Events - Browse By Major Periods - Age of Global Civilization (1844 to 2050)

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Declaration of the Bab's Mission on May 22
1844
Religion, Iran
Morse sends first telegraph message, "What hath God wrought!" on May 24, 1844
1844
Telecom, United States
William Miller and his followers expect the return of Christ
1844
Religion, United States
Charles Goodyear patents a process for vulcanizing rubber
1844
Invention, United States
Mulla Husayn is the first to believe in the Bab
1844
Religion, Iran
Quddus, outstanding disciple of the Bab, travels with the Bab on pilgrimage
1844
Religion, Iran
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Written by Himself
1845
Human Rights, United States
"Manifest Destiny" first used in one of America's most popular magazines
1845
Geography, United States
Ireland's potato famine
1845
Disaster, Ireland
Kierkegaard: Concluding Unscientific Postscript to Philosophical Fragments
1846
Philosophy, Denmark
Texas becomes the twenty-eighth state
1846
Government, United States
British Corn Laws abolished by Parliament
1846
Government, United Kingdom
Brigham Young and the Mormons found Salt Lake City
1847
Religion, United States
Winfield Scott defeats Santa Anna in Mexico City to end the U.S.-Mexican War
1847
War, Mexico
Liberia becomes an independent state
1847
Government, Liberia
Siemens is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1847
Trade, Global
BNP Paribas is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1848
Trade, Global
In March, Milan rebels against Austria & wins, but Radetzky strikes back in July
1848
Government, Europe
In March, rioting in Vienna--Metternich is dismissed and Sophie of Bavaria emerges
1848
Government, Europe
In February, rebels take streets of Paris and Louis-Phillippe abdicates
1848
Government, France
Marx and Engels publish The Communist Manifesto
1848
Government, United Kingdom
California gold rush begins & population grows from 14,000 to 380,000 in 10 years
1848
Geography, United States
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: US annexes more than 1/2 of Mexico
1848
Geography, Mexico
British win decisively at Gujarat in Second Anglo-Sikh War
1849
War, India
Denmark signs Constitution, ending absolute monarchy which had begun in 1660
1849
Government, Denmark
"A Burial at Ornans" by Gustave Courbet
1850
Arts, France
Singer produces the first commercially-successful sewing machine
1850
Invention, United States
Fugitive Slave Act requires all escaped slaves to be returned to the slaver
1850
Human Rights, United States
Aided by circuit riders & camp meetings, Methodists increase to 2.7 million
1850
Religion, United States
At mid-century, slaves in western Cuba make 1/3 of all sugar sold on world market
1850
Trade, Cuba
Nathaniel Hawthorne publishes "House of Seven Gables"
1851
Arts, United States
Taiping Rebellion begins in 1851
1851
War, China
"The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations"--1st World's Fair
1851
Invention, United Kingdom
Herman Melville's Moby-Dick is published
1851
Arts, United States
Louis Napoleon stages coup dissolving the assembly
1851
Government, France
Tahirih "the Pure One" is the first woman suffrage martyr
1852
Religion, Iran
Battle of Synop
1853
War,
Commodore Perry arrives in Tokyo Bay to open trade with United States
1853
Trade, Global
Charge of the British Light Brigade in the Crimean War
1854
War, Russia
Florence Nightingale modernizes nursing care for British soldiers in the Crimea
1854
Health, United Kingdom
Republican Party forms in opposition to slavery
1854
Human Rights, United States
John Snow, epidemiologist, identifies contaminated water as source of cholera
1854
Health, United Kingdom
Credit Suisse is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1856
Trade, Global
New Zealand gains independence from the United Kingdom
1856
Geography, New Zealand
Indians mutiny in British army because of new cartridges containing meat fat
1857
War, India
"Niagara" by Frederic Edwin Church
1857
Arts, United States
Constitution of 1857 creates Second Federal Republic of Mexico
1857
Government, Mexico
War of Reform begins between Conservatives (Mexico City) & Liberals (Veracruz)
1857
War, Mexico
Prior to the Civil War, religious colleges taught intelligent design and evolution
1859
Education, United States
First ironclad frigate
1859
Invention, Europe
Antebellum colleges teach moral philosophy to rebute David Hume's skepticism
1859
Education, United States
John Brown raids Harpers Ferry to obtain weapons for slave rebellion
1859
Human Rights, United States
Charles Darwin causes an intellectual storm publishing The Origin of Species
1859
Science, United Kingdom
Louis Pasteur demonstrates that fermentation is caused by living microorganisms
1859
Science, France
Garibaldi arrives in Sicily with his 1200 men aboard two steamers
1860
War, Italy
Great Eastern crosses Atlantic--first passengers & later lays first lasting cable
1860
Transportation, Global
French and British armies sack the Summer Palace in Beijing
1860
War, China
Guiseppe Mazzini, a leader of Italian unification, publishes "Duties of Man"
1860
Philosophy, Italy
George Eliot publishes "Silas Marner"
1861
Arts, United Kingdom
French intervene and establish Second Mexican Empire
1861
Government, Mexico
United Italy calls its first parliament
1861
Government, Italy
Michaux invents the Velocipede--considered to be the first true bicycle
1861
Transportation, France
Typhoid fever kills Prince Albert--Queen Victoria begins 40 years of mourning
1861
Government, United Kingdom
Civil War begins when Confederates attack Fort Sumter
1861
War, United States
Tsar Alexander II emancipates the serfs despite opposition of nobility
1861
Human Rights, Russia
Homestead Act opens millions of acres in the Midwest of the United States
1862
Geography, United States
Battle of Antietam after Lee crosses the Potomac River to invade Pennsylvania
1862
War, United States
President Lincoln issues emancipation proclamation to start 1/1/1863
1862
Human Rights, United States
First manually powered machine gun built by Richard Gatlin
1862
Invention, United States
Louis Pasteur and Claude Bernard invent pasteurization
1862
Invention, France
Beginning of "Self-Strengthening" movement in China (1862-1875)
1862
Government, China
Bayer is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1863
Trade, Global
In July, Union stops Confederates at Battle of Gettysburg--a turning point
1863
War, United States
In November, President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address
1863
Human Rights, United States
First underground passenger railway serves London
1863
Transportation, United Kingdom
Declaration of Baha'u'llah in the Garden of Ridvan
1863
Religion, Iraq
Geneva Convention protects wounded soldiers and medical personnel in war
1864
Human Rights, Global
First International founded in London--25 elected members including Karl Marx
1864
Government, United Kingdom
Gordon helps Chinese Qing dynasty defeat the Taiping rebellion
1864
War, China
Sherman captures Atlanta and then leads destructive March to the Sea
1864
War, United States
First successful trans-Atlantic submarine telegraph cable
1865
Invention, United Kingdom
Formation of International Telecommunication Union
1865
Telecom, Global
BASF is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1865
Trade, Global
HSBC is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1865
Trade, Global
On April 9, Civil War ends as Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattox
1865
War, United States
On April 14, President Lincoln assassinated
1865
Government, United States
Leo Tolstoy publishes first part of "War and Peace"
1865
Arts, Russia
In December, U.S. Constitution is amended to abolish slavery
1865
Human Rights, United States
Battle of Koniggratz--Austria defeated & Prussia gains control of northern Germany
1866
War, Germany
Fyodor Dostoevsky publishes "Crime and Punishment"
1866
Arts, Russia
Alfred Nobel invents dynamite
1867
Invention, Sweden
Baha'u'llah reveals Suriy-i-Muluk {Tablets to the Kings)
1867
Religion, Global
Emperor Maximilian is executed in Mexico after Napoleon III withdraws troops
1867
Government, Mexico
Karl Marx publishes Das Kapital--labor is exploited in capitalism
1867
Government, Germany
Canada gains nominal independence from the United Kingdom
1867
Geography, Canada
Modernization of Japan begins with the Meiji Restoration--the end of feudalism
1868
Human Rights, Japan
Argentina makes progress as Sarmiento becomes president
1868
Government, Argentina
Alexander II receives tablet from Baha'u'llah
1868
Religion, Global
Mendeleev presents periodic table of elements to Russian Chemical Society
1869
Science, Russia
In May, transcontinental railroad is joined by golden spike in Utah
1869
Transportation, United States
"The Magpie" by Claude Monet
1869
Arts, France
In November, Suez Canal links Red Sea & Mediterranean--dream of French diplomat
1869
Transportation, Egypt
Pope Pious IX promotes doctrine of papal infallibility
1870
Religion, Italy
Exile of Akka issues epistle to Napoleon III with prophecy of his downfall
1870
Religion, Global
Napoleon III loses empire and united Germany born at the Battle of Sedan
1870
War, France
Deutsche Bank is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1870
Trade, Global
Algerian rising against the French
1871
War, Algeria
William I of Prussia becomes German emperor with Bismarck his chancellor
1871
Government, Germany
Stanley finds Dr. Livingstone in Africa
1871
Culture, Sub-Saharan Africa
French government destroys the 2-month old Commune of Paris
1871
Government, France
Chicago fire burns an area 4 miles long and 3/4 miles wide
1871
Disaster, United States
"Whistler's Mother" by James McNeill Whistler
1871
Arts, United Kingdom
Kimberly-Clark is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1872
Trade, Global
Formation of International Meteorological Organization
1873
Geography, Global
Panic of 1873 triggers economic depression in Europe and North America
1873
Trade, Global
Ulysses S. Grant wins reelection and links the Industrial Revolution to peace
1873
Government, United States
Transatlantic cable connects Brazil and Europe
1874
Telecom, Global
Formation of Universal Postal Union
1874
Telecom, Global
John D. Rockefeller produces 11 million barrels of crude oil in a year
1874
Trade, United States
German Social Democratic Party is unified
1875
Trade, Europe
Dowager Empress Cixi blocks reforms over the next 10 years
1875
Government, China
Toshiba is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1875
Trade, Global
First successful English Channel swim in about 22 hours
1875
Health, Europe
Alexander Graham Bell patents telephone
1876
Invention, United States
General Custer killed at Little Big Horn
1876
War, United States
First complete performance of the Ring Cycle--Wagner's cycle of 4 operas
1876
Arts, Germany
"In a Café" or "L'Absinthe" by Edgar Degas
1876
Arts, France
The first refrigerator ship takes Argentine beef to Europe
1876
Trade, Global
Mark Twain publishes "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"
1876
Arts, United States
Thomas Edison invents phonograph
1877
Invention, United States
"Paris Street in Rainy Weather" by Gustave Caillebotte
1877
Arts, France
Romania gains independence from the Ottoman Empire
1877
Geography, Romania
Thomas Alva Edison invents incandescent light bulb
1878
Invention, United Kingdom
Formation of Kingdom of Bulgaria
1878
Government, Bulgaria
Chevron is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1879
Trade, Global
Chile declares war against Bolivia & Peru over mineral-rich Atacama Desert
1879
War, Chile
British defeated by Zulu forces at Isandhlwana
1879
War, South Africa
"Five O'clock Tea" by Mary Cassatt
1880
Arts, France
France seizes Tunis
1881
War, Tunisia
"Luncheon of the Boating Party" by Pierre-August Renoir
1881
Arts, France
Alexander II the "Great Liberator" is assassinated by the People's Will
1881
Government, Russia
President Garfield, waiting for a train, is assassinated by a fanatic
1881
Government, United States
Britain begins domination of Egypt after bombing and occupying Alexandria
1882
War, United Kingdom
"The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit" by John Singer Sargent
1882
Arts, United Kingdom
"A Bar at the Folies-Bergere" by Edouard Manet
1882
Arts, France
Chinese Restriction Act of 1882 follows California Gold Rush
1882
Human Rights, Global
Volcanic eruption of Krakatoa kills about 35,000 people
1883
Disaster, Indonesia
First automatic machine gun built by Hiram Maxim
1884
Invention, United Kingdom
Leo Tolstoy writes "What I Believe"
1884
Arts, Russia
Frederich Nietzsche publishes Thus Spake Zarathustra in 1883-85
1885
Philosophy, Germany
Khartoum falls to Mahdists and "Chinese" Gordon is killed
1885
War, Sub-Saharan Africa
Karl Benz invents the first modern car
1886
Transportation, Germany
Riots in Haymarket Square after strike against McCormick Harvesting Machine Co.
