TIMELINE: Key dates in the history of Nortel

(Reuters) - Nortel Networks Corp, North America's biggest maker of telephone equipment, filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States on Wednesday, a day before it was due to make a $107 million interest payment.

At its peak during the tech bubble of 2000, Nortel reported about $30 billion of annual revenue and employed nearly 93,000 employees.

Here are some key dates in the company's history:

Sept 1998 -- Company changes name to Nortel Networks from Northern Telecom underlining its shift toward data and multimedia networking from telecommunications

May 1, 2000 -- BCE Inc, Canada's biggest telecommunications group, completes spinoff to shareholders of 35 percent stake in Nortel, worth about C$88.5 billion ($75.6 billion)

July, 2000 -- Nortel shares reach a high of C$124.50, or more than C$1,100 each if adjusted for a stock consolidation that took place in late 2006, giving it a market cap of more than $250 billion.

October 24, 2000: Stock drops about 20 percent after company misses revenue target.

February 15, 2001 - Nortel cuts 2001 earnings and sales forecast in half, blaming severe erosion in U.S. economic conditions. The warning triggers a 33 percent drop in its stock and brings class-action lawsuits.

May 29, 2002 - Nortel plans to cut 3,500 jobs and sell more assets as it pares its revenue forecast.