73, is assassinated after a peace rally in Tel Aviv. Israeli religious extremist Yigal Amir is serving a life sentence for the murder.

SOURCE: CNN.COM