Early Life and Career:
* 1902: Born on February 27th in Salinas, California.
* 1919: Graduated from Salinas High School.
* 1925: Attended Stanford University but did not graduate.
* 1929: Published his first novel, "Cup of Gold," which was not commercially successful.
* 1930: Moved to New York City to pursue writing.
* 1932: Published his first successful novel, "Tortilla Flat," which introduced his signature style of writing about the lives of ordinary people.
Literary Success and Recognition:
* 1935: Published "Of Mice and Men," a novella that explored themes of friendship, dreams, and the harsh realities of life. It became a critical and commercial success.
* 1936: Published "The Red Pony," a novella about the growth and experiences of a boy on a ranch.
* 1937: Published "In Dubious Battle," a novel about labor strikes in California.
* 1939: Published "The Grapes of Wrath," a novel that tells the story of the Joad family, who migrate from Oklahoma to California during the Dust Bowl. This book won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, solidifying Steinbeck's reputation as a major American writer.
* 1940: Married to Carol Henning.
* 1942: Published "The Moon is Down," a novel about the Nazi occupation of a small town in Norway.
* 1943: Won the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Later Life and Career:
* 1947: Published "The Pearl," a novella about a poor Mexican fisherman who finds a giant pearl.
* 1952: Published "East of Eden," a complex novel that explores the theme of good and evil.
* 1960: Published "The Winter of Our Discontent," his last major novel.
* 1962: Died on December 20th in New York City.
Other Notable Events:
* Steinbeck was a strong supporter of the American labor movement and social justice.
* He was also a keen observer of nature and wrote extensively about the environment.
* He was known for his down-to-earth style of writing and his ability to portray the lives of ordinary people with empathy and understanding.
This is just a brief overview of John Steinbeck's life and career. For a more comprehensive understanding, you can consult biographies and critical studies of his work.