History timeline

  • 30,000 BCE

    Stone Age

    Stone Age
    Marked by the use of stone tools. It’s divided into the Paleolithic and Neolithic.
  • 3500 BCE

    Copper Age

    Copper Age
    Where humans began using cooper for tools and weapons. Also known as the Chalcolithic. This period saw the beginnings of metalworking.
  • 3300 BCE

    Bronze Age

    Bronze Age
    Where humans began using cooper for tools and weapons. Also known as the Chalcolithic. This period saw the beginnings of metalworking.
  • 2000 BCE

    Judaism

    Judaism
    One of the oldest monotheistic religions
  • 2000 BCE

    Maya Civilization

    Maya Civilization
    In Mesoamerica, with advances of writing, mathematics, and astronomy.
  • 1595 BCE

    Late Bronze Age

    Late Bronze Age
    -Expansion of trade networks
    -Improved weapons and armor
    -Improvement in metallurgy and trade.
  • 1200 BCE

    Iron Age

    Iron Age
    Assyrian Empire: A powerful Mesopotamian empire, known for its military prowess and administration. Nok Culture: Known for iron smelting and terracota sculptures Kushite Kingdom: Known for iron working Proto-Celtic and Hallstatt: Cultures in Europe known for their metalwork and as predecessors of Celtic Society
  • 800 BCE

    Ancient Greece

    Ancient Greece
    The golden age of Athens
  • 753 BCE

    Ancient Rome

    Ancient Rome
    A period where Rome was governed by electe officials and the Senate.
  • 400 BCE

    Buddhism

    Buddhism
    Founded by Siddhartha Gautama
  • 336 BCE

    Alexander the Great

    Alexander the Great
    Expanded Greek Culture across the vast empire, spreading Hellenistic influence.
  • 330 BCE

    Byzantine Empire

    Byzantine Empire
    Continued for centuries after the fall of the West.
  • 323 BCE

    Hellenism

    Hellenism
    The blend of Greek culture with the other cultures
  • 312 BCE

    Seleucid Empire

    Seleucid Empire
    Greek influenced rule in Asia
  • 306 BCE

    Antigonids

    Antigonids
    Rulers in the Macedonian and Greek regions
  • 305 BCE

    Ptolemaic Empire

    Ptolemaic Empire
    Greek rulers in Egypt
  • 27 BCE

    Western Roman Empire

    Western Roman Empire
    Greek rulers in Egypt
  • 50

    Christianity

    Christianity
    Based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ
  • 301

    Catholic Church

    Catholic Church
    It controlled lands and impacting politics
  • 476

    Fall of the Western Roman Empire

    Fall of the Western Roman Empire
  • 493

    Theodoric the Great establishes the Ostrogothic Kingdom in Italy

    Theodoric the Great establishes the Ostrogothic Kingdom in Italy
  • 527

    Justinian I ascends as Byzantine Emperor, later initiating major legal and architectural reforms.

    Justinian I ascends as Byzantine Emperor, later initiating major legal and architectural reforms.
  • 610

    Islam

    Islam
    Founded by the Prophet Muhammad
  • 711

    The Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula begins.

    The Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula begins.
  • 732

    Battle of Tours – Charles Martel halts the northward advance of Islamic forces

    Battle of Tours – Charles Martel halts the northward advance of Islamic forces
  • 800

    Coronation of Charlemagne as Emperor by Pope Leo III, uniting much of Western Europe

    Coronation of Charlemagne as Emperor by Pope Leo III, uniting much of Western Europe
  • 801

    Feudal system

    Feudal system
    Based on land ownership and personal loyalty
  • 843

    Treaty of Verdun divides the Carolingian Empire among Charlemagne’s grandsons.

    Treaty of Verdun divides the Carolingian Empire among Charlemagne’s grandsons.
  • 962

    Otto I is crowned Holy Roman Emperor, reinforcing the idea of a revived Western Empire

    Otto I is crowned Holy Roman Emperor, reinforcing the idea of a revived Western Empire
  • 1054

    The Great Schism formally splits Christianity into Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox branches.

    The Great Schism formally splits Christianity into Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox branches.
  • 1066

    Norman Conquest of England – William the Conqueror defeats Harold II at Hastings.

    Norman Conquest of England – William the Conqueror defeats Harold II at Hastings.
  • 1095

    Pope Urban II calls for the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont.

    Pope Urban II calls for the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont.
  • 1099

    Crusaders capture Jerusalem during the First Crusade.

    Crusaders capture Jerusalem during the First Crusade.
  • 1122

    Concordat of Worms resolves the Investiture Controversy between the papacy and the Holy Roman Emperor.

    Concordat of Worms resolves the Investiture Controversy between the papacy and the Holy Roman Emperor.
  • 1147

    Launch of the Second Crusade.

    Launch of the Second Crusade.
  • 1187

    Battle of Hattin – Saladin defeats Crusader forces and recaptures Jerusalem.

    Battle of Hattin – Saladin defeats Crusader forces and recaptures Jerusalem.
  • 1190

    Beginning of the Third Crusade, led by figures such as Richard the Lionheart.

    Beginning of the Third Crusade, led by figures such as Richard the Lionheart.
  • 1215

    Signing of the Magna Carta in England, laying foundations for constitutional governance.

    Signing of the Magna Carta in England, laying foundations for constitutional governance.
  • 1229

    End of the Albigensian Crusade with the Treaty of Paris, curbing heresy in southern France.

