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The Industrial Revoultion
The Industrial Revolution began in late 1700s Britain. The Industrial Revolution was a period of rapid evolution of civilization. During this time, more established countries shifted from agricultural to industrial focus. There were serious negative effects on economy and environment, with a jaw-dropping amount of child labor and pollution, but this period eventually helped the world transition into a more stable and efficient time. This time of progress ended somewhere between 1820-1840. -
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The Civil War
The Civil War started a year after the election of President Abraham Lincoln, and ended with the surrender of the CSS Shenandoah. This four year long war was fought between the Confederate and Union states of America. The most recognized causes had to do with African American slavery and its impact on the economy of the South. -
The Pacific Railroad is finished
The Pacific Railroad is finished as the Central and Union Pacific Railroads are finally connected to create a transcontinental railroad. This reduced average time of travel between the East and West Coasts from around six months to two weeks. This had a considerable effect on the economy as well as relationships with the Native American community of the time. Today the Transcontinental Railroad is 155 years old. -
Alexander Graham Bell applies for a patent on the telephone
Alexander Graham Bell applies for a patent on a telephone, just an hour or so before Elisha Gray. Bell may not have been the first to invent the telephone, but he was the first to patent it. The first clear words heard through this telephone were, "Mr. Watson, come here. I want you!" Spoken to his associate Thomas Watson. Today Bell is widely credited for the invention of one of the most influential technology in history. -
Thomas Edison brings electric light to homes
Thomas Edison brings electric light to homes in New York City for the first time. Edison had had a passion for inventing and electricity for his entire life. In his laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey, he worked on his lightbulb for many years even after its original invention. Edison often creates controversy between historians, because some claim he was unethical and plagiaristic. However, he is commonly regarded as a great inventor. -
Lady Liberty arrives in New York
Lady Liberty arrives in New York Harbor, a symbol of friendship between France and the United States. The Statue of Liberty quickly became an icon, the face of freedom; a symbol of pride for the independent, and of hope for those who wished to be. The statue, created after the Roman goddess Libertas, is inscribed with a sonnet by Emma Lazarus, The New Colossus. The Statue was the first thing ships destined for Ellis Island saw. -
The Wright Brothers create the Wright Flyer
the Wright Brothers create the Wright Flyer, the first controllable, engine-powered aircraft. Although at the time the brothers were ridiculed for their design, which seemed unnatural and unpractical, the airplane evolved quickly and was much appreciated during the World Wars, only a few years later. -
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The rapid evolution of the airplane
The rapid evolution of the airplane was incredible. In just 34 years the airplane took off without crashing; flew as part of a commercial airline with passengers; crossed the Atlantic Ocean without stopping once; and participated with zeal in both world wars. It's come a long way since the Wright Brothers. -
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WWI
WWI would only last a few months, according to common belief in the west. Instead, this brutal war lasted four years and proved to many people that war was not just 'a thing of the past, for uncivilized countries.' This war, on the brink of the technological age, included horses and tanks, swords and machine guns. -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia one month and a day after Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife are assassinated by a young Serbian nationalist. Austria-Hungary was on edge, with racial and political tensions creating unease already. The death of the Archduke was the straw to break the camel's back. There were many reasons for the beginning of WWI, however, this date is considered the start of the conflict. -
Germany and France declare war on each other
Germany and France declare war on each other as Germany invades Belgium, two days after Germany declared war on Russia. Rumors of German brutality in Belgium stir western interest. -
Britain declares war on Germany
Britain declares war on Germany, sending soldiers from around the globe. Britain was an incredible power in WW1. Heads turned in the United States when the UK joined the war. -
Christmas on the front lines
Christmas on the front lines of 1914 WW1 is beautiful. In battlefields across Europe, conflict ceased and parties celebrated, some even venturing out of the trenches to join in their enemies' celebration. Football matches were played and cigarettes shared. The day, and others with similar peace initiatives, are remembered in a bittersweet reverence. 'If only for a day...' -
John McCrae pens famous WW1 poem
John McCrae pens famous WWI poem, In Flanders Fields. McCrae was inspired to write the poem after the death of a friend and fellow soldier in the Second Battle of Ypres. Its reference of red poppies inspired the use of the flowers in memorials. In Flanders Fields -
The Dick, Kerr Ladies' Team
The Dick, Kerr Ladies' Team is founded. This team is said to be the best British women's football (soccer) team to ever play. Additionally, their star winger Lily Parr is said to be the best woman footballer to ever play. She was invited on to the team at fourteen years old. The team's career was stunted in 1922 with the ban on ladies' football, which was 'unsuitable for females.' (The men's leagues were bitter.) The Dick, Kerr Ladies team are now regarded as pioneers in women's football. -
