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Period: to
The Modern Era
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Queen Victoria dies.
-Queen Victoria died at 81 years old in the Osborn House on the Isle of Wight. She left behind the longest rain in British history, 64 years. -
Heart of Darkness
Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" is published. It exposes the dark side of European colonization and every person's own inner evil. http://www.studentpulse.com/article-images/uploaded/348_1.jpg -
12-inch
The first 12-inch single records were released on the Monarch label for the gramophone (http://www.collectorsquest.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/12-inch-45rpm.jpg) -
Abbey Theatre
W.B. Yeats founds Dublin's Abbey Theatre. Yeats was an Irish poet and playwright, and a prevalent figure in modern literature. http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/gregory/theatre/40.gif -
Cubism
Cubism was an art movement founded by Pablo Picasso and George Braque. This art technique features objects that are analyzed, broken up, and then reassembled in an abstract manner, often from several viewpoints. This is in order to represent the object in greater context. -
First Woman
Selma Lagerlöf becomes the first woman awarded the Nobel Prize in literature. http://www.sweden.se/upload/Sweden_se/english/Theme%20sites/Selma%20Lagerl%C3%B6f/ung_selma.jpg -
Published
George Bernard Shaw’s play titled "Pygmalion" is first produced; Sons and Lovers by D. H. Lawrence is published "Pygmalion" was a sharp criticism of the British class system of the time portrayed as a romantic comedy, while Sons and Lovers was an intense examination of family, tradition, and sexual relationships.
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World War 1 begins.
Nationalism, increased military, competition for colonies and new technologies played a factor in the beginning of World War 1. Germany and Austria Hungary aligned themselves against Great Britain, France, and Russia. http://cdn.dipity.com/uploads/events/6112a92d15da476df631eafb54409552_1M.png -
A Portrait of the Artist
James Joyce publishes "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man". The novel is one about intellectual and religious awakenings of a young boy. http://www.english.ufl.edu/faculty/publications/2006fall/images/kershner_portrait.jpg -
World War 1 ends
Treaty of Versailles is created and England plummets into debt from the war. -
Bauhaus
Bauhaus was a renowned school of both art and architecture located in Germany. The school combined the teaching of art with crafts. The school was centered around the philosophy that design did not merely reflect society, but rather could help to improve it. http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/fa267/gropius.html -
Original Dixieland Jazz Band
The first jazz hit recorded by the Original Dixieland Jass Band in London, England Song "Alice Blue Gown" (http://www.jazz.com/assets/2008/1/7/albumcoverOriginalDixielandJazzBand-TheCreatorsOfJazz.jpg?1199667052) -
"The Wasteland"
Joyce's Ulysses and T.S. Elliot's The Wasteland are both published. Ulysses is considered to be a more refined example of Joyce's modernist techniques, while T.S. Elliot's The Wasteland is a lengthy poem centered around dramatic monologue.
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Civil war in Ireland begins.
Mansion House declares Irish Independence from Britain. 50,000 British troops attacked 2,000 Irish volunteers, marking the first battle of the Irish Civil war. http://homepage.tinet.ie/~tipperaryfame/image9a.jpg -
Nobel Prize
W.B. Yeats is awarded the Nobel Prize in literature http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a9/William_Butler_Yeat_by_George_Charles_Beresford.jpg/250px-William_Butler_Yeat_by_George_Charles_Beresford.jpg -
Rhapsody in Blue
George Gerswhin's "Rhapsody in Blue" for solo piano and jazz band performed. The song combined elements of classical music and jazz-influenced effects.
Rhapsody in Blue http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/70/Rhapsody_in_Blue_cover.png/230px-Rhapsody_in_Blue_cover.png -
"The Weary Blues"
Langston Hughes publishes his first book of verse, "The Weary Blues" http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQQ1orqN88fcicJyCzbhIamAomwni8z1bn_Ghgz7Nh-C1qhqVRVdmlmf9MB -
"To the Lighthouse"
Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse is published. This work skilfully manipulates temporal and psychological elements in order to present stong points about loss and the limitations of perception. -
MOMA
The Museum of Modern Art opens
Alfred H. Barr Jr. was the first director of this privately supported museum in New York City. The museum contained a variety of contemporary American and European art. http://www.nyny100.com/top-25-things-to-do-new-york.htm -
Adolf Hitler is appointed Chancellor of Germany.
