The 10 Most Important Moments and Events in History, An Illustrated Guide
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Choosing the top ten most important events in history is one of the most difficult and controversial things to do. Why? Because history is more than a few hundred years long and there is way too much bias in most lists. I’ve attempted to create a list without that bias and that manages to touch on the major events in history that in the end shaped the world. Some of the events were huge yet impacted only a continent or two. Others literally touched every culture and brought them into a whole new way of thinking. Here is my humble attempt at the 10 most important events in history and not in any particular order.
American Revolution
To many this event was too localized to be considered part of a list that involves all of history. Yet, the shockwaves from this one event is still felt today. The American Revolution (1775-1783) took many ideas from the early civilizations of Greece and Rome and combined them with the Christian Bible to revolt against an authority that was unbending. They believed that every man (though at the time even that statement was narrowly defined) was equal and should be treated fairly. Only when the men and women of the new world rose up together was there a solid foundation for the beginning of a nation that in our modern world influences much around the globe. When an election is held in the United States, the world watches. The influence that America now has gives credence to the American Revolution being one of the greatest events in our history.
Reformation
The Reformation (1517-1648) was one of the greatest events in European history. Prior to this period the Roman Catholic Church had close to absolute control over the people and the government. It was when many of the learned men of the time began to question the practices of the church in comparison to the Bible that trouble arose. The intent of the Reformation was to reform the Catholic Church and bring it back to its biblical roots. The end result was a rending of the church into two factions: Catholics and Protestants. The Reformation brought the religious texts into the hands of the masses and began the decline of the Catholic power. It also brought about many wars and figures that took the forefront who still continue to shape the world today. Thinking of this only as a European event could be erroneous. Because of the Reformation much of the New World known as the Americas was shaped, missionaries increased throughout the world, and thinkers that rose up from the Renaissance and could proclaim their discoveries and believes with less fear of persecution. The Reformation gave us free-thought while holding us down to the basics of life.
Reformation
Jesus of Nazareth
Whether you are a Christian or not, you cannot honestly say that the life of Jesus of Nazareth did not dramatically impact history. If you follow the dating system that we use today, you acknowledge his impact. This article is published in 2010. Why was this date set up just so? Because approximately 2010 years ago, Jesus lived in Israel. At the time of his life, it might not have seen so dramatic to the world at large. He never traveled more than a few days journey from his hometown. It was only after he left earth that his teachings spread beyond his homeland and began to cause trouble for the ruling power of the time – Rome. When Roman rulers began to persecute the followers of Jesus, Christians, that is when his life really began to ripple out around the globe. Over time Christianity was accepted by the Roman rulers which allowed it to spread even further. Today Christianity is one of the largest religions of the world. Jesus set off an atomic religious bomb that is still felt today.
Impact of Christianity
Tearing Down of Berlin Wall
Tearing down a wall might not seem like much, but when you realize what all else came down with that wall you begin to see it in a whole new light. At the end of World War II, there was relief at the downfall of a disturbed man who wanted to dominate the earth and at the same time there was suspicion of each other and a desire to control as much land as possible. The nations that defeated Hitler and his friends began to quarrel amongst themselves. Should the defeated lands be democratic in nature or communist? The end result was a lesson from King Solomon – split the spoils down the middle. Germany was the embodiment of the war and therefore it became the most disputed area. In the end, it was split in half with one part under a communist government and the other under a more democratic style. Through the middle of Berlin a large wall was built to separate the capital city and symbolize the wall that separated the communist world from everyone else. When the wall came down in 1989 it signified the end of communist rule and birth of the voice of the people.
Fall of Berlin Wall
World War II
This is one of the few wars that literally involved most of the world. The scarring from this six year fight is still seen today in the demolished buildings and the tattooed numbers on the arms of POW’s. There was no one main objective or enemy. There was no main front. It was composed of the European, African, and Asian segments of the war. It ripped through every economic level, race, religion, and culture. Country after country fell into other hands. Men, women, and children were killed by the millions. Many lost their loved ones and had to seek new lands to call home as there was so much devastation. World War II also led to the creation of the United Nations, a homeland for the Jews, and the beginning of the Cold War. The world had changed and was never to return to the innocence it once claimed. It was the unmasking of an underlying evil that took an ugly shape in the Cold War. Only as the truth of the massacres, plots, and campaigns have revealed themselves as the world truly begun to heal.
