Levi Strauss, the founder of Levi Strauss & Co., was born in Bavaria in 1829.

In 1847, Levi Strauss, along with his mother and sister, left Bavaria and sailed to New York. This marked the beginning of his journey to establish a successful business empire.

The first jeans were created by Levi Strauss & Co.

Levi Strauss moved to San Francisco in 1853 during the California Gold Rush to establish a Western branch of his family's dry goods business. He was a German immigrant who had previously worked with his brother in New York.

German-Jewish immigrant Levi Strauss founded Levi Strauss & Co. in May 1853 in San Francisco, California, to open a West Coast branch of his brothers' New York dry goods business.

In 1854, Levi Strauss moved to San Francisco as the Gold Rush attracted people to the area. There, he sold clothing and supplies shipped from his brothers' wholesale dry goods company.

In 1863, Levi Strauss renamed his company to 'Levi Strauss & Co.' This marked a significant milestone in the company's history as it solidified its brand identity.

In 1866, Levi Strauss & Co. establishes its headquarters at 14-16 Battery Street in San Francisco, where it remains for the next 40 years.

In 1871, Levi Strauss & Co. contributes $100 to the Chicago Relief Fund to aid in the city's reconstruction efforts following the devastating fire of 1871.

In 1872, Jacob Davis, a tailor from Reno, Nevada, contacts Levi Strauss & Co. to propose a joint patent for his innovative process of riveting pocket corners on men's pants, laying the foundation for a significant development in clothing manufacturing.

On May 20, 1873, Levi Strauss & Co. received United States Patent 139,121 for the copper-riveted waist overalls, a revolutionary product that combined tough denim with copper rivet reinforcements.

In 1882, Levi Strauss collaborated with a tailor to create riveted pants, which laid the foundation for the iconic jeans we know today.

In 1886, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis obtained a U.S. patent for Levi's jeans.

The exhibition at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco features a 1889 advertisement for Levi Strauss' 'Patent Riveted' pants, showcasing the history of the iconic denim brand.

In 1890, Levi Strauss & Co. was officially incorporated by Levi Strauss and his nephews. This marked a formalization of the company's structure and operations.

In 1897, Levi Strauss donated funds to establish 28 scholarships at the University of California, Berkeley. These scholarships continue to support students at the university to this day, showcasing Levi Strauss' commitment to education and philanthropy.

In 1901, a second back pocket was added to the design of jeans, providing additional functionality and style.

The founder of Levi Strauss & Co., Levi Strauss, passes away.

Levi Strauss & Co. introduces khaki pants and coats to their product line.

In 1906, an earthquake and fire destroyed the headquarters and two factories of Levi Strauss & Co. Despite the devastation, the company extended credit to its wholesale customers, continued employee salaries, and opened temporary headquarters to keep employees working.

In 1912, Simon Davis, the son of Jacob Davis and the superintendent of the Valencia Street factory, invented 'Koveralls,' a one-piece play suit for children. This product became the company's first nationally distributed product.

In 1915, Levi Strauss & Co. received the Highest Award for waist overalls at the Panama Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. This recognition marked a significant achievement for the company, which also began purchasing denim from Cone Mills in North Carolina.

In 1919, Walter A. Haas, Sr. joined Levi Strauss & Co., bringing his expertise and leadership to the company. His addition marked a pivotal moment in the company's history.

In 1920, Levi Strauss & Co. opened a factory in Frankfort, Indiana dedicated to the production of Koveralls. This expansion reflected the company's commitment to innovation and growth.

In 1922, belt loops were incorporated into the design of jeans, allowing wearers to accessorize with belts for a more customized fit.

In 1926, bonuses were awarded to workers at the Valencia Street factory, possibly marking a significant development in the apparel industry. This gesture may have boosted morale and productivity among employees.

In 1928, Levi Strauss & Co. officially registered the word Levi's® as a trademark, solidifying its brand identity and protecting its products from unauthorized use. This marked a crucial step in the company's history.

In 1934, LS&CO. introduced 'Lady Levi’s®,' the company's first blue jean designed specifically for women.

In 1936, Levi Strauss & Co. added the trademarked red 'Levi's' tab to the back pocket of its pants. This iconic label became a symbol of the brand's authenticity and quality.