1886
Trade, United States
Statue of Liberty, a gift from the French, is dedicated
1886
Culture, United States
"A Sunday on La Grande Jatte" by Georges Seurat
1886
Arts, France
Gottlieb Daimler invents petrol engine
1886
Invention, Germany
Coca-Cola is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1886
Trade, Global
Sears is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1886
Trade, Global
Hearst Corporation is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1887
Trade, Global
Kaiser Frederick hates war but dies of cancer 99 days after enthronement
1888
Government, Germany
Slavery abolished in Brazil under the reign of Pedro II, an enlightened king
1888
Human Rights, Brazil
"The Harvest" by Vincent van Gogh
1888
Arts, Netherlands
Eiffel Tower opens as the star attraction of the World Fair
1889
Culture, France
Michelin is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1889
Trade, Global
Nintendo is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1889
Trade, Global
Wounded Knee massacre marks end of wars against Native Americans
1890
War, United States
"The Card Players" by Paul Cezanne
1892
Arts, France
General Electric is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1892
Trade, Global
Antonin Dvorak composes "New World Symphony"
1893
Music, Global
"Fox Hunt" by Winslow Homer
1893
Arts, United States
"The Scream" by Edvard Munch
1893
Arts, Norway
New Zealand is first country in which women can vote in national elections
1893
Human Rights, Austral Realm
Sun Yat-sen forms Revive China Society
1894
Government, China
Lumiere brothers demonstrate the first moving picture show
1895
Invention, France
William Rontgen discovers the usefulness of x-rays in medical diagnosis
1895
Invention, Germany
Olympics reopen in Greece
1896
Peace, Greece
Klondike gold rush begins in Dawson City, Yukon, Canada
1896
Geography, Canada
Alfred Nobel dies and leaves vast fortune to encourage peace and progress
1896
Peace, Sweden
Italian forces lose to Ethiopians at Adowa
1896
War, Ethiopia
Roche is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1896
Trade, Global
Queen Victoria celebrates Diamond Jubilee
1897
Government, United Kingdom
Emile Zola writes "J'accuse!" in newspaper exposing injustice in Dreyfus Affair
1898
Culture, France
Sinking of Maine leads to Spanish-American War and ends Spanish rule in Cuba
1898
War, Cuba
Battle of Omdurman--British get revenge at Khartoum using machine guns
1898
War, Sudan
Fashoda Incident--colonial rivalry between France and England in Sudan
1898
Government, Global
Philippines gains independence from Spain
1898
Geography, Philippines
Puerto Rico gains independence from Spain
1898
Geography, Puerto Rico
Guangxu launches Hundred Days of Reform
1898
Government, China
Marie and Pierre Curie discover radium
1898
Science, France
President William McKinley initiates the Open Door Policy in China
1898
Government, United States
Local Government (Ireland) Act passed power from landlords to elected councils
1898
Government, Ireland
Goodyear is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1898
Trade, Global
PepsiCo is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1898
Trade, Global
Sigmund Freud publishes "The Interpretation of Dreams"
1899
Science, Germany
Count Zeppelin's airship makes its maiden flight in Germany
1900
Transportation, Germany
Max Planck discovers quantum theory
1900
Science, Germany
Boxer's Rebellion in China is xenophobic and anti-modern
1900
War, China
Theodore Roosevelt is a very active president in peace and war
1901
Government, United States
President McKinley assassinated by an anarchist
1901
Government, United States
Marconi's radio transmission begins a new age of communications
1901
Telecom, United Kingdom
Queen Victoria dies at the age of eighty-one--end of the Victorian era
1901
Government, United Kingdom
Caruso, Metropolitan Opera House principal tenor, records voice (gramophone disc)
1902
Invention, United States
3M is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1902
Trade, Global
Ford Motor Company is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1903
Trade, Global
Wright Brothers fly airplane for 59 seconds beginning a new age of transportation
1903
Transportation, United States
United States takes control of Panama Canal construction from the French
1904
Transportation, Americas
Japanese navy defeat the Russian Baltic fleet at the Battle of Tsushima
1905
War, Japan
Soldiers massacre about 1,000 workers at the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg
1905
Government, Russia
Albert Einstein publishes Special Theory of Relativity
1905
Science, Switzerland
Japanese defeat Russians at Battle of Mukden and occupy all of southern Manchuria
1905
War, China
Honeywell is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1906
Trade, Global
Sun Yat-sen leads uprisings against Manchus
1906
War, China
Britain launches HMS Dreadnought to establish its naval supremacy
1906
War, United Kingdom
San Francisco earthquake leaves more than 200,000 homeless
1906
Disaster, United States
United States Immigration Act limits Mexicans, Chinese, and Japanese
1907
Human Rights, United States
Anglo-Persian Oil Company strikes oil in Iran
1908
Earth, Iran
A giant meteorite hits forest in Siberia burning an area 50 miles across
1908
Earth, Russia
General Motors is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1908
Trade, Global
First Ford Model-T rolls off assembly line in Detroit, Michigan.
1908
Transportation, United States
Robert Peary is first to the North Pole
1909
Discovery, Global
Lloyd George asks Parliament to pass "People's Budget"
1909
Government, United Kingdom
Soldiers replace Abdul Hamid with his brother, Mehmed, puppet of Young Turks
1909
Government, Turkey
Dutch complete expansion to control all of Indonesia
1910
War, Indonesia
Japan annexes Korea
1910
War, Korea
English murderer is caught in Canada thanks to trans-Atlantic wireless message
1910
Telecom, Global
President Diaz is overthrown--beginning of Mexican revolution
1910
Government, Mexico
Black & Decker is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1910
Trade, Global
Hitachi is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1910
Trade, Global
Only about 3% of Mexicans own land in 1910
1910
Human Rights, Mexico
IBM is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1911
Trade, Global
Mobil is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1911
Trade, Global
Whirlpool Corp. is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1911
Trade, Global
Amundsen is first to reach South Pole
1911
Discovery, Global
Hiram Bingham discovers Machu Picchu in Peru
1911
Science, Peru
Mongolia gains independence from the Qing Dynasty
1911
Geography, Mongolia
Pu Yi is the last emperor of the Qing dynasty
1912
Government, China
1,517 passengers die as Titanic hits iceberg and sinks on maiden voyage
1912
Disaster, Global
Albania gains independence from the Ottoman Empire
1912
Geography, Albania
Bolsheviks become separate party
1912
Government, Russia
Sun Yat-sen inaugurated president of Provisional Republic of China
1912
Government, China
Sun Yat-sen forced into exile & succeeded by Yuan Shikai
1912
Government, China
Harry Brearley invents stainless steel
1913
Invention, United Kingdom
Niels Bohr discovers structure of the atom
1913
Science, Denmark
Menelik II doubles the size of Ethiopian Empire
1913
Geography, Ethiopia
Suffragette Emily Davidson sacrifices life for cause at Derby horse race
1913
Human Rights, United Kingdom
Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring causes a riot in Paris
1913
Arts, Russia
British and German troops celebrate Christmas with truce in the trenches
1914
Peace, Europe
In June, Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated by Serbian nationalist-- war begins
1914
War, Bosnia-Herzegovina
In August, first military action in World War I--Germany invades Belgium
1914
War, Belgium
Ottoman Empires joins Germany in World War I
1914
War, Turkey
Allies defeat German Army in the First Battle of the Marne or Miracle of the Marne
1914
War, France
Japan issues 21 Demands
1915
War, East Asia
President Woodrow Wilson asks, "Is it in the interest of mankind?"
