Early 20th Century
• 1903: First Powered Flight (Wright Brothers)
o Impact: Laid the foundation for modern aviation, revolutionizing transportation
and global connectivity.
• 1914-1918: World War I
o Impact: Resulted in significant geopolitical changes, the rise of new nations, and
set the stage for WWII due to unresolved tensions.
• 1917: Russian Revolution
o Impact: Established the first communist state, influencing global politics and
inspiring socialist movements worldwide.
Interwar Period
• 1929: Great Depression
o Impact: Caused widespread economic hardship, leading to major social and
political changes, including the rise of totalitarian regimes.
• 1933: Rise of Adolf Hitler
o Impact: Initiated the Nazi regime in Germany, leading to WWII and the
Holocaust, profoundly affecting global history and human rights discourse.
World War II
• 1939-1945: World War II
o Impact: Resulted in unprecedented loss of life, the Holocaust, and significant
shifts in global power, leading to the formation of the United Nations.
• 1945: Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
o Impact: Marked the end of WWII and ushered in the nuclear age, raising ethical
concerns about warfare and leading to arms races during the Cold War.
Cold War Era
• 1947: Cold War Begins
o Impact: A period of geopolitical tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union,
leading to proxy wars and significant military buildups.
• 1963: Civil Rights March on Washington
o Impact: Highlighted the struggle for racial equality in the U.S., leading to
significant civil rights legislation.
• 1969: Apollo 11 Moon Landing
o Impact: Symbolized technological achievement and U.S. superiority in the space
race, inspiring advancements in science and engineering.
Late 20th Century
• 1989: Fall of the Berlin Wall
o Impact: Symbolized the end of the Cold War, leading to the reunification of
Germany and the spread of democracy in Eastern Europe.
• 1991: Dissolution of the Soviet Union
o Impact: Marked the end of communist control in Eastern Europe and significant
shifts in global political dynamics, leading to the emergence of new nations.
• 1994: Rwandan Genocide
o Impact: Highlighted the international community's failures to prevent genocide,
raising awareness of human rights issues and the need for intervention.
