Key events in 2012 U.S. presidential election

Aug. 27-30, 2012 Republican National Convention

The U.S. Republican Party kicked off its 2012 National Convention in Tampa, Florida, which is set to nominate Mitt Romney as the party's candidate to challenge President Barack Obama in the November presidential election. Read more

Sept. 3-6, 2012 Democratic National Convention

The U.S. Democratic Party kicked off its 2012 National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, in attempt to generate a renewed enthusiasm for Obama's re-election bid and help him win the battleground of North Carolina. Read more

Oct. 3, 2012 1st round of presidential debate

U.S. President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney on Wednesday began their first presidential debate at Denver University in Denver, Colorado, with the debate focusing on economy and domestic issues. Read more

Oct. 16, 2012 2nd round of presidential debate

The second presidential debate, with high stakes for both candidates, took place at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, featuring questions from an audience composed of 82 uncommitted voters selected by Gallup. Read more

Oct. 22, 2012 final round of presidential debate

The presidential debate finale started on Monday night in in Lynn University in Boca Raton of Florida to duel on foreign policy issues in their third face-to-face encounter. Read more

Nov. 6, 2012 Election Day

Jan. 20, 2013 presidential inauguration