1915
Government, United States
Turkish massacre of Armenians
1915
War, Middle East
In April, allies land at Gallipoli to execute Churchill's plan to cut off Turkey
1915
War, Turkey
Passenger liner Lusitania sunk by German submarine--a factor drawing U.S. into war
1915
War, Global
Nurse Edith Cavell discovered aiding Belgian soldiers and executed by Germans
1915
War, Belgium
In March, France and Britain sign secret Sykes-Picot agreement
1916
Peace, Global
In February, Germans begin Battle of Verdun in France
1916
War, France
Easter Rising in Dublin is against British rule
1916
War, Ireland
In May, Battle of Jutland in North Sea--both Germany and Britain claimed victory
1916
War, Denmark
In July, Battle of the Somme begins--57,000 British casualties from machine guns
1916
War, France
Rasputin, personal counselor of the Russian Imperial Family, is murdered
1916
Government, Russia
Claude Monet's Water Lilies
1916
Arts, France
BMW is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1916
Trade, Global
Boeing is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1916
Trade, Global
China enters warlord era (1916-1926)
1916
War, China
Brusilov Offensive leads to failure of monarchies in Russia and Austria
1916
War, Ukraine
In November, Bolshevik Revolution begins in St. Petersburg
1917
Government, Russia
Mexican Revolution ends with new constitution
1917
Government, Mexico
Finland gains independence from Russia
1917
Geography, Finland
Balfour Declaration--Britain supports home (not explicitly a state) for Jews
1917
Government, United Kingdom
In April, Lenin arrives at St. Petersburg to lead Russian Revolution
1917
Government, Russia
French ship explodes in Halifax, Nova Scotia
1917
War, Canada
Germany's ill-judged attempt to lure Mexico into war backfires
1917
War, Global
In March, Bolsheviks bargain with Germans at Brest-Litovsk to leave World War I
1918
Peace, Europe
In October, Ottoman rule over Arabs ends as Damascus falls to General Allenby
1918
War, Syria
Armistice signed on November 11 ending World War I
1918
Peace, Europe
In July, Lenin orders the execution of the Tsar Nicholas II and his family
1918
Government, Russia
In November, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates
1918
Government, Germany
Poland gains independence from Russia, Prussia, and Austria
1918
Geography, Poland
Czechoslovakia gains independence from Hungary
1918
Geography, Czech Republic
Woodrow Wilson proposes 14 Points to end war
1918
Peace, Global
Latvia gains independence from the Russian and German Empires
1918
Geography, Latvia
Estonia gains independence from Russian Empire
1918
Geography, Estonia
Lithuania gains independence from Russian and German Empires
1918
Geography, Lithuania
Allies defeat Germans in final offensive at Second Battle of Marne
1918
War, France
Panasonic Corporation is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1918
Trade, Global
Azerbaijan gains independence from the Russian Empire
1918
Geography, Azerbaijan
1918 Spanish flu pandemic
1918
Health, Global
Cummins is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1919
Trade, Global
Threatened by Allies, Germany is forced to accept Treaty of Versailles
1919
Peace, Global
"The Second Coming" composed by Irish poet W. B. Yeats
1919
Arts, United Kingdom
Afghanistan gains independence from the United Kingdom
1919
Geography, Afghanistan
Spartacus Week--Freikorps soldiers in Berlin defeat Bolshevik-inspired revolt
1919
Government, Germany
Amritsar massacre--British open fire on Indian demonstrators killing hundreds
1919
War, India
Eddington photos of solar eclipse confirm Einstein's Theory of General Relativity
1919
Science, United Kingdom
Alcock and Brown are first to fly across Atlantic Ocean nonstop
1919
Transportation, Global
On November 11, allied countries begin observing silent tribute (Armistice Day)
1919
Peace, Global
18th Amendment to American Constitution--Prohibition era begins and lasts 13 years
1920
Government, United States
Early radio broadcasting
1920
Telecom, Global
Gandhi leads Satyagraha campaigns (civil disobedience) in India
1920
Government, India
League of Nations forms in Paris
1920
Peace, Global
Women gain vote in United States
1920
Human Rights, United States
Treaty of Trianon establishes Hungary's current borders
1920
Government, Hungary
Poland defeats Red Army at Battle of Warsaw to stop spread of Communism
1920
War, Poland
Ludwig Wittgenstein publishes Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus in 1921
1921
Philosophy, United Kingdom
Founding of Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
1921
Government, China
BBC World Service launches as international news service
1922
Telecom, Global
Britain ends protectorate over Egypt and Sultan Fuad I becomes King of Egypt
1922
Government, Egypt
T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land is published
1922
Arts, United Kingdom
James Joyce's Ulysses published
1922
Arts, United Kingdom
Mussolini comes to power with fascist propaganda--the "March on Rome"
1922
Government, Middle East
Soviet Union (USSR)--Russians recreate old tsarist Empire minus Poland & Finland
1922
Government, Russia
In Anglo-Irish Treaty, Ireland gains independence and splits into North and South
1922
Geography, Europe
Howard Carter discovers Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Luxor
1922
Science, Egypt
Over 3 million homes in Yokohama and Tokyo destroyed by earthquake & tsunami
1923
Disaster, Japan
The German mark becomes worthless because of hyperinflation
1923
Trade, Germany
The Republic of Turkey proclaimed (independence from the Ottoman Empire)
1923
Geography, Turkey
Disney is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1923
Trade, Global
Delta Air Lines is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1924
Trade, Global
Caliphate abolished
1924
Religion, Turkey
Stalin rises to power
1924
Government, Russia
Ibn Saud captures Mecca--foundation for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia formed in 1932
1924
Government, Saudi Arabia
King George V gives first of annual king's speeches broadcast on radio
1924
Telecom, United Kingdom
Edwin Hubble publishes his discoveries of other galaxies
1925
Science, United States
Trial held to test right of John Scopes to teach evolution in Tennessee schools
1925
Education, United States
Hitler publishes Mein Kampf
1925
Government, Germany
World population reaches 2 billion
1925
Geography, Global
Caterpillar Inc. is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1925
Trade, Global
Sun Yat-sen dies and Chiang K'ai-shek rises to power
1925
Government, China
Chiang K'ai-shek begins Northern Expedition (1926-1927)
1926
War, China
Robert Goddard launches first liquid-fuel rocket
1926
Transportation, United States
John Logie Baird gives first demonstration of television
1926
Telecom, United Kingdom
In May 3-12, first & last British general strike--2.5 million workers stop working
1926
Trade, United Kingdom
Chiang K'ai-shek attacks CCP--surviving Communists flee & establish Red Army
1927
War, China
Chiang K'ai-shek establishes Nationalist government in Nanjing
1927
Government, China
Marriott is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1927
Trade, Global
Motorola is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1928
Trade, Global
Chiang K'ai-shek attacks CCP base area & Mao Zedong starts "people's war"
1928
War, China
Disney Studio produces Mickey Mouse in first synchronized sound cartoon
1928
Arts, Global
Sir Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin as the first antibiotic
1928
Health, United Kingdom
Wall Street stock market crash and beginning of Great Depression
1929
Trade, United States
Gandhi's Salt March defies British Raj that forces Indians to buy government salt
1930
Government, India
South Africa gains independence from the United Kingdom
1931
Geography, South Africa
Empire State Building opens in New York as the world's tallest building
1931
Architecture, United States
The Manchurian Incident--Japanese soldiers invade and occupy Manchuria
1931
War, China
Bridgestone is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1931
Trade, Global
United Airlines is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1931
Trade, Global
Rockefeller Foundation funds All-India School of Hygiene and Public Health
1932
Health, Global
Siam becomes constitutional monarchy and changes name to Thailand
1932
Government, Thailand
Aldous Huxley's Brave New World published
1932
Arts, United Kingdom
Ibn Saud unites the four regions of Saudi Arabia into a single state
1932
War, Saudi Arabia
The kingdom of Iraq was granted independence by Britain in 1932
1932
Geography, Middle East
President Roosevelt launches New Deal
1933
Government, United States
Roosevelt's inaugural address: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
1933
Government, United States
In February, burning of Reichstag in Berlin helps Nazis spread fear of communists
1933
Government, Germany
In January, Hitler appointed chancellor of Germany with weak democracy & economy
1933
Government, Germany
Nissan is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1933
Trade, Global
Chiang K'ai-shek forces Red Army out of South China
1934
War, China
Hitler takes control after murder of rivals (June) & death of Hindenburg (August)
1934
Government, Germany
Mussolini's forces invade Ethiopia--Addis Ababa falls and Haile Selassie flees
1935
War, Ethiopia
Red Army under Mao Zedong finishes one-year Long March to Yenan
1935
War, China
Robert Watson-Watt invents radar to detect aircraft
1935
Telecom, United Kingdom
Wallace Carothers invents nylon
1935
Invention, United States
Fujitsu is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1935
Trade, Global
Ricoh is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1936
Trade, Global
Ford Foundation launches as private foundation to advance human welfare
1936
Peace, Global
Japan signs Anti-Comintern Pact with Nazi Germany
1936
War, Japan
Stalin begins trials & purges with convictions based on confessions under pressure
1936
Government, Russia
General Franco decides to join revolt called by General Mola
1936
War, Spain
Jesse Owens wins four gold medals at Olympics hosted by Hitler Germany
1936
Culture, Global
King Edward VIII abdicates to marry Mrs. Simpson
1936
Culture, United Kingdom
In July, Sino-Japanese War begins on Marco Polo bridge south of Beijing
1937
War, East Asia
Franco tries to cover up bombing of Guernica to destroy Basque nationalism
1937
War, Spain
Stalin executes 8 Red Army personnel & later kills or sends to labor camps 30,000
1937
Government, Russia
In December, Japanese invade Shanghai & then commits atrocities in Nanking
1937
War, East Asia
Hindenburg explodes into flames to end the manufacturing of zeppelins (airships)
1937
Transportation, Global
Chiang K'ai-shek forms second united front with CCP
1937
War, China
Canon Inc. is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1937
Trade, Global
Toyota is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1937
Trade, Global
Volkswagen is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1937
Trade, Global
UK, France & Italy sign the Munich Agreement: Germany annexes west Czechoslovakia
1938
War, Europe
Guomindang government retreats to Chongquing--supplied through Burma Road
1938
War, China
In March, Hitler defies Treaty of Versailles to form Germany/Austria Anschluss
1938
War, Germany
In November, Nazi gangs attack Jewish communities in Germany & Austria
1938
Human Rights, Europe
Otto Hahn detects nuclear fission after bombarding uranium with neutrons
1938
Science, Germany
Mexico nationalizes oil
1938
Government, Mexico
In September, Hitler & Russia invade Poland and bring Britain & France into war