Hitler argued with Alfred Hugenburg over demands for a new election, which Hitler won. Hitler became leader of a government that had sent Germany into a depression, the German democratic republic. http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ahitler.jpg -
World War II begins.
Adolf Hitler broke a nonaggression pact that he had created in 1934 with Poland and invaded them. Britain and France did not attack Germany because of a peace agreement they had made in the mid 1930s. http://www.learning-to-fly.com/images/Vultee-Vengeance.jpg -
Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion
Francis Bacon painted this controversial series of three paintings set on a deep orange backdrop. The corpse-like figures on crosses earned this English painter infamy. www.euroartmagazine.com/new/?page=1&content=140 -
"All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others."
George Orwell's Animal Farm is published. The novel is a commentary on Stalinism http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs19/f/2007/246/2/9/Animal_Farm_book_cover_v2A_by_AstroCrush.jpg -
World War II ends
Germany attacked England, but England held its own and held them off. Shortly after that the United States, Soviet Union, and Great Britain defeated Germany and Japan. -
Mohandas Gandhi was assassinated.
Gandhi was shot by one of his own followers when he was 78 years old. The shot was fired from point blank range. http://www.mahatmagandhionline.com/images/mahatma-gandhi-pictures.jpg -
Skiffle Revival
Skiffle music - an American style of music from the 1920s that could be played on cheap guitars, washboards scraped with thimbles, and tea-chest basses - is revived by poor, young musicians in Britain after the war. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EU4_QAQAIUg/SyDr43x1uQI/AAAAAAAAC5k/d70jC2k9Tl4/s320/skiffle2.gif -
Abstract Expressionism
This was a art movement in New York City, and the first in American painting to proclaim itself independent from European influence. In fact, the movement ultimately went on to influence art abroad. www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/abex/hd_abex.htm -
The Nobel Prize is "Waiting for Godot"
Winston Churchill is awarded the Nobel Prize in literature. Samuel Beckett produces "Waiting for Godot" in Paris (a much, much later revival of the play stars Sir Ian McKellen). The play is a religious, philosophical, and classical allegory of the cold war. http://blogs-images.forbes.com/afontevecchia/files/2011/10/waiting_for_godot_poster.jpg -
"Things Fall Apart"
Chinua Achebe publishes Things Fall Apart, a novel about change, loneliness, and parting with tradition. -
"Night"
Elie Wiesel's "Night" is published. It is a charp novel about the height of the Holocaust, and discusses such themes as the death of God and human depravity. http://lahaiseslair.com/kristinek/files/2010/11/book-night.jpg -
"Lady Chatterley's Lover"
"Lady Chatterley's Lover" by D.H. Lawrence is banned by the US Postmaster General for its erotic passages. The novel more openly discusses being alive physically, not simply mentally or socially. -
"Kiss, Kiss"
Roald Dahl publishes his collection of short stories entitled Kiss, Kiss. True to Dahl's style, all of the short stories have horrific themes. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pLdjmN81Y54/TUwehXNIyUI/AAAAAAAADAI/1JWYbmd-fRo/s1600/Kiss+Kiss.jpg -
Hard-Edge Painting
Hard-edge paintings are geometric images with drastic changes in color. Each color featured is typically pure throughout. The paintings stand out and were somewhat popular during the 60s. connectionsartshow.blogspot.com/ -
Nigeria gains independence from Britain.
In 1959 an election was held in Nigeria and no candidate won a majority vote. The NPC and NCNC joined to form one government. When Nigeria gained its independence Abubakar Tafawa Belawa was Prime Minister and Azikiwe was governor general. -
The Rolling Stones
Formation of the Rolling Stones http://www.drummerworld.com/pics/drum40/rollingstones2.jpg -
Cassette Tapes
Phillips introduces the first cassette tapes http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/cassette.jpg -
British Invasion
This year marks the beginning of the "British Invasion", a period of time when a large number of British and UK music groups gained fame in the US http://britishinvasionbands.com/images/beatles_jfk_64.jpg -
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"Hard Day's Night"
The Beatles release their song "Hard Day's Night" and sparks huge speculation regarding their opening chord -
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2001
Arthur C. Clarke publishes 2001, A Space Odyssey. The work is a science-fiction narrative that forever changed the way people looked at the stars and within themselves. It answers such questions as "Who are we, how did we come to be what we are, what will become of us?" http://www.moviegoods.com/Assets/product_images/1020/144307.1020.A.jpg -
Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong walks on the moon.