In 1937, Levi's responded to customer feedback by covering up the trademark back-pocket rivets on their jeans to enhance comfort and prevent scratching of saddles and upholstery.

In 1939, the famous actor John Wayne was photographed wearing Levi's jeans, contributing to the brand's association with cowboys and the working class.

In 1948, Levi Strauss & Co. decided to stop its wholesale business operations to focus solely on manufacturing apparel.

By 1950, Levi's had manufactured a staggering 95 million pairs of jeans, priced at $3.50 each, showcasing the brand's mass appeal and affordability.

Levi's changed their overalls design in response to a mandatory government regulation. This change was likely influenced by the need to comply with new rules or standards.

In 1954, Levi Strauss & Co. launched 'Lighter Blues' casual slacks along with the 'Denim Family' line, marking its entry into the sportswear market.

Levi's jeans were selected to be showcased at the American Pavilion during the World's Fair in Brussels in 1958.

The Levi Strauss Foundation was established in 1959 with the purpose of supporting charitable organizations and initiatives. It was created to give back to the community and make a positive impact through philanthropy.

In the 1960s, Levi Strauss & Co. opened its first plant in the southern region of the United States, specifically in Blackstone, Virginia. The company made a significant decision to ensure that the facility was integrated from the beginning, even before federal laws mandated desegregation.

In 1961, clothing from Levi Strauss & Co. was showcased in Paris by their French distributor, highlighting the international presence and reach of the brand.

In 1962, Levi Strauss & Co. was honored with President Kennedy’s “E” award for its significant contributions to the United States export program, recognizing the company's role in promoting exports.

The year 1963 marked the introduction of pre-shrunk Levi’s® jeans, a significant development in the denim industry that offered customers a more convenient and comfortable wearing experience.

In 1964, Levi Strauss & Co. introduced STA-PREST® slacks, the first wrinkle-free products, and Levi’s® jeans were added to the permanent collections of the Smithsonian Institution, solidifying their cultural significance.

In 1965, Levi Strauss & Co. expanded its operations into Europe and Asia by establishing Levi Strauss International and Levi Strauss Far East, marking a significant milestone in the company's global growth.

In 1966, Levi Strauss & Co. aired its first television commercial, utilizing this medium to reach a wider audience and promote its iconic Levi’s® jeans.

In 1967, Levi’s® jeans were exhibited in major cities like Moscow, Prague, and Warsaw, showcasing the global popularity and recognition of the brand.

In 1968, Levi Strauss & Co. established the Community Affairs department, formalizing the company's philanthropic efforts.

In 1970, the first Community Involvement Teams were formed at the headquarters office of LS&CO., emphasizing community engagement.

In 1971, Levi Strauss & Co. went public, marking a significant milestone in the company's history. By this time, Levi's jeans had become popular worldwide, solidifying the brand's reputation as a leading denim manufacturer.

In 1974, the company headquarters of an undisclosed organization relocated to a large office complex at Embarcadero Center in San Francisco.

In 1975, a Levi's store in Los Angeles symbolized the brand's continued popularity and presence during the American fashion renaissance of the 1960s and '70s.

The book 'Levi's: The Shrink to Fit business that stretched to cover the world' by Ed Cray was published in 1978, highlighting the global expansion and success of Levi's business.

The company introduces a new line of clothing specifically designed for athletes.

Employee donations at the Kaposi Sarcoma clinic at San Francisco General Hospital are matched by the Levi Strauss Foundation. Support groups for HIV+ employees are formed at the headquarters.

Levi's expands its presence internationally by introducing its products in foreign markets.

Levi's launched an advertising campaign for its 501 jeans during the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, resulting in a significant increase in sales.

One year after the 1984 Olympics, Levi's transitioned from being a public company to a private one through a leveraged buyout led by Levi Strauss' descendants, valued at $1.7 billion.

In 1986, Dockers® Khakis were introduced in the United States by the company. This marked the beginning of a new line of clothing in the American market.

In 1988, Elizabeth Van Steenwyk published the book 'Levi Strauss: The Blue Jeans Man', shedding light on the story of Levi Strauss and his impact as the 'Blue Jeans Man'.