1939
War, Poland
Gone with the Wind, a Hollywood blockbuster movie, is released
1939
Movies, United States
General Franco enters Madrid and ends civil war
1939
War, Spain
In August, Germany & Russia sign 10-year nonaggression pact
1939
Peace, Europe
In March, Hitler invades Prague
1939
War, Czech Republic
Einstein warns President Roosevelt that nuclear weapons are threat to humanity
1939
War, United States
Russian army defeats Japanese in undeclared border war at Khalkhin Gol
1939
War, Mongolia
Hewlett-Packard is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1939
Trade, Global
In September, Japan enters war by invading northern Indochina
1940
War, Japan
In May, Churchill becomes Prime Minister of National Government
1940
Government, United Kingdom
Stone Age cave art discovered in Lascaux, France
1940
Science, France
Trotsky is assassinated near Mexico City by one of Stalin's agents
1940
Government, Mexico
In December, London suffers from heaviest bombing of the war
1940
War, United Kingdom
In June, Nazis capture Paris without opposition
1940
War, France
In May, British forces evacuated from continent at Dunkirk
1940
War, France
In May, Germany invades Holland and Belgium with Blitzkrieg
1940
War, Europe
In June, Hitler attacks Russia with 4 million soldiers to destroy Soviet Union
1941
War, Russia
In May, enigma machine captured from sinking submarine helps Allies win war
1941
War, United Kingdom
In September, seige of Leningrad (St. Petersburg) begins
1941
War, Russia
In December, Japanese attack Pearl Harbor destroying part of the U.S. fleet
1941
War, United States
In September, Nazis kill about 34,000 Jews of Kiev in the massacre at Babi Yar
1941
Human Rights, Europe
Hitler's deputy, Rudolph Hess, flies to Britain with a peace proposal
1941
Peace, Europe
Flying Tigers supply Chiang's army by air (1941-1942)
1941
War, China
From September-December, Germans fail to capture Moscow at Battle of Moscow
1941
War, Russia
Albert Camus publishes "The Stranger"
1942
Philosophy, France
In October, Nazis launch the first V-2 rockets to strike Antwerp and London
1942
War, Europe
In June, U.S. Navy defeats Japanese in the Pacific at Battle of Midway
1942
War, Pacific Islands
In February, humiliated British surrender to weakened Japanese in Singapore
1942
War, Singapore
In January, Nazis adopt mass killing as "final solution to Jewish problem"
1942
War, Europe
Enrico Fermi builds first nuclear reactor
1942
Invention, United States
Japanese occupy Indonesia
1942
War, Indonesia
Allies defeat Italy
1943
War, Europe
Lebanon gains independence from France
1943
Geography, Lebanon
In July, Soviets repel Blitzkrieg at Battle of Kursk involving about 6,000 tanks
1943
War, Russia
In February, Hitler protests but German army surrenders at Stalingrad (Volgograd)
1943
War, Russia
Jean-Paul Sartre writes "Being and Nothingness"
1943
Philosophy, France
Japan withdrawals troops from Guadalcanal in February 1943
1943
War, Japan
IKEA is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1943
Trade, Global
Wendell Willkie publishes "One World"
1943
Peace, Global
Bretton Woods Agreement establishes monetary rules for independent states
1944
Trade, Global
Kia Motors is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1944
Trade, Global
US forces begin landing on Saipan in Mariana Islands
1944
War, Japan
In August, Paris is liberated as the German army is retreating from Normandy
1944
War, Europe
In January, seige lifts on Leningrad the "Hero City of the Soviet Union"
1944
War, Russia
In June, more than 125,000 troops (American, British & Canadian) invade Normandy
1944
War, Europe
In July, plot to assassinate Hitler with a bomb at Wolf's Lair headquarters fails
1944
War, Germany
Anne Frank & her Jewish family are discovered hiding in Amsterdam office building
1944
Human Rights, Netherlands
Belarus gains independence from German occupation
1944
Geography, Belarus
First combat use of jet aircraft
1944
Transportation, Germany
Igor Sikorsky develops the first mass-produced helicopter
1944
Transportation, United States
Iceland forms foundation of republic
1944
Government, Iceland
Vietnam gains independence from France
1945
Geography, Vietnam
Potsdam Conference
1945
Peace, Europe
Indonesia's Declaration of Independence
1945
Government, Indonesia
Korea separated into North and South at 38th parallel in 1945
1945
Government, Korea
On August 6, a nuclear bomb destroys the city of Hiroshima
1945
War, Japan
In July, Churchill was voted out as Prime Minister in Labour landslide
1945
Government, United Kingdom
In July in the desert of New Mexico, a nuclear bomb was tested for the first time
1945
Invention, United States
On April 30, Hitler commits suicide as Allies enter Berlin
1945
War, Germany
In January, Red Army advancing into Poland finds killing factories of Holocaust
1945
War, Poland
On April 12, Franklin Delano Roosevelt dies
1945
Government, United States
On October 24, the United Nations is born to prevent a third world war
1945
Peace, Global
In February, Marines raise United States flag on Japanese soil in Iwo Jima
1945
War, Pacific Islands
On February 14, Dresden, almost untouched by bombing so far, is razed in firestorm
1945
War, Germany
In February, Allied leaders meet at Yalta to consult on postwar future of Europe
1945
Peace, Europe
More than 1 million Filipino noncombatants killed during Second World War
1945
War, Philippines
In April through June, Americans fight and win Battle of Okinawa
1945
War, Pacific Islands
Japan surrenders after a second atomic bomb destroys Nagasaki on August 9
1945
War, Japan
Bic is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1945
Trade, Global
Mattel is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1945
Trade, Global
Eva Peron meets Juan Peron in Buenos Aires
1945
Government, Argentina
Honda is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1946
Trade, Global
SAS is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1946
Trade, Global
Sony is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1946
Trade, Global
Melvin Calvin discovers photosynthesis
1946
Science, United States
Japan renounces war in Article 9 of new constitution
1946
Peace, Japan
Kennan's "long telegram" becomes the basis for US foreign policy with the USSR
1946
War, Global
Mao Zedong & Chiang K'ai-shek talk peace, but prepare for war
1946
War, China
Churchill gives his famous "Iron Curtain Speech" in Fulton, Missouri
1946
War, United States
Jewish terrorists bomb the King David hotel--persuades British to leave Palestine
1946
War, Israel
Nuremberg War Trials--Goring commits suicide but 10 other leaders are hanged
1946
Human Rights, Europe
Juan Peron, accompanied by his popular wife Evita, becomes president of Argentina
1946
Government, Argentina
United Nations General Assembly meets for the first time
1946
Peace, Global
Syria gains independence from French Mandate of Syria
1946
Geography, Syria
Jordan gains independence from the United Kingdom
1946
Geography, Jordan
Pakistan gains independence from the United Kingdom
1947
Geography, Pakistan
U.S. announces Marshall Plan for recovery of Europe
1947
Peace, Europe
Three scientists at Bell Telephone Laboratories develop the first transistor
1947
Telecom, United States
First Dead Seas Scrolls are discovered in Qumran caves
1947
Religion, Israel
End of the British Raj--but new country divided by Hindu Congress & Muslim League
1947
Government, India
Afrikaner National Party wins elections in South Africa--white supremacy rules
1948
Human Rights, South Africa
A ship with 492 Jamaican immigrants arrives in England
1948
Culture, United Kingdom
Allied airlift to Berlin counters Soviet blockade & allows democratic West Germany
1948
War, Germany
Universal Declaration of Human Rights is proclaimed by United Nations
1948
Human Rights, Global
National Health Service is born to provide free health care in Britain
1948
Health, United Kingdom
Republic of South Korea created in 1948
1948
Government, Korea
Sri Lanka gains independence from the United Kingdom
1948
Geography, Sri Lanka
Myanmar gains independence from the United Kingdom
1948
Geography, Myanmar
Mahatma Gandhi assassinated by Hindu fanatic
1948
Government, India
State of Israel is born
1948
Geography, Middle East
Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" begins in 1948 (not published in French until 1952)
1948
Arts, France
After years of civil war, Communists seize power after Huaihai Campaign
1948
War, China
Adidas is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1949
Trade, Global
USSR explodes first atomic weapon
1949
War, Global
Japanese war criminals on trial--General Tojo and others executed
1949
Human Rights, Japan
Taiwan becomes Republic of China after Nationalists lose war with Communists
1949
Government, Taiwan
President Sukarno is first president of Indonesia
1949
Government, Indonesia
Maoist revolution creates People's Republic of China, second communist state
1949
Government, China
Formation of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
1949
Peace, Global
People's Republic of China claims sovereignty over Tibet
1950
War, China
North Korea invades South Korea--UN Security Council asks members to oppose
1950
War, Korea
Senator McCarthy launches crusade to rid United States of communists
1950
Government, United States
First UN military action successful in defeating North Korea at Battle of Inchon
1950
War, Korea
Mao Zedong signs treaty of friendship with Joseph Stalin
1950
Peace, China
Land reform extends nationwide in rural China
1950
Government, China
Soviet spy scandal--"Cambridge Spies" Burgess and MacLean defect to Soviet Union
1951
War, Russia
Libya gains independence from Italy
1951
Geography, Libya
First passenger jet
1952
Transportation, United Kingdom
First hydrogen bomb explodes when tested at Enewetak Atoll in the Pacific Ocean
1952
Invention, United States
Eva Peron dies as does support for her husband's presidency in Argentina
1952
Government, Argentina
Japan gains independence from American military occupation
1952
Geography, Japan
London smog reaches critical level
1952
Disaster, United Kingdom
Nasser leads Revolutionary Command Council (RCC) in Egyptian coup
1952
Government, Egypt
UN General Assembly gives permanent status to UNICEF
1953
Peace, Global
People's Republic of China starts 5-year economic plan with Soviet advice & money
1953
Government, China
Millions of Russians mourn Stalin's death--his infallibility myth unveiled later
1953
Government, Russia
Watson and Crick discover structure of DNA
1953
Invention, Global
East Germans strike against communist regime--leads to brain drain & Berlin Wall
1953
War, Germany
CIA-engineered coup in Iran--Mossadeq ejected & oil company returned to Britain
1953
War, Iran
Laos gains independence from France
1953
Geography, Laos
Cambodia gains independence from France
1953
Geography, Cambodia
French lose to communists in Vietnam and United States is drawn into the conflict
1954
War, Vietnam
Roger Bannister is first person to run mile in less than 4 minutes
1954
Health, United Kingdom
McCarthy is condemned by U.S. Senate as vicious bully and liar
1954
Government, United States
First birth control pill
1954
Health, Global
First nuclear-powered submarines launched
1954
Invention, United States
Algeria battles for independence
1954
War, Algeria
Warsaw Pact signed
1955
Peace, Russia
Austria signs Declaration of Neutrality
1955
Peace, Austria
James Dean, star in East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause & Giant, dies in car crash
1955
Movies, United States
The first Disneyland opens in Anaheim, California
1955
Culture, United States
Rosa Parks sits in the front of the bus--the end of bus segregation in the U.S.