On July 20th, 1969 Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin landed on the moon in a lunar module called the Eagle. Michael Collins stayed in orbit while Armstrong and Aldrin landed. -
"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"
Maya Angelou’s "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is published. It is a coming of age story about racism and trauma. http://www.oif.ala.org/oif/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/angelou1.jpg -
Vietnam War ends
North Vietnam launched a limited offensive in Phuoc Long Providence. Phuoc Long Province fell with ease and North Vietnam pushed the attack towards Saigon. Saigon fell, causing South Vietnam to surrender. http://listverse.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/vietnam-war.jpg -
Walkman
Sony releases the Walkman http://www.technology-updates.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/sony-walkman.jpg -
"The Color Purple" and "V for Vendetta"
Alice Walker's "The Color Purple" is published; Alan Moore's "V for Vendetta" comic series is published. The Color Purple has been the target of frequent censorhsip due to its pressing social commentary, and V for Vendetta is a series about a dystopian, dark future. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/be/The_Color_Purple_poster.jpg/220px-The_Color_Purple_poster.jpg -
CD
The UK launches CDs -
Berlin wall demolished
2,000,000 East Berlin citizens rushed the wall and began a chant “The wall is gone!” Then actual demolition of the wall began on November 10th, 1989. Sections of the wall were destroyed to create border crossings. http://www.germany.info/contentblob/2158456/Galeriebild_gross/331358/Timeline_Kids_B.jpg -
Soviet Union is dissolved
After 74 years the Soviet Union fell. At the time of its fall, the Soviet Union was completely broke. There was no ceremony. http://www.whyguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/soviet-union1.jpg -
Jeff Koons debuts Topiary Puppy
This colossal depiction of a West Highland terrier in flowers is situated outside of Jeff Koons’ home. The pup is 43 feet in height, and composed of 7,000 flowers. http://www.aplacetolovedogs.com/tag/jeff-koons/ -
"Candle in the Wind 1997"
Elton John releases "Candle in the Wind 1997", a tribute to Princess Diana of Wales. It goes platinum 8 times within 24 hours of its release. http://www.instablogsimages.com/images/2006/12/06/princess-diana_72.jpg -
World Trade centers in New York attacked by terrorists
The first tower was hit at 8:50 AM, the second at 9:04 AM. The first tower stood for about 1 hour and 40 minutes before collapsing, the second only stood for 56 minutes. Both towers were hit by commercial airplanes hijacked by terrorists. http://www.september11news.com/TVScreenCNNBreakingNews.jpg -
"The Known World"
Edward P. Jones' "The Known World" is published. The Known World is a novel about personalities and situations and shows how slavery destroys but can also be transcended. http://www.harpercollins.com/author/authorExtra.aspx?isbn13=9780060557546&displayType=readingGuide -
"Gilead"
"Gilead" by Marilynne Robinson is published. The book is a fictional autobiography about a pastor during the abolitionist movement in Iowa.
http://theknockingshop.blogspot.com/2011/07/gilead.html -
"The Gates"
In New York City’s Central Park husband and wife Christo and Jeanne-Claude created the gates. The gates themselves are composed of vinyl, and from them hangs saffron fabric, designed to billow beautifully in the wind. http://centralparkny.com/christo/ -
"Hard Day's Night"
"Hard Day's Night" Opening ChordThe opening chord to the Beatles "Hard Day's Night" is figured out: a G7sus4 voiced as F2 A2 F3 A3 C4 G4 on the six-string; F2 A2 F3 A3 C4 G4 on the low twelve-string; F3 A3 C4 F4 G4 A4 on the high twelve-string; and D2 on the bass https://sites.google.com/site/ahdnchord/_/rsrc/1295171464100/files/chord.bmp?height=131&width=109