In 1990, LS&CO. received the prestigious German Apparel Supplier of the Year award, becoming the first non-German and jeans company to win this recognition.

In 1991, an investigation revealed that some products represented as made in the United States by Levi Strauss & Co. were actually manufactured in the Northern Mariana Islands under illegal sweatshop conditions. This controversy led to changes in the company's labour standards and practices.

In 1992, Levi's released a pamphlet titled 'A Guide to Casual Businesswear' to address the lack of clear guidelines for casual Fridays in the workplace. The pamphlet provided examples of appropriate attire, focusing on Dockers khakis and Levi's jeans, and defined the concept of 'business casual.'

In response to positive changes in South Africa, LS&CO.'s South Africa Policy Group recommends modifying the company's policy to potentially do business in the country under specific conditions.

Employees at LS&CO.'s Customer Service Center in Canton, Miss., were recognized by the White House and Congress for their volunteer efforts supporting children and families in the Jackson and Canton communities.

By 1995, Levi's posted record sales of $6.7 billion, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. The success was attributed to the company's strategic approach to defining 'business casual' attire and promoting Dockers khakis and Levi's jeans as workplace staples.

Levi's® Vintage Clothing (LVC) is launched globally, offering authentic reproductions of clothing from the Levi Strauss & Co. Archives.

In 1997, Levi's announced the closure of 11 manufacturing plants and the layoff of about 6,400 employees, which accounted for approximately 34% of its workforce. This decision was influenced by various factors including decreased spending on apparel, manufacturing advancements, and increased competition from other brands.

In 1998, LS&CO. marked the 125th anniversary of the invention of jeans, a significant milestone in the company's history.

In 2000, LS&CO. launched Levi’s® Engineered Jeans™, a modern reinvention of jeans. Additionally, the company was ranked No. 2 in Fortune’s “America’s Best Companies for Minorities”.

In 2002, Levi Strauss started a business partnership with Walmart, creating a line of 'Signature' jeans exclusively sold in Walmart stores until 2006.

In 2004, the Levi Strauss Foundation was honored with the Corporate Philanthropy Award by the Ms. Foundation for their theme on how community participation strengthens democracy.

In the film 'Brokeback Mountain' released in 2005, a denim jacket became a focal point of the drama, showcasing the iconic status of denim apparel. This further solidified the cultural significance of denim clothing in popular media.

By 2007, Levi's had managed to turn around its financial situation and become profitable once again after a decade of declining sales. This marked a significant achievement for the company after facing challenges in the previous years.

In 2011, Levi Strauss appointed Chip Bergh as the president and chief executive officer of the brand, marking a significant leadership change.

On May 8, 2013, Levi Strauss & Co. acquired the naming rights for the San Francisco 49ers' new stadium in Santa Clara, California, in a substantial deal worth $220.3 million over 20 years.

In the 2010s, there was a shift in denim trends from pricey brands to reasonably priced Levi's due to 'denim fatigue' where all jeans looked similar. Levi's classic styles like the relaxed-fit 505 and straight-leg 501 remained popular.

Levi Strauss & Co. opened up their Screened Chemistry, Water<Less® and Worker Well-being programs to the greater industry in hopes of making a greater impact on the planet and those who work in the apparel supply chain.

In 2017, Levi Strauss & Co. introduced a 'smart jacket' developed in partnership with Google, offering a technologically advanced denim jacket at a premium price point.

Project F.L.X. digitizes denim finish design and development, enabling a responsive and sustainable supply chain at an unparalleled scale.

Levi Strauss CEO Chip Bergh rang the New York Stock Exchange opening bell on March 21, 2019, accompanied by CFO Harmit Singh. The NYSE relaxed its dress code for the occasion, allowing everyone to wear jeans and denim jackets.

On August 5, 2021, Levi Strauss & Co. announced the acquisition of Beyond Yoga, marking their entry into the activewear market and anticipating a significant boost in annual revenue.

During the shareholder meeting in April, Levi's CEO announced that 501 revenues are expected to reach nearly $800 million in 2023. This projection shows the company's confidence in the continued success of the 501 products.

Levi's set a goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, showcasing its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.