1955
Human Rights, United States
Mickey Mouse Club airs on TV from 1955 through 1996
1955
Culture, United States
McDonald's is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1955
Trade, Global
Sudan gains independence from Anglo-Egyptian Rule
1956
Geography, Sudan
Nikita Khrushchev declares to Western ambassadors, "We will bury you."
1956
Government, Russia
China completes economic transition to socialism
1956
Government, China
Mao Zedong introduces Hundred Flowers campaign
1956
Government, China
Ravi Shankar begins tour of Europe and America playing Indian classical music
1956
Music, India
American Bandstand on TV hosted by Dick Clark from 1956-1989
1956
Culture, United States
Morocco gains independence from France and Spain
1956
Geography, Morocco
Tunisia gains independence from France
1956
Geography, Tunisia
Hungary revolts against Soviet rule in October and is crushed in November
1956
War, Hungary
In July, Nasser nationalizes Suez Canal, provoking conflict with Britain & France
1956
War, Middle East
Khrushchev denounces Stalin as guilty of crimes against Russians
1956
Government, Russia
Ghana gains independence from Britain as European scramble for Africa begins
1957
Geography, Ghana
Soviets are the first into outer space as they launch Sputnik into orbit
1957
Invention, Russia
Treaty of Rome creates European Economic Community--first step to free trade
1957
Trade, Europe
Malaysia gains independence from the United Kingdom
1957
Geography, Malaysia
Mao Zedong announces "Great Leap Forward" to industrialize China
1958
Government, China
Kenneth Masterman-Smith invents communications satellite
1958
Invention, United States
Guinea-Conakry gains independence from France
1958
Geography, Guinea
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin publishes "The Phenomenon of Man"
1959
Philosophy, France
Crown Prince Akihito and Michiko marry before television audience of 15 million
1959
Government, Japan
Cubans welcome Castro's army into Havana & Castro becomes Prime Minister
1959
War, Cuba
Dalai Lama flees Tibet and is forced into exile in India
1959
War, China
Alaska and Hawaii become 49th and 50th U.S. states
1959
Geography, United States
OPEC formed
1960
Trade, Middle East
Soviet-Chinese alliance dissolves
1960
Government, Russia
Democratic Republic of the Congo gains independence from Belgium
1960
Geography, DR Congo
Somalia gains independence from Italy and Britain
1960
Geography, Somalia
Nigeria gains independence from the United Kingdom
1960
Geography, Nigeria
World population reaches 3 billion
1960
Geography, Global
Willard F. Libby wins Nobel Prize in chemistry for developing Carbon-14 dating
1960
Invention, United States
Laser invented
1960
Invention, United States
Jury decides that Lady Chatterley's Lover is not obscene & no crime in printing it
1960
Arts, United Kingdom
In March, South African massacre at Sharpeville is condemned by world leaders
1960
Human Rights, South Africa
In February, Macmillan challenges South African Parliament to change policy
1960
Human Rights, Global
Madagascar gains independence from France
1960
Geography, Madagascar
Mali gains independence from France
1960
Geography, Mali
Cyprus gains independence from the United Kingdom
1960
Geography, Cyprus
Benin (Dahomey) gains independence from France
1960
Geography, Benin
Congo-Brazzaville gains independence from France
1960
Geography, Congo
Niger gains independence from France
1960
Geography, Niger
Senegal gains independence from France
1960
Geography, Senegal
Burkina Faso (Upper Volta) gains independence from France
1960
Geography, Burkina Faso
Cameroon gains independence from France
1960
Geography, Cameroon
Chad gains independence from France
1960
Geography, Chad
Ivory Coast gains independence from France
1960
Geography, Ivory Coast
Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBs) begin to be developed
1960
Invention, Global
Central African Republic gains independence from France
1960
Geography, Central African Rep.
Arnold J. Toynbee completes "A Study of History"
1961
Philosophy, United Kingdom
Peace Corp established by executive order of President John F. Kennedy
1961
Peace, Global
Sierra Leone gains independence from United Kingdom
1961
Geography, Sierra Leone
Tanzania gains independence from the United Kingdom
1961
Geography, Tanzania
Kuwait gains independence from the United Kingdom
1961
Geography, Kuwait
Dag Hammarskjold, United Nations leader, dies after plane explodes in Zambia
1961
Peace, Global
Bob Dylan's debut in New York City leads to contract with Columbia Records
1961
Music, United States
Khrushchev begins building Berlin Wall to keep East Germans in
1961
War, Germany
U.S. supports failed invasion of Cuba at Bay of Pigs
1961
War, Americas
Soviets lead the space race with the first man (Yuri Gagarin) launched into orbit
1961
Transportation, Russia
Israeli court tries Eichmann for war crimes
1961
Human Rights, Israel
South Africa leaves British Commonwealth
1961
Geography, South Africa
Jamaica and British West Indies gain independence
1962
Geography, Middle America
President Kennedy deals with Cuban Missile Crisis
1962
War, Global
Telstar I enables the first television transmitted by orbiting satellite
1962
Telecom, Global
Saudi Arabia abolishes slavery
1962
Human Rights, Saudi Arabia
Pope John XXIII urges reform in Second Vatican Council
1962
Religion, Italy
Rwanda gains independence from Belgium
1962
Geography, Rwanda
Silent Spring published
1962
Earth, United States
The movie "Lawrence of Arabia" released
1962
Movies, Global
Samoa gains independence from New Zealand
1962
Geography, Samoa
Algeria gains independence from France
1962
Geography, Algeria
Uganda gains independence from United Kingdom
1962
Geography, Uganda
Wal-Mart is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1962
Trade, Global
The Universal House of Justice is elected for the first time
1963
Government, Global
Kenya gains independence from the United Kingdom
1963
Geography, Kenya
President Kennedy powerful speech in Berlin ends Soviet's plan to dominate city
1963
War, Germany
Ruby shoots Oswald in Dallas in front of a television audience of millions
1963
Government, United States
Valentina Tereshkova is the first female astronaut
1963
Transportation, Russia
Martin Luther King Jr. gives "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial
1963
Human Rights, United States
Organization of African Unity founded
1963
Government, Sub-Saharan Africa
On November 22, John F. Kennedy assassinated
1963
Government, United States
The Beatles perform live on The Ed Sullivan Show in the United States
1964
Music, United Kingdom
Mandela found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment
1964
Human Rights, South Africa
Pope Paul VI embraces the Patriarch, Athenagoras I, in Jerusalem
1964
Religion, Global
Zambia gains independence from the United Kingdom
1964
Geography, Zambia
Malta gains independence from the United Kingdom
1964
Geography, Malta
"Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
1964
Movies, Global
Prime Minister Sato begins 8-year term of office
1964
Government, Japan
Malawi gains independence from United Kingdom
1964
Geography, Malawi
Nike, Inc. is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1964
Trade, Global
The movie "Doctor Zhivago" released
1965
Movies, Global
Malcolm X is assassinated after embracing Sunni Islam and renouncing racism
1965
Religion, United States
Singapore gains independence from Malaysia
1965
Geography, Singapore
President Johnson sets course toward Great Society in State of the Union address
1965
Government, United States
U.S. strikes North Vietnam with bombing campaign that lasts for 3 years
1965
War, Vietnam
White-minority Rhodesia's declaration of independence provokes British sanctions
1965
Government, Global
A parliamentary messenger kills South African Prime Minister Verwoerd
1966
Human Rights, South Africa
Mao launches Cultural Revolution pitting the zealous youth against bourgeois ideas
1966
Government, China
Botswana gains independence from the United Kingdom
1966
Geography, Botswana
Barbados gains independence from the United Kingdom
1966
Geography, Barbados
The movie "Hawaii" released
1966
Movies, Global
Guyana gains independence from the United Kingdom
1966
Geography, Guyana
The movie "The Graduate" released
1967
Movies, United States
Yemen gains independence from the United Kingdom
1967
Geography, Yemen
Nigerian civil war: Christians form Biafra to break away from Muslims in north
1967
War, Nigeria
Communist hero Che Guevara is hunted down and shot in Bolivia
1967
War, Bolivia
South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard performs 1st successful heart transplant
1967
Health, South Africa
Israel defeats Egypt, Jordan, and Syria in Six-Day War
1967
War, Middle East
Soviet army enters Czechoslovakia to suppress reforms of Dubcek's government
1968
War, Europe
Apollo 8 mission takes first photograph of Earth from distant space
1968
Transportation, Global
Pope Paul VI's Humanae Vitae condemns all forms of artificial birth control
1968
Religion, Italy
In June, Senator Robert Kennedy is assassinated by a Palestinian-born immigrant
1968
Government, United States
France paralyzed for 2 weeks by rioting students and striking workers
1968
Government, France
In April, Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated
1968
Human Rights, United States
Tet Offensive disrupts South Vietnam and perceived as a defeat to Americans
1968
War, Vietnam
My Lai Massacre fuels American and international revulsion toward Vietnam War
1968
War, Vietnam
Suharto becomes president
1968
Government, Indonesia
Intel Corporation is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1968
Trade, Global
Paolo Freire publishes "Pedagogy of the Oppressed"
1968
Education, Brazil
Samsung Electronics is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1969
Trade, Global
The movie "Easy Rider" released
1969
Movies, United States
Intel invents microprocessor
1969
Invention, United States
