TIMELINE - Timeline of Yahoo takeover saga

(Reuters) - Activist investor Carl Icahn put forward a rival slate of directors for Yahoo (YHOO.O) on Thursday, aiming to force it to reopen talks with Microsoft (MSFT.O), two weeks after it spurned Microsoft's $47.5 billion takeover bid.

Following is a timeline of key events in the takeover saga, stretching back more than two years, when Yahoo's financial results began weakening and private talks started in which Microsoft sought to merge with the Web pioneer.

Early 2006 - Yahoo would begin to report a string of disappointments in quarterly results over the next two years that reflected competitive missteps by the company, market share gains by rival Google, changes in the online advertising landscape and weakening spending in some ad segments.

Late 2006/early 2007 - Microsoft and Yahoo discuss various partnerships, including a merger.

2007

February - Yahoo, under the leadership of previous Chief Executive Terry Semel, tells Microsoft it is not the right time to discuss a takeover as Yahoo board sees great potential from new advertising technology and internal changes.

June 12 - A strong minority of Yahoo shareholders challenged Yahoo's direction, as CEO Semel came under fire. Nearly a third of votes cast at the company's annual shareholder meeting were against some of Yahoo's directors.

June 18 - Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang takes over as chief executive as Semel steps aside. Semel remains Yahoo chairman.

2008

January 31 - Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer makes $44.6 billion, $31-per-share cash-and-stock takeover offer to Yahoo board. Semel resigns as chairman and is replaced by Roy Bostock.

February 1 - Microsoft makes the offer public. Its shares fall 6.6 percent to $30.45; Yahoo shares rise 48 percent to $28.38.

February 11 - Yahoo rejects Microsoft offer as too low.

February 13 - MySpace owner News Corp NWSa.N and Yahoo discuss tie-up, according to a source.

March 18 - Yahoo gives financial forecasts for next two years, in effort to prove it is worth more than Microsoft bid.

March 28 - One of seven face-to-face meetings between the "senior-most" executives of Microsoft and Yahoo to discuss the bid. Yahoo asks how Microsoft intends to handle regulatory issues, including antitrust concerns, tied to a merger.

April 4 - People familiar with the matter say Microsoft is evaluating its bid for Yahoo because the Internet company may have lost value since Microsoft first made its offer.