WWII
World War I
World War One (1914-1918) was once called the Great War. No one during that time could imagine anything worse. That is until they faced themselves with WWII and even more bloodshed. But WWI was not pushed aside. In fact, historian, George Kennan, said that all roads led to WWI. In truth, Kennan was right on the money. WWII’s causes can be traced right back to WWI where so much was left undone and so much resentment and hatred brewed below the surface. It was the humiliation of Germany at the end of WWI that began the movement toward WWII. The hatred toward the world that many Germans felt led to the election of Hitler, the creation of concentration camps, and the fall of France, Poland, and many other countries. An unsatisfied closure to the Great War caused it to be the silence before the storm.
WWI
Gutenberg's Printing Press
There is almost no other event that could be called as influential as the printing press that Gutenberg invented around 1440. Before this monumental creation, books were copied by hand. Laboriously monks and other men of learning would spend hours and hours through the bright sunlight and the weak light of an oil lamp to make copies of religious texts, literature, and official documents. It could take years just t copy one book. When Gutenberg devised a printing press that could print copy after copy in just a small fraction of the time, the whole world changed dramatically. All of a sudden everyone could have their own copies of the religious scriptures. They could read it for themselves. Political pamphlets could be made by the thousands and influence the masses like never before. Learning was not limited to a select few. It was available for all. Books were not just for the rich. They could be made for those of lower classes. Gutenberg’s press changed the political world, the religious world, and the everyday life of man. No more would we lean on a select few to direct us. We could take it for ourselves.
Gutenberg's Printing Press
Muhammad
Just like the life of Jesus, whether you are a follower of Muhammad (570-630) or not you cannot deny the impact his life has had on history. Before Muhammad rose up as the founder of Islam, the Middle East was full of small tribes that warred against each other continuously. Muhammad brought those tribes together and gave them a purpose and a reason to join forces. Though blood was still shed it was not against each other. It was against those that threatened the new religion or fought against it. Since the birth of Islam, it has become one of the largest religions of the world. It covers the globe and through many of its sects it has influenced the world. The terrorist branches have reached out and impacted the daily lives of every person through their traveling procedures or just the way they go to work with extra security. Muhammad changed the shape of the Middle East that is still changing today.
Muhammad
Pax Romana
This is the period of relative peace in the Roman Empire for about two hundred years. What was so special about this besides the fact that it was peace for an empire that loved to fight and bloodshed was part of the daily life was what the peace brought forth. Out of all the quiet culture developed that today still is in use. Roads of amazing engineering were built and linked the far areas of the vast empire like no other before them. A postal system was refined and utilized like never before. Engineering explosion gave us the arch, plumbing, and so many more cultural advances that were the basis of many of the things that we use each and every day of our lives. This period of peace allowed the warring empire to settle down and adjust to its new size and all its new family members. It developed a legal system like no other. It created a culture that is envied today in many aspects. This peace helped lay down the foundations of our world today.
Renaissance
Nothing can compare to the age of the Renaissance. Ignorance was being pushed aside and the world was beginning to see the sparkle of the dew drop, the lure of a falling apple, and the wonder of a distant star. It was during this time that great men and women questioned tradition, standing believes, and learned that there was still a lot to learn in this great world. The earth was not the center of the universe. There were planets besides our own. There was a world of mathematics that had functioned just under the surface where no man had yet looked. There was beauty in colors that art began to acknowledge and share with the whole world. The Renaissance gave us new light into our world and pushed aside the Dark Ages where man was directed by superstition and fear. The Renaissance gave the unexplainable a face and a name. There would be no more fear. Curiosity was encouraged despite opposition from those that longed to remain in the past. The Renaissance was an awakening to the world and was the beginning of all our curiosity today.