In March 1969, fighting occurs on Sino-Soviet border
1969
War, China
On July 21, American astronauts walk on the moon
1969
Invention, United States
Concorde, a shared project of France & Britain, is the first supersonic airliner
1969
Transportation, Global
Woodstock rock festival is attended by 450,000 youth celebrating peace & love
1969
Music, United States
Apollo 13 aborts mission to land on moon after oxygen tank explodes
1970
Transportation, Global
East Pakistan hit by a cyclone that causes major flooding & 300,000 deaths
1970
Disaster, Pakistan
In Warsaw, German chancellor Willi Brandt kneels in homage to Nazi victims
1970
Human Rights, Europe
Fiji gains independence from the United Kingdom
1970
Geography, Fiji
Sesame Street first airs on Public Television Station (PBS)
1970
Education, United States
The movie "Little Big Man" released
1970
Movies, United States
Airbus Group is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1970
Trade, Global
Tonga becomes independent of Britain
1970
Geography, Tonga
United Arab Emirates becomes independent from Britain
1971
Geography, United Arab Emirates
Fedex Express is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1971
Trade, Global
Starbucks is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1971
Trade, Global
Bahrain gains independence from the United Kingdom
1971
Geography, Bahrain
Qatar gains independence from the United Kingdom
1971
Geography, Qatar
Eastern Pakistan breaks with Western Pakistan to become Bangladesh
1971
Government, Bangladesh
John Lennon and Yoko Ono release the song "Imagine"
1971
Music, Global
British shootings (Bloody Sunday) in Northern Ireland provoke international outcry
1972
War, United Kingdom
Nixon meets Mao in China to ease Cold War tensions
1972
Peace, Global
Arrests follow Watergate break-in--Liddy, Hunt and others are involved in spying
1972
Government, United States
Massacre in Munich--horror & murder in the Olympic Games celebrating peace
1972
War, Germany
Atari is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1972
Trade, Global
UN Conference on the Human Environment (UNCHE) meets in Stockholm
1972
Earth, Global
The movie "Slaughterhouse Five" released
1972
Movies, Global
George Wallace continues his political career after bullet left him paralyzed
1972
Government, United States
Xerox PARC invents personal computer
1973
Invention, United States
Martin Cooper (Motorola) invents mobile phone
1973
Invention, United States
United States & North Vietnam cease fire--North forces allowed to stay in South
1973
War, Global
Arabs strike during Yom Kippur--with U.S. help, Israel victory within 3 weeks
1973
War, Global
Supreme Court legalizes abortion in Roe versus Wade
1973
Human Rights, United States
Augusto Pinochet becomes dictator in coup supported by United States
1973
Government, Chile
OPEC precipitates energy crisis making West pay for supporting Israel
1973
Trade, Global
African colonies gain independence (Guinea-Bissau)
1973
Geography, Sub-Saharan Africa
Alexander Solzhenitsyn publishes in English "The Gulag Archipelago"
1974
Arts, Russia
Nixon forced to resign over Watergate and Gerald Ford succeeds him
1974
Government, United States
Authoritarian government in Portugal overturned by left-wing Carnation Revolution
1974
Government, Portugal
Worldwatch Institute founded by Lester Brown
1974
Earth, Global
British Airways is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1974
Trade, Global
Ethiopian monarchy abolished
1974
Government, Ethiopia
Andrei Sakharov awarded Nobel Peace Prize
1975
Peace, Russia
Microsoft is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1975
Trade, Global
Mozambique gains independence from Portugal
1975
Geography, Mozambique
Allen & Gates start Microsoft to build software for IBM personal computers
1975
Telecom, United States
Spain moves toward democracy as King Juan Carlos I succeeds Franco
1975
Government, Spain
Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge take control in Cambodia
1975
War, Cambodia
Papua New Guinea gains independence from Australia
1975
Geography, Papua New Guinea
Helsinki Accords codify human rights to improve Communist/West relations
1975
Peace, Global
World population reaches 4 billion
1975
Geography, Global
Angola gains independence from Portugal
1975
Geography, Angola
Seychelles gains independence from the United Kingdom
1976
Geography, Seychelles
Soweto uprising in South Africa--school children killed
1976
Human Rights, South Africa
Cultural Revolution ends with arrest of 4 Mao supporters (Gang of 4)
1976
Government, China
Steve Wozniak & Steve Jobs create Apple Inc. to build personal computers
1976
Telecom, United States
Israeli commandos defeat hostage takers at Entebbe, Uganda
1976
War, Uganda
Mao Zedong dies after naming Hua Guofeng his successor
1976
Government, China
Apple is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1976
Trade, Global
Costco is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1976
Trade, Global
Oracle Corporation is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1977
Trade, Global
Amnesty International wins Nobel Peace Prize
1977
Peace, Global
Menachem Begin becomes Prime Minister in 1977
1977
Government, Israel
Smallpox eradicated through vaccination
1977
Health, Global
Centre Pompidou arts center opens in Paris
1977
Architecture, France
First episode of George Lucas's "Star Wars" opens in movie theaters
1977
Movies, Global
Steve Biko, anti-apartheid activist, dies in police custody in South Africa
1977
Human Rights, South Africa
"Roots" shown on TV as a miniseries
1977
Movies, United States
Djibouti gains independence from France
1977
Geography, Djibouti
Begin & Sadat sign Camp David Accords hosted by President Carter
1978
Peace, Middle East
Jim Jones leads followers to mass suicide at Jonestown, Guyana
1978
Religion, Americas
Deng Xiaoping has political comeback & supports free speech at Democracy Wall
1978
Government, China
Kiribati becomes independent of Britain
1979
Geography, Kiribati
Breakdown at Three Mile Island raises doubts about nuclear power plants
1979
Earth, United States
Margaret Thatcher is first woman elected Prime Minister of United Kingdom
1979
Government, United Kingdom
Pope John Paul II, the first Polish pope, returns home to 2 million cheering Poles
1979
Religion, Poland
Ayatollah Khomeini returns to lead Iranian revolution
1979
Religion, Iran
Soviet Union invades Afghanistan to assist a pro-Soviet party opposed by Muslims
1979
War, Middle East
U.S. hostage crisis in Iran after Ayatollah Khomeini takes power
1979
War, Middle East
Sandinistas take power in Nicaragua
1979
War, Nicaragua
Education is very important in South Korea
1980
Government, Korea
Lech Walesa creates Solidarity and leads strikes in Gdansk shipyard
1980
Human Rights, Poland
Zimbabwe led by Robert Mugabe gains independence from the United Kingdom
1980
Geography, Zimbabwe
Vanuatu gains independence from the United Kingdom and France
1980
Geography, Vanuatu
CNN launches global news service
1980
Telecom, Global
Chinese government authorizes decollectivization of agriculture
1980
Government, China
China creates Four Special Economic Zones along southeast coast
1980
Trade, China
Phillips Electronics (Netherlands) & Sony Corporation (Japan) invent compact disc
1980
Invention, Japan
Cruise missiles are deployed for first time
1980
Invention, Global
AIDS identified
1981
Health, Global
IBM releases first personal computer with 8088 CPU, floppy disc & 64 KB of RAM
1981
Invention, Global
Argentina's military junta invades Falkland Islands & Britain sends naval force
1982
War, Global
Massacre in Beirut by Christian Lebanese after Israeli invasion 3 months earlier
1982
War, Middle East
The movie "Gandhi" released
1982
Movies, Global
Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder release "Ebony and Ivory"
1982
Music, Global
Helmut Kohl oversees end of Cold War and reunification of Germany
1982
Government, Germany
John Paul II visits Nicaragua to support archbishop against "liberation theology"
1983
Religion, Nicaragua
The movie "WarGames" released
1983
Movies, Global
Europeans protest decision to place U.S. "Pershing 2" cruise missiles in Europe
1983
War, Europe
Lebanese Shi'a suicide bombers in Beirut kill U.S. Marines & French paratroopers
1983
War, Lebanon
"Star Wars" initiative--Reagan proposes to launch missiles from outer space
1983
War, United States
In October, Indira Gandhi assassinated by 2 Sikh members of her bodyguard
1984
Religion, India
In June, Golden Temple, sacred Sikh shrine in Amritsar, is stormed by Indian army
1984
Religion, India
In December, methyl isocyanate from Union Carbide plant kills thousands in Bhopal
1984
Disaster, India
The movie "The Killing Fields" released
1984
Movies, Global
1984-1985 famine in Ethiopia
1984
Disaster, Ethiopia
AIDS epidemic begins in Africa
1984
Health, Sub-Saharan Africa
The movie "Amadeus" released
1984
Movies, Global
Lenovo is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1984
Trade, Global
Mikhail Gorbachev takes power and starts reforms
1985
Government, Russia
The movie "Out of Africa" released
1985
Movies, Global
British miners end 51 week strike and admit defeat
1985
Human Rights, United Kingdom
France's nuclear testing program abandoned after sinking of Rainbow Warrior
1985
War, France
Challenger Space shuttle explodes after takeoff killing 7 astronauts
1986
Transportation, United States
Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme is killed by unknown assassin
1986
Government, Sweden
Reagan's retaliation--U.S. bombs Libya
1986
War, Libya
Chernobyl nuclear plant explodes, releasing radioactive particles into atmosphere
1986
Earth, Ukraine
In December, 1986, student demonstrations support democracy
1986
Government, China
The movie "Good Morning, Vietnam" released
1987
Movies, Global
Ozone hole banned by successful international agreement
1987
Earth, Global
Gorbachev, introducing perestroika & glasnost, battles for Communist Party
1987
Government, Russia
Defiance in the streets--Palestinian Intifada begins in the Jabalia refugee camp
