( timeline )

Year: Although Amy dates her will November 20th, 1861 ("Amy's Will"), this would appear to be an inaccuracy, as it would mean that Mr. March is already serving in the Union Army by December 1860 — four months before the outbreak of the Civil War. A more realistic timeline would begin the story in December 1861, which means that the bulk of Part I takes place during 1862.

Birthday: Amy is 12 in December 1861 ("Playing Pilgrims") and is still 12 in September 1862 ("Castles in the Air"), which would mean her birthday falls in the autumn. She was born in 1849.

1861: 11-12
1862: 12-13
1866: 16-17
1867: 17-18
1868: 18-19
1869: 19-20

Christmas 1861 – Christmas 1862: the entirety of Part I

June 1866: Meg weds John Brooke (the three year time skip brings us to December 1865, and Meg's wedding is the following June)

1866: Amy flourishes in art, Jo in literature

July 1867: Daisy and Demi are born

Summer 1867: Amy takes Jo calling on neighbors; participates in Mrs. Chester’s fair

September 1867: Amy goes abroad with Aunt Carrol

November 1867: Jo goes to New York

June 1868: Jo leaves New York to return to Concord; Laurie graduates college

Summer 1868: Laurie confesses to Jo; departs for Europe

Christmas 1868: Amy and Laurie reunite in Nice

January 1869: Amy lectures Laurie; Laurie leaves Nice

Spring 1869: Beth dies

May 1869: Amy leaves Nice for Vevey, Switzerland; reunites with Laurie

June 1869: Amy is engaged to Laurie; they marry soon after

July 1869: Amy, Laurie, and Mr. Laurence return to Concord