Renaissance
- The American Revolution - (Home)
- The Reformation Online - The Most Timely, Scientific, and Patriotic Site on the Internet
- Jesus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Berlin Wall Online - Chronicle of the Berlin Wall history includes an archive of photographs and tex
History of Berlin Wall in texts and photographs including facts, construction, measurements, timelime, escape attempts, maps, photographs and an archive - World War 2 Timeline 1939-1945 - Worldwar-2.net
Worldwar-2.net is a complete World War 2 Timeline, detailing every event, day by day through World War II from 1939 through to 1945. - World War I - Trenches on the Web
An History of the Great War of 1914 to 1918 presented in internet format. Contains various articles and features from authors around the world. Please be aware this is a hi-bandwidth site. - Johannes Gutenberg - Printing Press
In 1450 Johannes Gutenberg made his first printing press. - Prophet Muhammad (s.a.a.w.)
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.a.w.) - Pax Romana
Resources about Pax Romana - Renaissance
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Loved the hub. I can tell you put a lot of time into writing it along with research!
Nothing from the Far East?
Wow! I was just talking about this subject today...you did a wonderful job condensing so many years of history and embellishing them with perfect pictures! thanks, Rgraf!
Rgraf!
An excellent presentation and I appreciate the work you put into it. It is a very interesting read and the selected complementary photo's are awesome.
Forever His,
Well done. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I guess every person would have their own list of historically important events. In my list I might include an decisive battle in the life of Gengis Khan because 1 in 200 men alive today are decendents of his.
Very nice hub, the complementary videos and photos where also a good companion. You made very interesting choices here, most of them centered in Western history.
I agree with godgrant's opinion "I guess every person would have their own list of historically important events". In that light, and following the centrality of Western history... Could the so called "discovery" of the "New World" and its conquest and colonization, be regarded as on of the "Most Important Moments in History"? Could be also be considered the Haitian Revolution (since it went further than the French and the American Revolution in the delivery of the ideal of Freedom and Equality)?
Just a thought...
Good Hub, invites to reflection. ; )
I like your choices.
Very interesting and fun to read! There were things that you've included that indeed would be unpopular on other lists, but as you said, you cannot look at history with a one-sided view and manage to pick out the appropriate Top Ten.
Great hub, very thought provoking. WKopping asked the question regarding the far east. Might I suggest Marco Polo's expedition to the far east that opened up Oriental/Occidental trade via the "Silk Road"?
Without this happening, we would not have so many things that we take for granted. Three of the events cited in your Top 10 - the American Revolution, World War I and World War II - would not have been possible had it not been for the availability of that Chinese invention, gunpowder.
Fantastic job and the history you selected took alot of thought. Then you did such a good job putting it all together so that it was very understandable and interesting. You hit the nail on the head considering the great subjects you wrote about. If you have time and want to you could do another one with ten more greatest moments in history. one on the far east would make a great subject matter. I will be back to visit again when I have more time. Thank you so much for your great work and in depth information you included.
Great hub! I think you chose the top ten very well. Of course a valid argument stands for many other events.
The American Revolution also inspired the French and many Latin American countries to revolt as well, shortly after the States' success.
Great Hub RGraf, a mammoth undertaking and never likely to please all but I think in the main you hit the key events. Any list is always going to be difficult to get everyone on board but you've done a grand job.
An interesting, useful hub. Thanks to the author.
But it enlightens the western world only. The other side of the world, the eastern nations, India, China and Japan has not been taken into account. More than half of humanity lives here. Here are some important events, which have affected the history of the entire world.
1.The ascendance of Chengizkhan in Mongolia;
2.The invasion of Alexander of Greece;
3.The battle of Panipat between Babar and Lodi (1526);
4.The establishment of East India Company (1600);
5.The battle of Tsushima (1805), between Japan and Russia; (the entire Russian Navy was destroyed by Japan)
6.Independence of India and other countries in 1947 and after.
7.Establishment of UNO in 1945;
8.India Pakistan war of 1971;
9.Annexation of Tibet by China and continuing cruelties;
10.Dropping of atom bomb on Japan.
Without these events, there will be no history.
i like your choises but you could have put in the Battle of Culloden
I agree that picking a top-10 list from history is tough, but I like your choices. There are so many others that I would like to have seen included, but then it would no longer be a top-10 list!
I think your first three are most intriguing. I like them because of a common theme I've held dear for some years. The democratizing effect of the American Revolution, the religious freedom created by the Reformation, and the philosophy of the Nazarene teacher all ameliorate the effects of ego. With these, civilization has matured to a level conducive to great discoveries. To a degree, the Renaissance and Gutenberg's printing press fueled this effect by democratizing ideas. In some respects, these may have bolstered ego, but the way to sanity is not always a straight path. All of these helped in the creation of a safer, saner civilization. Perhaps the United Nations, too, helps in that regard. Anything that subordinates the ego of an individual or a nation might help in the cause of responsible freedom.
