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1903: Wright Brothers' First Flight
Orville and Wilbur Wright achieved the first powered, controlled, sustained flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, marking the dawn of aviation. Their aircraft, the Wright Flyer, flew a distance of approximately 120 feet during its first flight, lasting just 12 seconds. Start Date: December 17, 1903
End Date: December 17, 1903 -
1914-1918: World War I
World War I, also known as the Great War, was one of the deadliest conflicts in history, resulting in over 16 million military and civilian deaths. The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, officially ended World War I and imposed significant penalties and territorial changes in Germany. Start Date: July 28, 1914
End Date: November 11, 1918 -
1929: Wall Street Crash
The Wall Street Crash of 1929, also known as Black Tuesday, saw a catastrophic stock market collapse, leading to the loss of billions of dollars and contributing to the Great Depression. The crash had a profound impact on the global economy, leading to widespread unemployment and poverty during the 1930s. Start Date: October 29, 1929
End Date: October 29, 1929 -
1941: Pearl Harbor Attack
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, led to the destruction of numerous US ships and aircraft and the loss of over 2,400 lives. The attack prompted the United States to declare war on Japan, marking its entry into World War II. Start Date: December 7, 1941
End Date: December 7, 1941 -
1945: Atomic Bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, codenamed "Little Boy," had an explosive force equivalent to approximately 15,000 tons of TNT. The atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki played a pivotal role in Japan's surrender, leading to the end of World War II on August 15, 1945. Start Date (Hiroshima): August 6, 1945
End Date (Hiroshima): August 6, 1945
Start Date (Nagasaki): August 9, 1945
End Date (Nagasaki): August 9, 1945 -
1947: Marshall Plan
The Marshall Plan, officially known as the European Recovery Program, provided over $12 billion in economic aid to 16 European nations to help rebuild their economies after World War II. The plan aimed to prevent the spread of communism and promote stability and prosperity in war-torn Europe. Start Date: April 3, 1948 (The Marshall Plan was proposed in 1947, but the implementation started in 1948.) -
1950-1953: Korean War
The Korean War began when North Korean forces, backed by the Soviet Union and China, invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950. The armistice signed on July 27, 1953, ended the Korean War, but a formal peace treaty has never been signed, leaving North and South Korea technically still at war. Start Date: June 25, 1950
End Date: July 27, 1953 -
1963: Assassination of President John F. Kennedy
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963, while riding in a motorcade with his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested as the alleged assassin but was killed by Jack Ruby before he could stand trial, leading to conspiracy theories surrounding the assassination. Start Date: November 22, 1963
End Date: November 22, 1963 -
1969: Apollo 11 Moon Landing
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the moon, famously stating, "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind." The Apollo 11 mission was a remarkable achievement in space exploration and a symbolic victory in the Cold War space race against the Soviet Union. Start Date: July 20, 1969
End Date: July 20, 1969 -
1989: Fall of the Berlin Wall
The fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, was a pivotal moment in history, symbolizing the end of the Cold War and the division of Germany. The wall had separated East and West Berlin for 28 years, and its fall allowed citizens on both sides to freely cross and interact once again. Start Date: November 9, 1989
End Date: November 9, 1989 -
1991: Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm)
The Gulf War, also known as Operation Desert Storm, began on January 17, 1991, when a coalition of nations led by the United States launched a military campaign to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. The conflict ended on February 28, 1991, with a ceasefire following the successful liberation of Kuwait but leaving long-term consequences in the region. Start Date: January 17, 1991
End Date: February 28, 1991 -
1992: Space Shuttle Endeavour's First Flight
Space Shuttle Endeavour made its maiden flight, designated as STS-49, on May 7, 1992, carrying a crew of seven astronauts. Endeavour's first flight included a series of spacewalks to capture and repair the stranded Intelsat VI satellite, demonstrating the versatility of the Space Shuttle program. Start Date: May 7, 1992 (Space Shuttle Endeavour's first flight)
End Date: May 7, 1992 (Space Shuttle Endeavour's first flight) -
1993: World Trade Center Bombing
On February 26, 1993, a truck bomb exploded beneath the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, killing six people and injuring over a thousand. The bombing was an act of terrorism and marked a precursor to the more devastating September 11, 2001, attacks on the same location. Start Date: February 26, 1993
End Date: February 26, 1993 -
1999: Texas Governor George W. Bush Elected President
In a closely contested election, Texas Governor George W. Bush was elected as the 43rd President of the United States on December 12, 2000, following a Supreme Court decision in Bush v. Gore.
George W. Bush's presidency included significant events such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the subsequent War on Terror. Start Date: December 12, 2000 (Date of the Supreme Court's decision in Bush v. Gore)
End Date: December 12, 2000 (Date of the Supreme Court's decision in Bush v. Gore)