1984 - The video "The Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller" was released and becomes the biggest-selling music video of all time. Michael: "The success of 'The Making of Thriller' was a bit of a shock to all of of." This record will later only be broken once...

Guess by whom...

1973 - Michael’s hit song, Ben, from the soundtrack of the movie of the same name, was nominated for a Best Original Song Academy Award in 1973. Michael sang it at the ceremony on March 27, 1973, looking visibly older than he had when the song was released the previous summer. Unfortunately, Ben didn’t win the trophy that night.

1983 - Billie Jean and Beat It were already on heavy MTV rotation when Michael agreed to appear alongside his brothers for Motown’s 25th anniversary television special, but only on condition that he also be allowed to perform Billie Jean in a solo spot.

Produced by Suzanne DePasse – who had been present at the Jackson Five’s audition nearly fifteen years earlier – Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever was taped at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on March 25, 1983 and broadcast nearly two months later on May 16th.

After Michael and his brothers – including Jermaine – performed a medley of their Motown hits, they left the stage while he grabbed a fedora hat while the opening notes to Billie Jean brought the crowd to its feet. In what would become his defining moment in show business, he performed his “moonwalk” dance for the first time during the song’s guitar break before the final chorus.

1997 - Sony Music presented Michael with a special award to signify sales of 100 million singles and albums OUTSIDE of the United States, since his first solo album for Epic Records in 1979, "Off The Wall".

1991 - In New York City, the biggest deal in music history was announced between Michael and Sony, who bought CBS in 1988. The Japanese-owned multi-national corporation signs Michael to a 15 year, 6-album record and film contract.

Michael enters the Guinness Book of World Records as the highest paid entertainer in the music industry and up to today still holds his record. The Guinness Book of World Records reports that the contract is worth US$ 890 million [US$ 1 billion is estimated].

Michael received an US$ 18 million cash advance for the forthcoming album, plus a $ 5 million bonus for this and each of his next 5 albums.

Michael, now the highest-paid entertainer in the music industry, receiving a royalty rate of 25% on each album sold. He is also CEO of his own record label, Nation Records [which was renamed to MJJ Productions later], for which he will receive US$ 1 million per annum. The lucrative deal is reported in the press as setting new standards for cost and scope.

1998 - Michael appeared for the second time on the German television show "Wetten dass...?" ["Wanna bet...?"] to announce that he will hold 2 charity concerts:

"Michael Jackson and Friends", one in Munich, Germany [June 27, 1999], and one in Seoul, South Korea [June 25, 1999].

Michael's appearance attracted the same record-breaking viewership of 18 million in Germany alone, like his first appearance on November 4, 1995. Michael's now second appearance is again a mega event for both the fans and the press!

1984 - Michael Jackson cover titled "Why He's A Thriller". Michael's 1984 cover was the 5th biggest-selling issue in "TIME" magazine's history. Princess Diana's commemorative issue after her death was number one. To be on the cover of "TIME" magazine is seen as a major step.

1988 - The U.S. leg of the Bad World Tour began at Kansas City’s Kemper Arena on February 23, 1988. A month into the tour, Michael – finally ready to leave his family’s Encino home – bought a property he had been looking at for some time, a 2,700-acre ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley near Santa Barbara that he would christen “Neverland”.

Although Michael’s tour would keep him away from his new home for most of 1988, the purchase gave him time to refurbish it into a magical space, complete with amusement rides and a petting zoo. It was a deeply symbolic move for the 29-year-old man who saw himself as a “Peter Pan” figure, a committed champion for the happiness of children.

1996 - At a press conference in Paris, Michael announced plans for his new company, "Kingdom Entertainment", a Paris-based multimedia corporation, jointly owned with Saudi Prince, Al-Walid bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz al-Saoud.

2001 - Michael inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - for his achievements as a solo artist - on March 19, 2001. What a honor!!

"I am thrilled and humbled to receive this great honor. I could not ask to be in better company than the list of fellow inductees. Each and every one is a master from whom I have learned. My sincere thanks to the rock and roll historians and experts who have chosen me."

Musicians become eligible for induction twenty-five years after the release of their first album, and sidemen become eligible twenty-five years after the commencement of their career. Michael was already inducted along with the rest of the Jackson 5 in 1997.

1989 - Michael invites 200 deprived children of St.Vincent institute for handicapped children and of the organization Big Brothers and Big Sisters to the Circus Vargas in Santa Barbara. After this event he invites them to his ranch to introduce his private zoo at his Neverland Ranch to them.