1987
War, Israel
The movie "The Last Emperor" released
1987
Movies, Global
New York Stock Market crash
1987
Trade, United States
World population reaches 5 billion
1987
Geography, Global
South Korea hosts 1988 Summer Olympics
1988
Government, Korea
Libyan terrorist identified as bomber of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie
1988
War, Libya
Iraq uses chemical weapons on Kurdish population in Halabja
1988
War, Iraq
Ayatollah Khomeini orders assassination of Salman Rushdie for The Satanic Verses
1989
Religion, Iran
Playwright and dissident Vaclav Havel elected by Czech Parliament first president
1989
Government, Czech Republic
Exxon Valdez spills 11 million gallons of oil after ship hits reef off Alaska
1989
Earth, United States
Citizens of Baltic Republics join hands in chain for freedom to end Soviet rule
1989
Peace, Europe
Berlin Wall falls--after reforms of Gorbachev, East Germany collapses
1989
Government, Russia
Tiananmen Square massacre dims hope of demonstrators for democracy in China
1989
Government, China
"Born on the Fourth of July" released
1989
Movies, Global
Tim Berners-Lee invents World Wide Web
1990
Invention, United Kingdom
Nelson Mandela is freed and end of apartheid is in sight
1990
Human Rights, South Africa
Gorbachev agrees to Conventional Forces Treaty effectively ending the Cold War
1990
Peace, Global
Iraq invades Kuwait and seizes oil reserves--invasion condemned by U.N.
1990
War, Kuwait
Hubble space telescope launched as project of Europe and United States
1990
Science, Global
Namibia gains independence from South Africa
1990
Geography, Namibia
Slovenia gains independence from Yugoslavia
1990
Geography, Slovenia
"Dances with Wolves" released
1990
Movies, Global
Croatia gains independence from SFR Yugoslavia
1991
Geography, Croatia
Kazakhstan gains independence from the Soviet Union
1991
Geography, Kazakhstan
Uzbekistan gains independence from the Soviet Union
1991
Geography, Uzbekistan
Macedonia gains independence from Yugoslavia
1991
Geography, Macedonia
Georgia gains independence from Soviet Union
1991
Geography, Georgia
Moldova gains independence from the Soviet Union
1991
Geography, Moldova
Kyrgyzstan gains independence from the Soviet Union
1991
Geography, Kyrgyzstan
Iraqis ousted from Kuwait by coalition forces in Operation Desert Storm
1991
War, Global
Yugoslavia collapses as Croatia and Slovenia declare independence
1991
Geography, Balkan States
Coalition forces aid Kurds who had fled north to mountains in middle of winter
1991
Peace, Global
Leaders of Belarus, Ukraine & Russia announce that Soviet Union no longer exists
1991
Geography, Russia
North Korea and South Korea join the United Nations
1991
Government, Korea
Ukraine gains independence from Soviet Union
1991
Geography, Ukraine
First McDonald's restaurant opens in Beijing
1991
Culture, China
Tajikistan gains independence from the Soviet Union
1991
Geography, Tajikistan
Turkmenistan becomes independent from the Soviet Union
1991
Geography, Turkmenistan
ING Group is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1991
Trade, Global
Indigenous people of Latin America mourn the 500-year anniversary of Columbus
1992
Human Rights, Americas
Yitzhak Rabin becomes Prime Minister in 1974 and 1992
1992
Government, Israel
United Nations "Earth Summit" meets in Rio
1992
Earth, Global
Deng Xiaoping travels on Southern Tour to get support for reforms
1992
Government, China
Second Baha'i World Congress held in New York City
1992
Religion, United States
Slovakia gains independence from Czechoslovakia
1992
Geography, Slovakia
Bosnia-Herzegovina gains independence from Soc. Fed. Rep. of Yugoslavia
1992
Geography, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Oslo Agreement--prospects for peace between PLO and Israel
1993
Peace, Global
"Heaven and Earth" released
1993
Movies, Global
"Schindler's List" released
1993
Movies, Global
"Gettysburg" released
1993
Movies, United States
Maastricht Treaty establishes European Union
1993
Trade, Europe
Ethiopia fails to keep Eritrea from breaking away
1993
Geography, Ethiopia
Zhu Rongji becomes economic czar & applies breaks to overheated economy
1993
Government, China
"Philadelphia" released
1993
Movies, United States
"Stalingrad" released
1993
Movies, Global
Battle of Mogadishu
1993
War, Somalia
Eritrea becomes independent from Ethiopia
1993
Geography, Eritrea
World Trade Organization replaces GATT to regulate international trade
1994
Trade, Global
Shimon Peres, Israeli Prime Minister in 1984 and 1995, receives Nobel Peace Prize
1994
Government, Israel
"Immortal Beloved" released
1994
Movies, Global
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) established
1994
Trade, Americas
Rwandan genocide of Tutsis follows assassination of president
1994
Human Rights, Rwanda
Democracy triumphant in South Africa after its first multiracial elections
1994
Human Rights, South Africa
Members of a cult attack Tokyo subway commuters with Sarin, a nerve poison
1995
War, Japan
Thousands of Muslims massacred in Srebrenica, Bosnia by Serbian troops
1995
War, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Right-wing extremists bomb governmental offices in Oklahoma City
1995
War, United States
"Braveheart" released
1995
Movies, Global
"Apollo 13" released
1995
Movies, Global
US Department of Defense invents global positioning system
1995
Invention, United States
UN convenes meeting in Beijing to promote women's rights
1995
Human Rights, Global
Lockheed Martin is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1995
Trade, Global
Sierra Leone Civil War begins in 1996 and ends in 2001
1996
War, Sierra Leone
Al-Jazeera launches as international news service
1996
Telecom, Global
"Evita" released
1996
Movies, Global
"Seven Years in Tibet" released
1997
Movies, Global
Mother Teresa dies at the age of 89
1997
Religion, Global
British return Hong Kong to China
1997
Geography, China
"Dolly" the sheep cloned
1997
Science, United Kingdom
India and Pakistan test nuclear bombs
1998
War, South Asia
First component of International Space Station in orbit
1998
Invention, Global
Suharto resigns
1998
Government, Indonesia
Citigroup is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1998
Trade, Global
Google is formed and becomes multinational corporation
1998
Trade, Global
Good Friday Agreement brings peace to the island of Ireland
1998
Peace, Ireland
1999 Seattle WTO protests
1999
Trade, United States
Doctors Without Borders wins Nobel Peace Prize
1999
Health, Global
Gates Foundation launches as the largest foundation in the world
2000
Health, Global
China launches Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) with 45 African countries
2000
Trade, Global
Glaxo Smith Kline is formed and becomes multinational corporation
2000
Trade, Global
Monsanto Company is formed and becomes multinational corporation
2000
Trade, Global
China implements first Internet restrictions
2000
Telecom, China
Millennium Development Goals adopted by member states of United Nations
2000
Government, Global
Mexico ends PRI's one-party rule
2000
Government, Mexico
World population reaches 6 billion
2000
Geography, Global
Having begun in 1990, the Human Genome Project draft is completed
2000
Science, Global
"Gladiator" released
2000
Movies, Global
Bankrupt Enron--company now represents accounting fraud & dark side of capitalism
2001
Trade, Global
Terrorists (Islamic fundamentalists) destroy Twin Towers
2001
War, Global
China joins World Trade Organization
2001
Trade, China
Apple invents portable media player
2001
Invention, United States
Terrorist (Islamic fundamentalists) explode two bombs in Bali
2002
War, Indonesia
Milosevic, former president of Serbia, is tried for war crimes
2002
Human Rights, Serbia
Columbia space shuttle with 7 crew members is lost on reentry
2003
Transportation, United States
Baghdad falls to coalition forces
2003
War, Iraq
"Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" released
2003
Movies, Global
Beginning of SARS epidemic in China
2003
Health, China
Wikimedia is formed and becomes multinational corporation
2003
Trade, Global
Facebook is formed and becomes multinational corporation
2004
Trade, Global
Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement, wins Nobel Peace Prize
2004
Earth, Global
"Alexander" released
2004
Movies, Global
"Troy" released
2004
Movies, Global
Terrorists (Islamic fundamentalists) bomb railway stations at rush hour in Madrid
2004
War, Spain
Tsunami in Indian Ocean destroys the Aceh coast and its capital Banda Aceh
2004
Disaster, Indonesia
Suicide bombers (Islamic fundamentalists) kill 56 & injure more than 700 in London
2005
War, United Kingdom
Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans with flooding from broken levees
2005
Disaster, United States
"Kingdom of Heaven" released
2005
Movies, Global
"Karol: A Man Who Became Pope" released
2005
Movies, Global
"Rome" released by BBC, HBO and Rai Fiction
2005
Movies, Global
"Into the West" released as miniseries
2005
Movies, United States
China has more CO2 emissions than U.S. as private autos exceed 30 million
2006
Earth, China
Creation of Islamic State of Iraq (ISI)
2006
War, Iraq
Saddam Hussein dies by hanging after Iraqi court convicts him of crimes
2006
Human Rights, Iraq
Montenegro gains independence from Serbia
2006
Geography, Montenegro
"The Tudors" released by Showtime
2007
Movies, Global
China becomes world's third-largest economy, ahead of Japan
2007
Trade, China
200 million Internet users in China
2007
Telecom, China
Beijing hosts Summer Olympics
2008
Peace, China
Zhang Yimou directs opening & closing ceremonies of the Beijing Summer Olympics
2008
Arts, China
Bhutan holds its first general election
2008
Government, Bhutan
Credit crisis--Lehman Brothers bankrupt & beginning of global economic recession
2008
Trade, Global
Obama at Cairo University calls for peace between Islamic world & United States
2009
Religion, Egypt
US President Barack Obama starts "a new beginning with Cuba."
