Mar 1, 1960 CE
Don Draper pitches Lucky Strike 'It's Toasted'
Don Draper wins the Lucky Strike account with his iconic 'It's Toasted' slogan, establishing his reputation at Sterling Cooper. #MadMen #TV
Chronological Storyline (39 Milestones)
Apr 1, 1960 CE
Pete Campbell discovers Don's secret identity
Pete Campbell finds Don's stolen wallet and learns he is really Dick Whitman, a deserter who assumed a dead officer's identity. Don threatens Pete to keep quiet. #MadMen #Secrets
May 1, 1960 CE
Peggy Olson becomes Don's secretary
Peggy Olson arrives at Sterling Cooper as Don's new secretary, beginning her journey in the advertising industry. #MadMen #PeggyOlson
Jun 1, 1960 CE
Peggy and Pete have a one-night stand
Peggy Olson and Pete Campbell have a brief affair, resulting in an unplanned pregnancy that Peggy later conceals. #MadMen #Relationships
Aug 1, 1960 CE
Don's Korean War flashback reveals identity switch
A flashback shows Don (then Dick Whitman) switching dog tags with his dead commanding officer, fully revealing his past. #MadMen #Backstory
Sep 1, 1960 CE
Betty confronts Don about his affair with Bobbie Barrett
After a car accident, Betty discovers Don's affair with comedian Bobbie Barrett and confronts him, straining their marriage. #MadMen #BettyDraper
Nov 1, 1960 CE
Peggy gives birth and gives up the baby
Peggy secretly gives birth to Pete's child after months of denial, then gives the baby up for adoption, causing her emotional turmoil. #MadMen #Pregnancy
Dec 1, 1960 CE
Don pitches Kodak Carousel 'The Wheel' campaign
Don delivers a moving pitch for the Kodak Carousel, using nostalgia about family photos to win the account. #MadMen #Advertising
Feb 1, 1961 CE
Betty's father dies, affecting her mental state
Betty's father Gene passes away, deepening her depression and causing her to withdraw from Don. #MadMen #Family
Feb 1, 1962 CE
Season 2 opens; Don feels trapped in his marriage
Don's marriage to Betty grows stale, and he begins to seek excitement outside the home. #MadMen #DonDraper
Apr 1, 1962 CE
Sterling Cooper acquired by Putnam, Powell & Lowe
Sterling Cooper is bought by a British firm, leading to changes in management and culture. #MadMen #Business
May 1, 1962 CE
Peggy promoted to junior copywriter
Peggy Olson is promoted to junior copywriter, becoming one of the first women in that role at the agency. #MadMen #Career
Jul 1, 1962 CE
Betty gives birth to Gene
Betty gives birth to a son, Gene, named after her late father, but struggles with postpartum depression. #MadMen #Baby
Oct 1, 1962 CE
Cuban Missile Crisis affects office dynamics
The Cuban Missile Crisis creates a tense atmosphere at Sterling Cooper, with characters fearing nuclear war. #MadMen #History
Dec 1, 1962 CE
Don and Betty separate after he reveals his past
Don finally tells Betty the truth about his identity, leading to a separation and eventual divorce. #MadMen #Divorce
Jan 1, 1963 CE
Roger Sterling suffers a heart attack
Roger Sterling has a heart attack during a meeting, prompting him to reassess his life. #MadMen #Health
Mar 1, 1963 CE
Volkswagen 'Think Small' campaign created
Sterling Cooper creates the iconic 'Think Small' ad for Volkswagen, a groundbreaking campaign in advertising history. #MadMen #Advertising
May 1, 1963 CE
Don and Betty's divorce finalized
Don and Betty legally end their marriage, with Betty retaining custody of the children. #MadMen #Divorce
Jul 1, 1963 CE
Founding of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce (SCDP)
Don, Roger, Pete, and Lane Pryce form a new agency, SCDP, after a merger fallout. #MadMen #SCDP
Oct 1, 1963 CE
JFK assassination shocks the characters
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy deeply affects the characters, highlighting the era's turmoil. #MadMen #History
Dec 1, 1963 CE
SCDP wins the Honda account
SCDP lands the Honda motorcycle account, a major victory for the new agency. #MadMen #Business
Jun 1, 1964 CE
Don has a brief affair in California
During a business trip to California, Don has a short-lived affair with a woman, reflecting his ongoing infidelity. #MadMen #Affairs
Dec 1, 1964 CE
Don proposes to Megan Calvet
Don proposes to his secretary Megan Calvet during a trip to California, surprising everyone. #MadMen #Megan
Feb 1, 1965 CE
Don and Megan marry
Don and Megan get married in a small ceremony, with Don's children attending. #MadMen #Wedding
May 1, 1965 CE
Megan lands a role on a soap opera
Megan begins her acting career, landing a role on a soap opera, which causes strain in her marriage to Don. #MadMen #Acting
Sep 1, 1965 CE
Don buys a new apartment for him and Megan
Don purchases a luxurious apartment in Manhattan for his new life with Megan. #MadMen #Lifestyle
Apr 1, 1966 CE
Tensions grow between Don and Megan
Don and Megan's marriage becomes strained due to her acting career and his jealousy. #MadMen #Marriage
Dec 1, 1966 CE
SCDP merges to become Sterling Cooper & Partners
SCDP merges with another agency, forming Sterling Cooper & Partners, expanding its reach. #MadMen #Business
Mar 1, 1967 CE
Don begins an affair with neighbor Sylvia Rosen
Don starts a secret affair with his neighbor Sylvia Rosen, further complicating his personal life. #MadMen #Affairs
Jun 1, 1967 CE
Peggy leaves SCDP to join another agency
Peggy decides to leave SCDP for a better opportunity, causing a rift with Don. #MadMen #Peggy
Dec 1, 1967 CE
Reporter nearly exposes Don's secret identity
A reporter investigates Don's past and almost reveals his true identity, forcing Don to take drastic action. #MadMen #Secrets
Apr 4, 1968 CE
Martin Luther King Jr. assassination affects office
The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. sparks grief and discussions about race at the agency. #MadMen #History
Jun 1, 1968 CE
Don and Megan separate
Don and Megan decide to separate after their marriage becomes irreparably strained. #MadMen #Divorce
Aug 1, 1968 CE
Don takes a road trip to California
Don goes on a soul-searching road trip to California, leaving his responsibilities behind. #MadMen #RoadTrip
Jan 1, 1969 CE
Don returns to New York and gets a new job
After his trip, Don returns to New York and accepts a position at McCann Erickson. #MadMen #Career
Jul 20, 1969 CE
Moon landing episode; Don watches with his children
Don spends time with his children watching the Apollo 11 moon landing, a moment of reflection. #MadMen #History
Apr 1, 1970 CE
Don meditates at a California retreat
Don attends a meditation retreat in California, seeking inner peace and a fresh start. #MadMen #Spirituality
May 1, 1970 CE
Final scene shows the 'Hilltop' ad airing
The series concludes with the famous 'I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke' commercial, symbolizing Don's creative return. #MadMen #Advertising
May 1, 1970 CE
Series finale: Don creates Coca-Cola 'Hilltop' ad
The series ends with Don smiling at the retreat, followed by the iconic Coca-Cola 'Hilltop' commercial, implying he created it. #MadMen #Finale