September 12, 1985: Steve Jobs Announces Plans to Start New Company

Steve Jobs had tangled with John Sculley and lost. As a result, the co-founder of Apple found himself relegated to an office as far away from the action as possible (the nickname of the room was "Siberia") and in a position with absolutely no power.

Naturally, the situation rankled Jobs. Deciding he had a lot left to give, Steve Jobs told Apple's board of directors he was leaving to start a new company and taking a few "low level" employees with him. He offered to resign his position at Apple but the board deferred the offer. Steve Jobs began laying the groundwork for an Apple departure this day in 1985.