Excellent Hub! Thanks!
Great hub. Very insightful. You made some sound choices. I also enjoyed the videos and the art work phenomenal. My husband will certainly enjoy this hub. Teresa
Excellent presentation and arguments - your choices are interesting and well-reasoned.
Outstanding article! The photos are magnificent, I don't know how you get them to download so sharp and clear. Good luck in the vote! Diogenes.
Beautiful article, I have recently shared this with some of my students. I really like how you have broken each moment down and clearly explained why they are such important moments in our history. Great use of media as well!
An interesting hub but somehow you missed the Industrial Revolution! Nothing changed the world more completely. It is revolution that is ongoing and transforming the world at a faster and faster rate every decade.
Excellent! I would add the sack of Rome. Yes, the Industrial Revolution was important as is the computer age but the traumas that mankind lives through and learns from. The era of diversity acceptance - real acceptance is still in progress throughout the world but JFK did make an important change in US society.
Wonderful Hub! A great Hub to share with all - students, coworkers, friends, family.
Great hub! Very detailed and interesting.
I think, referring to the past 2-3 weeks, the catastrophe in Japan fits in this list of important moments.
History in a nutshell with illustrations, very good thanks.
I feel like the Great Depression should be included on this list. The impacts of this global crisis was far reached and even has it's impacts today.
Quite a collection. Very fascinating hub.
Good work. I was however looking for 'moments' in a more literal sense, as the detonation of the first atomic bomb, ancient asteroid impact etc.
What about the shots in Sarajevo, they started WWI which lead to WW2 which lead to the Cold war.
Wow, so nice historical hub :-) Very good, specially the chapter concerning Berlin and wall.
I think that if you're listing 10 most important events/moments that you shouldn't go near religion or individual movements as really they are only a reflection upon the cultures that were created by other events and influences.
Why not look a bit deeper. For example the battle of Plataea which actually preserved western civilization and positioned it so that it would eventually become the dominant culture in the world; without plataea we wouldnt have had a single on of the events you have described here.
That put things into perspective for you?
You make a very valid point and I was with you until your last condescending line. In the future, please be more respectful of other people's opinions and just show respect for other people's work.
Great and informative hub.An excellent presentation.I appreciate your great work.Well done
If an effort was made to do this, then it was a poor one,
This starts with The American revolution, and the paragraph starts
good, but the 3rd sentence is so obviously wrong, that it indicated
to me, that the authors level of scrutiny, understanding, and of explaining history,
is too poor for me to consider further reading,..this one sentence, instantly DISCREDITS THE WHOLE LIST.
"The American Revolution (1775-1783) took many ideas from the early civilizations of Greece and Rome and combined them with the Christian Bible to revolt against an authority that was unbending."
...if you don't understand WHY THIS IS COMPLETELY WRONG, then go back,and study some more,...I'm not not going to bother, and explain something so evident,...
I feel this is quite a poor list; I would view the Russian and French revolutions as having been much more monumental on the world overall than the American one. Not to mention that, as the above comment points out, your arguments about the influence of the Ancient world are poorly thought out.
I also feel like the publication of the Principa Mathmatica and the Origins of the Species were more than a little important in the grand scheme of things; and where is the inclusion of the Industrial Revolution?
Also, I feel that the Greco-Persian relations deserve a mention- the Persian War, or the campaign of Alexander of Macedonia, which is considered the beginning of the violent relationship between the West and the Middle East.
Just a thought or two, but your list seems poorly thought out; perhaps a little less concentration on illustrations and a little more on actual history?
Really? Nothing about the moon landing? That was the single greatest achievement in the history of mankind
None of these would have ever happened without the first nameless person planting a seed and coming back to the same place to reap what was planted. This was the trigger of civilization. There are no pretty pictures of this moment, no personal accounts and no fancy philosophy about it. THE NAMELESS SOWER is the most important person at the most important event in history.
this didnt help at ALL!!!!
comments got a bit bitchy towards the end there. just saying this guy evidently spent a while on this, so dont slate his work. i guess there could of been more historical moments but its not called "10000 most important moments in history" is it? (p.s it is agreeable that some research needs moar accuracy.)