1986 - A press conference announced the new Pepsi-Cola contract with Michael Jackson. Michael enters The Guinness Book Of World Records and is acknowledged by them as having the largest endorsement agreement in history between an individual and a major corporation [Pepsi-Cola]. A record of US$ 15 million were reported.

1969 - The Jackson Five’s contract with Motown records did not come into effect until March 11, 1969, after negotiations were made to buy out the existing Steeltown contract.

1976 - The Jackson 5's Motown contract has expired and their CBS/Epic contract, come into effect on March 11, 1976.

It was the beginning of a new chapter in Michael’s education. Despite the contentious nature of the lawsuits between Motown and the group, he was impressed by Gordy’s acumen in registering the name “Jackson 5″ under trademark, and was beginning to learn about business and law in a serious way, knowledge he would someday wield with great capability.

1993 - Michael had three nominations and received the Humanitarian of the Year award.

Despite having sprained his ankle the day before during dance rehearsals, he attended the awards presentation and he performed "Remember The Time" from a wheelchair as scheduled.

Michael's first appearance during the telecast came when he was named the Humanitarian of the Year. The award was presented by Michael's friend, Eddie Murphy:
I address these remarks to a very good friend of mine, Michael Jackson. Now, Michael, everyone knows you have broken every sales record known to man and that you have the number one and number two best selling albums of all time and the number one selling single of all time and he's the biggest selling artist ever, but tonight we're not here to talk about that, we're here to talk about your achievements as a humanitarian and your concern about the well-being of children and brothers and sisters everywhere and Mother Earth herself.

As the cheers from the crowd threatened to drown Murphy out, he cut his remarks short and said, "Hey, just show the film, huh!" A short film tribute to Michael, narrated by Eddie Murphy, outlined a few of Michael's countless efforts to help children and make the world a better place. Michael, who was on crutches, was helped to the stage from his front row seat by Bill Bray. He was dressed in black pants and a black jacket with belts across his chest, a red armband, and one shoe. After blowing kisses to the wildly cheering crowd, he apologized for his injury, and Murphy insisted he tell how it happened, "You can't just come out like that and not tell us what happened." Michael replied, "You really want to know? I was dancing and I went into a spin and I twisted my ankle very badly. But I wanted to come here to thank everyone." After poking fun at Murphy, "Eddie, I heard you have a new album out, that you're the one whose 'dangerous'". Michael continued:

Ever since I was a child, I realized I had a lot of love to share from my soul. The black tradition is a tradition of soul which is a gift of love and joy. Soul is the most precious thing you can share because you're sharing yourself and the world needs that gift now more than ever. The child wit AIDS, in the ghetto, is waiting for you along with the starving people in Africa and everyone else who needs healing. Make the world more beautiful by sharing with me the wonderful feeling you get when your soul is lifted up to become pure love. I accept this award on behalf of all the children of the world who are my inspiration and my hope...

Michael's next award was for Best R&B Soul Single, Male for "Remember The Time". Michael was wheeled out from backstage in a wheelchair by Bill Bray, then he stood with the aid of a crutch to accept the award:

Thank you again, I love you all. Thank you Berry Gordy, the Sony family, Akio Morita, Mickey Schulhof, Tommy Mottola, Dave Glew, and especially Hank Caldwell. Tessy Riley, all the program directors and DJ's, you play my records, Sandy Gallin and Jim Morey and the fans.

Michael changed in the gold Egyptian costume he wears in the video for "Remember The Time" and he performed the song sitting in an elaborate gold chair placed in the center of the stage, with his dancers behind him. Seated, he gyrated from the waist up and belted out the song like nobody's business, even binging himself up to stand, balancing himself on one foot a couple of times during the performance.

1985 - We Are The World was released on March 7, 1985 in both a 7″ and 12″ format, and reached the top of the sales charts within a month, half the average time it usually takes for a single to do so.

Although Michael was present throughout the evening’s events, he recorded his vocal parts earlier in the evening, before the other group members arrived. Consequently, his appearance in the song’s video stands out for being the only instance where a singer is not surrounded by his or her peers. Even among the world’s biggest stars, Michael’s star power was at least equal to the rest of them combined.

The song quickly became an anthem for the 80s, and along with the Band-Aid single, inspired a wave of musical charity events, from Live Aid on July 17, 1985 (which, ironically, Michael did not participate in, due to being tied up in filming Captain EO) to Hands Across America on May 25, 1986.

