Among the notable events in the troupe's history are:

1933: The San Francisco Opera Ballet is established. Its first performance, choreographed by Adolph Bolm, takes place.

1938: Willam Christensen arrives.

1939: The ballet company presents Willam Christensen's “Coppelia,” its first full-length ballet.

1940: The company presents the first full-length U.S. production of “Swan Lake.”

1942: The ballet company becomes independent of the San Francisco Opera.

1944: The company presents the nation's first full-length “Nutcracker.”

1951: Lew Christensen is named director.

1957: The company tours the Far East, the Middle East, and South America.

1965: The San Francisco Ballet debuts in New York City.

1972: The War Memorial Opera House becomes the company's official permanent home.

1973: Michael Smuin joins the company.

1974: The company faces bankruptcy, but a grassroots fundraising effort saves the day.

1983: The San Francisco Ballet Building became the first facility in the U.S. created expressly to house a major ballet company and its school.

1985: Helgi Tomasson becomes artistic director.

1990: Tomasson's “The Sleeping Beauty” premieres.

2006: The San Francisco Ballet is the first non-European company elected “Company of the Year” in Dance Europe magazine's annual reader poll.

2007: The San Francisco Ballet celebrates its 75th anniversary.