2009
Peace, Cuba
Ethnic violence in China: 187 killed & 2,000 arrested in Xinjiang
2009
Human Rights, China
Uber is formed and becomes multinational corporation
2009
Trade, Global
Instagram is formed and becomes multinational corporation
2010
Trade, Global
WikiLeaks publishes secret documents about U.S. involvement in Afghanistan
2010
Telecom, Global
Chilean miners rescued--69 day ordeal of 33 miners
2010
Disaster, Chile
Deepwater Horizon oil platform explodes leaving massive oil leak on ocean floor
2010
Earth, United States
Catastrophic earthquake in Haiti destroys much of Port-au-Prince
2010
Disaster, Haiti
The beginning of "Arab Spring"--Tunisian government falls
2011
Government, Tunisia
Tsunami hits Japan killing about 15,000 people & damaging Fukushima nuclear plant
2011
Disaster, Japan
Secret U.S. operation in Pakistan--Osama bin Laden, Al-Qaeda leader, is killed
2011
War, Pakistan
Colonel Gaddafi killed by rebels during Libyan Civil War
2011
War, Libya
Euro debt crisis--Greece & Italy are forced to adopt austerity measures
2011
Trade, Europe
Kim Jong Un takes over after death of North Korean dictator Kim Jong II
2011
Government, Korea
"Magnificent Century" (Turkish: Muhteşem Yüzyıl) aired as a TV miniseries
2011
Movies, Turkey
South Sudan gains independence from Sudan
2011
Geography, South Sudan
In Deraa, Syria, hundreds of thousands are taking to the streets and protesting
2011
Government, Syria
World population reaches 7 billion
2011
Geography, Global
Defrosting permafrost threatens to increase greenhouse gases
2011
Disaster, Global
European Union places an embargo against Iran for effort to enrich uranium
2012
Trade, Global
Eurozone agree to 2nd 130-billion Euros to bailout Greece
2012
Trade, Europe
Hurricane Sandy-major storm surge damage in U.S. cities on east coast
2012
Disaster, United States
Benghazi attack--Islamic militant group against US government facilities in Libya
2012
War, Libya
Encyclopaedia Britannica announces 2010 was the last edition in print
2012
Telecom, Global
Operation Pillar of Defense in Gaza Strip after rocket attacks on Israel
2012
War, Israel
Syrian Civil War: Fighting reaches Damascus and then Aleppo
2012
War, Syria
Detroit files for bankruptcy
2013
Trade, United States
The U.S. government shut down
2013
Government, United States
U.S. Supreme Court strikes down law defining marriage as between a man & woman
2013
Culture, United States
Obamacare gets off to poor start--a bungled rollout
2013
Health, United States
Boston marathon bombing
2013
War, United States
Snowden leaks--most important leak of classified intelligence ever
2013
Government, United States
European Union agrees to 10 billion Euro bailout for Cyprus
2013
Trade, Europe
Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi is deposed by military coup
2013
Government, Egypt
Demonstrations in Ukraine after President Yanukovych rejects agreement with EU
2013
Government, Ukraine
Iran agrees to limit nuclear development to get relief from sanctions
2013
Trade, Iran
Since 1980, Rocky Mountains have lost 20% of snow cover
2013
Disaster, United States
The Universal House of Justice convenes 114 youth conferences around the world
2013
Religion, Global
Xi Jinping announces the Belt and Road Initiative
2013
Trade, China
Islamic State of Iraq begins seizing control of territory in Syria
2013
War, Iraq
"Viking" (season 1) released
2013
Movies, Global
In 2100 Earth is heading for 3.7-4.8°C rise compared to pre-industrial temperature
2014
Disaster, Global
21 year analysis shows ice loss in Antarctica equals Mt Everest size every 2 years
2014
Disaster, Global
Ebola epidemic kills thousands in West Africa and threatens global health
2014
Health, Sub-Saharan Africa
Fighting in Ukraine and Crimea--Russia annexes Crimea
2014
War, Ukraine
Rise of brutal terror group (Islamic State of Iraq & the Levant (ISIS or ISIL))
2014
War, Middle East
Khmer Rouge leaders are found guilty of crimes against humanity
2014
Human Rights, Cambodia
United States begins military air campaign against northern Iraq and Syria
2014
War, Middle East
Barack Obama announces resumptions of normal relations with Cuba
2014
Peace, Americas
Thailand becomes a constitutional monarchy under military junta
2014
Government, Thailand
Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris
2015
War, France
European refugee crisis
2015
Disaster, Europe
ISIS forces in Syrian war: 250,000 people killed since beginning in 2011
2015
War, Syria
Chinese and Taiwanese presidents formally meet for first time
2015
Peace, China
2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) is held in Paris
2015
Earth, Global
"The Last Kingdom" aired on TV as a miniseries
2015
Movies, United Kingdom
World's nations in 2015 agreed to cut CO2 to keep global warming below 2°C
2015
Disaster, Global
Islamic State at height of control over people in western Syria & eastern Iraq
2015
War, Syria
Sustainable Development Goals set by United Nations General Assembly
2015
Government, Global
Syria recaptures Palmyra from IS
2016
War, Syria
Melting Antartica could contribute 3 feet of sea-level rise by 2100
2016
Disaster, Global
"Snowden" released
2016
Movies, Global
"War & Peace" released
2016
Movies, Global
International Atomic Energy Agency announces Iran compliant
2016
Earth, Global
World Health Organization announces outbreak of Zika virus
2016
Health, Global
ISIS bombs kill 32 in Brussels, Belgium
2016
War, Belgium
Ex-Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic found guilty of genocide
2016
Human Rights, Serbia
United Kingdom votes to leave European Union
2016
Trade, Europe
Syrian Civil War--ISIS loses Jarabulus to Turkish army and Syrian rebels
2016
War, Syria
US and China, responsible for 40% of C emissions, ratify Paris global climate plan
2016
Earth, Global
"War Machine" released
2017
Movies, Global
Deadly heat events by 2100 expose 3/4 of population 20 days per year
2017
Disaster, Global
President Donald Trump announces U.S. withdrawal form Paris Agreement
2017
Earth, Global
Atmospheric CO2 levels grow from 280 ppm to 400 ppm since Industrial Revolution
2017
Earth, Global
Iraqi forces defeat IS and liberate Mosul
2017
War, Iraq
Islamic State loses Raqqa to Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces
2017
War, Syria
Iraq defeats Islamic State and wins control of Iraqi-Syrian border
2017
War, Middle East
President Donald Trump announces that IS is close to defeat
2019
War, Middle East
CDC announces $11 million spent to prevent antibiotic-resistant germs
2019
Health, Global
Eliud Kipchoge is first man to run marathon under 2 hours
2019
Health, Kenya
Akademik Lononosov in Russia's Far East is first Small Modular Reactor (SMR)
2019
Invention, Global
Development of Ebola vaccine stops threat of Ebola spreading
2019
Science, Global
Pharmaceutical companies develop COVID-19 vaccine to stop pandemic
2020
Science, Global
WHO reports more than 5 million deaths since beginning of COVID-19 pandemic
2021
Disaster, Global
Apple releases iPhone 13
2021
Invention, Global
Level I trauma centers in the US reduce mortality by 25% vs. non-trauma center
2021
Health, Global
Pfizer announces antiviral drug is 88% effective reducing hospitalization/death
2021
Science, Global