In To Kill a Mockingbird, approximately when does the story begin? Not dates, the actual story.

The actual story begins on about the fourth page of
Chapter 1, when Scout tells us that "That was the summer Dill came to us." The story is
set in the early- to mid-1930s. We know this because Atticus states that the year is
1935 during his summation in the Tom Robinson trial.

The
story first starts in the future, since the first page of the novel is a recollection by
the adult Scout. She mentions Jem's injury from long ago, and she tells the reader that
she and Jem still seek out Atticus when they need advice. Since the novel was first
published in 1960, we can assume that Scout's remembrance occurs in the late
1950s.

The actual story takes place over the course of
about 28-30 months (1933-1935). We know this because Dill comes to visit three times
during the summer months. Also, Scout tells us early in the novel that Jem is nearly 10
years old; later, Jem has turned 12 (Chapter 12).

Part One
takes place over a two year period, while Part Two comprises a five month
period.