The League Of Nations
The League Of Nations is founded at the close of WWI. This was the first global intergovernmental group whose principal mission was to maintain world peace. -
Bessie Coleman is given her international pilot's license
Bessie Coleman is given her international pilots license. She was the first African American to earn this license. She died five years later, falling from 1,000 feet in an faulty plane accident. Her time was short, but she had already been a 'leader in introducing aviation to her race.' Born to the children of slaves, she had to deal with poverty, racism and sexism. As a child she told her ambitious but illiterate mother that she 'intended to amount to something.' She succeeded in this. -
George Washington Carver is awarded the Spingarn Medal
George Washington Carver is awarded the Spingarn Medal. This award is contributed to outstanding African Americans. George Washington Carver, who was born in 1860, certainly was one of those; with amazing agricultural and social contributions to the USA. He thought of more than 300 uses for the peanut in particular, in an effort to convince farmers to use the legume in crop rotation. -
Charles Lindbergh arrives in Paris
Charles Lindbergh arrives in Paris, completing the first ever non-stop solo flight across the Atlantic. Although he is criticized for his association with the Nazis and multiple long-term affairs, he is widely regarded as an impressive man with many accomplishments, besides his famous flight, to his name. -
The Great Depression begins
The Great Depression begins. Initially, people believed this was just another recession. During the first few weeks, most people went relatively unharmed, if they weren't involved in the stock market. Then the banks started failing. -
FDR is inaugurated
FDR is inaugurated with a bang. He was the 32nd president of the United States of America until his death. Roosevelt helped the rebuild the economy and took steps to prevent another collapse. He is generally regarded as a great president. -
Amelia Earhart takes flight
Amelia Earhart takes flight with Fred Noonan in an attempt to circumnavigate the earth. They disappeared on the way. Further reading:
Amelia Earhart
Fred Noonan
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The Rape of Nanjing, or The Nanjing Massacre
The Rape of Nanjing, or The Nanjing Massacre is considered to be one of the worst wartime atrocities ever committed. The streets were red for six weeks. There were an estimated 200,000 deaths, 20,000-80,000 raped, and 30,000-40,000 prisoners of war executed. The massacre was committed immediately after the Battle of Nanking, by the Japanese Imperial Army. -
The War of the Worlds
The War of Worlds radio show was broadcasted over the CBS radio network, a seemingly harmless adaptation of the sci-fi by H. G. Wells. The show had pretend news reports interrupting a music show, and convinced many people that aliens were invading New England. Although the show was only meant to be an entertaining narration of a famous book, it actually made many people flee their homes. -
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The Jewish Badge
The Jewish Badge, or the Star of David, was implemented by the Nazis between 1939 and 1945. This badge was a way of identifying people who were Jewish by race. 'Superior' citizens could now easily avoid the undesirables. -
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WWII
WWII is regarded as one of the most brutal wars in history. It was long and grueling. It also contributed much technological advancements across all categories, including Penicillin and flu vaccines, facial tissues and new feminine hygiene products, electric computers and radar- the atomic bomb. While advancing advancing the human race, we also saw inhumane action in new lighting. It is an example of a truly appropriate use of the word horrifying. -
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The Blitz
The Blitz was a German bombing campaign against the UK during the WWII. The name originated from the German word Blitzkrieg, which means lightning war. The German air attacks against industrial targets and cities began with raids on London, near the end of the Battle of Britain, in 1940. -
America declares war on Japan
America declares war on Japan one day after the infamous attacks on Pearl Harbor. Franklin Roosevelt's speech was a powerful representation of the American sense of betrayal. Although the two relationships of the two nations had been uneasy, all communications had been friendly up until the attack. Because the United States of America did expect the attack, Pearl Harbor was relatively undefended. FDR's speech -
The British Indian Army
The British Indian Army reaches the highest numbers for an all-volunteer force ever. During WWII, India was full of inner turmoil. Mass starvation and poverty due to famine, government policies, occupation, racism, and political/religious divide, was rampant. India's perspective of WWII -
Anne Frank dies
Anne Frank dies in a concentration camp, at fifteen years old. Anne Frank is one of the most famous people of all time. A Jew in WWII, she kept a diary in which she documented life in hiding. Her family's hiding place was compromised and they were arrested, on the fourth of August, 1944. -
U.S. Marines raise the flag
U.S. Marines raise the American flag on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima. As they did so, one of the most iconic photos of all time was taken, unposed, by Associated Press Photographer Rosenthal. -
Christian Dior
Christian Dior opens his fashion house. Sprouting out of the conservative days of the war, Dior brought Paris into a new era of fashion with the best Edwardian tendencies. Although the line was at first criticized by feminists, Dior was accepted into the world of high fashion. Though high fashion is often mocked for awkward attempts at being revolutionary, the brand Christian Dior has always been synonymous with grace, and its legacy is elegance.