The music-charity movement grew to become far greater than the sum of its parts, but Michael’s crucial contribution guaranteed him a special place in a mass movement that came to define the 1980s pop culture almost as much as Thriller had two years earlier.

2001 - There was an explosion of "Michael Mania" last night at the tenth annual Michael Jackson Day in London. The event, which was held at the London Apollo, is put on every year to celebrate the life and achievements of the greatest entertainer in musical history.

This year's celebration was made all the more special because the King himself actually put in an appearance! At the end of the show Michael hobbled onto stage with his broken foot and had this to say: " The new album is two months away...it will be incredible I can assure you. Thank you all for coming here. I am overjoyed and humbled by what I have seen here tonight."

Throngs of wet fans had waited hours in the rain trying to get a glimpse of Michael as he arrived at the venue. The tribute show featured several B-list acts (all huge MJ fans), performing Michael's hits.

2010 - Michael Jackson honored with 2010 Angel Award by the Children Uniting Nations charity for his work to help disadvantaged youngsters around the world.

Randy Jackson accepted the 'Angel Award' on Michael's behalf. Children Uniting Nations is a proactive organization created to bring attention to the plight of at-risk and foster youth. Their goal is to reach as many children in out-of-home care by offering role-model support, guidance, a sense of community and promoting the importance of an education.

By accepting the award Rebbie Jackson said "I was very pleased and happy to be a part of this -- Michael was very passionate about children and supporting their causes. Boy, he would have loved this."

1983 - These two Billboard Awards represent the dynamic talents of American music royalty. On March 5, 1983 Michael Jackson reached the top of the Billboard music charts with the single "Billie Jean." This black lacquered wooden plaque illustrates the artists position at number one amongst the top 100 recordings. In 1986, Michael's sister Janet would make waves of her own. On March 22, she would hit the number one position on Billboards "Hot Black Singles" chart with her song "What Have You Done For Me Lately." Her achievement is featured on a black lacquered wooden plaque amongst the top 100 recordings. Excellent condition. Michael's Award: 20 x 17, Janet's Award: 21 x 16

2010 - Michael Jackson was inducted into ECHO Hall of Fame.

1981 - Michael, now a man at twenty-one, teamed up with his old partner Diana Ross again in 1981, appearing as a guest on her CBS-TV special, called Diana (not to be confused with Diana!, another CBS Ross special where Michael made his TV debut in 1971), which was broadcast at 10 p.m. on March 2, 1981

This time, the pair’s chemistry had evolved, they were now both adults, and their flirtatious between-song banter seemed less ironic and comedic than it had when he was still a boy.

1988 - Michael performed two songs (The Way You Make Me Feel and Man in the Mirror) at the 31st Annual Grammy Awards. Despite bringing the crowd to its feet with his spirited performance, Michael lost the Record of the Year award (his only nomination, for Man in the Mirror) to Bobby McFerrin for Don’t Worry, Be Happy.

Michael's performance on 30th Annual Grammy Awards was his first TV performance since 1983's Motown 25 special 5 years earlier.

Suddenly. the lights dimmed and a silhouette appeared from behind a screen. Michael stood, poised very still, with a hat perched on his head, down over his eyes. He slowly glided from one position to another as the screen slowly rose revealing Michael wearing short black pants, well above his ankles, and a blue shirt with a white t-shirt underneath it. He also had a white strip of fabric tied around his waist, and one around his wrist, looking he just stepped from the set of the video for "TWYMMF".

He descended a small staircase and sang very slowly the opening lines of TWYMMF, putting out an imaginary cigarette on the floor. In a special cameo appearance, Tatiana crossed the stage in front of him. As the music assumed its usual uptempo beat, Michael tossed the hat, pulled his shirt tails out and was joined by four dancers. The dazzling choreography borrowed from the song's video, and showcased Michael's new variation on the moonwalk, gliding around in a circle.

After the performance of an abbreviated TWYMMF, the dancers left the stage to Michael. After a pause for applause, he began MITM. He was joined on stage by the New Hope Baptist Church Choir, all in blue gowns. Michael's other background singers included Siedah Garrett and Andre Crouch, who at one point went out to Michael to help him up from his knees and wipe his forehead, a gesture reminiscent of James Brown's performances. Michael gave an outstanding performance, falling to his knees at several points and giving full emotion to the song's moving lyrics.

Michael was given a standing ovation for his performance that evening, but no Grammy...

Despite his shutout, Michael won over the audience with a performance recalling his 1983 Motown special stunner

His minimal showing in the statuette sweepstakes hardly diminished his uncontested talents