    End of the Albigensian Crusade with the Treaty of Paris, curbing heresy in southern France.
  • 1241

    Mongol forces invade Eastern Europe (e.g., Battle of Legnica), affecting European political dynamics.

    Mongol forces invade Eastern Europe (e.g., Battle of Legnica), affecting European political dynamics.
  • 1265

    Simon de Montfort’s Parliament in England becomes an early model of representative government.

    Simon de Montfort’s Parliament in England becomes an early model of representative government.
  • 1274

    Second Council of Lyons discusses Church reforms and attempts at reuniting Eastern and Western Christianity.

    Second Council of Lyons discusses Church reforms and attempts at reuniting Eastern and Western Christianity.
  • 1302

    Pope Boniface VIII issues the papal bull Unam Sanctam, asserting papal supremacy.

    Pope Boniface VIII issues the papal bull Unam Sanctam, asserting papal supremacy.
  • 1315

    The Great Famine begins in Europe, severely impacting population and society.

    The Great Famine begins in Europe, severely impacting population and society.
  • 1325

    Aztec Civilization

    Aztec Civilization
    A powerful empire in central Mexico
  • 1347

    Outbreak of the Black Death in Europe, drastically reducing the population.

    Outbreak of the Black Death in Europe, drastically reducing the population.
  • 1351

    Crises

    Crises
    Great Famine, Black Death
  • 1378

    Beginning of the Western Schism, splitting the Catholic Church with rival popes.

    Beginning of the Western Schism, splitting the Catholic Church with rival popes.
  • 1415

    Execution of Jan Hus at the Council of Constance, sparking early reformist movements.

    Execution of Jan Hus at the Council of Constance, sparking early reformist movements.
  • 1415

    Portuguese Expeditions

    Portuguese Expeditions
    Explored the Western coast of Africa
  • 1417

    The Western Schism comes to an end with the election of a single pope.

    The Western Schism comes to an end with the election of a single pope.
  • 1438

    Inca Civilization

    Inca Civilization
    Developed an extensive road network and advanced agricultural terraces
  • 1453

    Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire.

    Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire.
  • 1455

    Gutenberg prints the first Bible, revolutionizing the spread of knowledge with movable type.

    Gutenberg prints the first Bible, revolutionizing the spread of knowledge with movable type.
  • 1492

    Christopher Columbus’s voyage leads to the European discovery of the Americas.

    Christopher Columbus’s voyage leads to the European discovery of the Americas.
  • 1492

    Castilian Expeditions

    Castilian Expeditions
    Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic, paving the way for Spanish colonization
  • 1494

    Treaty of Tordesillas divides the New World between Spain and Portugal.

    Treaty of Tordesillas divides the New World between Spain and Portugal.
  • 1517

    Martin Luther nails his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, sparking the Protestant Reformation.

    Martin Luther nails his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, sparking the Protestant Reformation.
  • 1521

    The Diet of Worms condemns Martin Luther´s teachings

  • 1527

    Sack of Rome by the troops of Charles V, symbolizing the decline of papal political power.

  • 1534

    Henry VIII’s Act of Supremacy establishes the Church of England.

  • 1543

    Copernicus publishes On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres, marking a shift in scientific thought.

  • 1545

    The Council of Trent commences, launching the Counter-Reformation within the Catholic Church.

  • 1555

    The Peace of Augsburg establishes the principle of cuius regio, eius religio in the Holy Roman Empire.

  • The Spanish Armada is defeated by England, altering the balance of naval power in Europe.

  • The Defenestration of Prague sparks the Thirty Years’ War across Central Europe.

  • The English Civil War begins, leading to significant shifts in power and governance.

  • The Peace of Westphalia ends the Thirty Years’ War and lays the groundwork for modern state sovereignty.

  • The Glorious Revolution in England establishes a constitutional monarchy.

  • The English Bill of Rights is enacted, reinforcing parliamentary power and individual rights.

  • The Acts of Union unite England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain.

  • The Treaty of Utrecht ends the War of Spanish Succession, reshaping the balance of power in Europe.

  • Death of Louis XIV marks the end of an era of absolute monarchy in France.

  • The Seven Years’ War begins, a global conflict that reconfigures colonial empires.

  • The Battle of the Plains of Abraham decisively influences the fate of New France in North America.

  • The approximate beginning of the Industrial Revolution, heralding vast economic and social changes.

  • The American Revolutionary War begins.

  • The American Declaration of Independence is adopted. Adam Smith publishes his magnum opus ‘An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations’ .

  • The Treaty of Paris ends the American Revolutionary War.

  • The French Revolution begins, radically transforming French society and politics.

  • The French National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

  • Napoleon Bonaparte seizes power in France during the coup of 18 Brumaire.

  • Napoleon crowns himself Emperor of the French.

  • The Battle of Austerlitz results in a decisive Napoleonic victory.

  • The British Parliament passes the Slave Trade Act, abolishing the slave trade in the British Empire.

  • The Mexican War of Independence begins against Spanish colonial rule.

  • Napoleon invades Russia, a campaign that ultimately weakens his army.

  • Napoleon abdicates, and the Congress of Vienna convenes to redraw the map of Europe.

  • The Battle of Waterloo marks Napoleon’s final defeat and ends the Napoleonic Wars.

  • The Greek War of Independence begins; simultaneously, the Mexican War of Independence concludes.