Want to invite to you visit my Hubs every Monday evening for History's Mysteries Mondays. Will be beginning a look back at WWII, and what happened - kind of a "rest of the story" type hub.
Appreciate your input in your article. well thought out, and presented. Thanks.
I'm sure it was hard to narrow it down to only 10. Nice job with this hub.
What about the worst events of the reformation era? I have read much about the best or great events, does anyone know what are the worst events?
i think you did a really good job. I feel it would be impossible to only pick 10, but religious one being the main ones.
i think the fall of the birtish empire is a key event in time. The Ottoman empire also had control of alot more than people first begin to know about. I also watched a documentary on how the west became superpowers, when a chinese exploration boat was cancelled when a new emperor came to power, this event was key when china failed to explore early enough before the portugese and other western countries in places like east africa etc.
The discovery of penicillin, the defeat of Bonaparte, the invention of computer chips, the invention of the world-wide-web, the wheel, Drake's voyage around the world ... Just some more to add to those already mentioned.
It is perhaps naive to try to sum up so many significant events in a simple list, but it certainly gets one thinking. This is a great Hub because it has stirred up a lot of debate and emotion.
great share mate , i appreciate the effort and time you have put to find a lot about history and writing this hub , i came to know a lot more with this hub
Excellent list!
I would argue the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand as one of the single, most important events in human history. That event alone triggered World War I which embarrassed Germany, causing the uprising of Nazionalism, Hitler's rise to power, WWII, the drawing of national boundaries in the Middle East (which is the reason for the current state of the Middle East and the spread of Islamic extremism), the rise and spread of Communism, the Vietnam War, the Fall of the Berlin Wall, the War on Terror, and the list goes on. Excellent, excellent list though. Adding that event would be the only change I would make to it. Any comments?
Black Death amyone?
the pic of prophet muhammad is not real.and till nw there is no valid evidences that muhammad sahab look like that,so i think you should not post it,nt should not misguide the reader,only just to earn profit.
Please refrain from personal attacks. I'm not writing this for profit but for the love of writing and history. And no one really knows what Jesus looked like or hundreds of other historical figures. There is nothing misguided here.
Your list is full of bias...I probably would put little if any of these moments on my list. Berlin wall? You know communism is still alive and well...it's called China. And you have a lot of religious undertones in your writing. Religion is not important enough to get on the top ten list unless you believe the world is only 6000 years old.
I applaud your efforts and enjoyed reading through the list. I am sad to see so many egotistical criticisms over an article that was a self-proclaimed "humble attempt" to simplify the entire history of humankind. Obviously there will be differing opinions since there are far too many moments to capture in one short list. Every single person has a unique experience and perspective which causes them to be biased in their choices to some degree--regardless of how "unbiased" we attempt to be. People need to be a little less arrogant and hostile about their personal takes on world history and consider the value in the author's compilation of 10 inarguably defining moments in world history. Each of us has the freedom and ability to compile our own "Top 10 List" and shed light on 10 other amazing moments if we so choose. I loved the article, and I appreciate the time and thought you put into it. Thanks so much for posting!
A great read, thanks for putting so much thought into a list like this and not ordering them I think was a good choice.
Two events I would have added though I won't get into which ones I would drop would have been Alexander's Campaign and the resulting Hellenistic empires that forever shaped our world.
Also the rise and reign of Augustus who set the standard for Roman Statehood for hundreds of years. After Ceaser had been killed and Augustus in the end won the civil war that resulted. He did something amazing, he ruled over a mostly peaceful empire for longer than most people's lifespans.
He lived to be a very old man for ancient times and gave the Romans a stable model for government that lasted until the end days of the Roman Empire. One of the most wide spread empires that ever existed in land area, cultural impact, and longevity.
Great Hub, Voted Up.
very interesting
Putting a complementary picture of our noble prophet Muhammad(SAW) is disrespectful. So please i suggest it should be removed. Thnx
Kindly remove the dipictions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as a sign of respect. Thank you.
I THINK THAT FARMING IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT IN ALL OF HUMAN HISTORY
Jesus of Nazareth, Gutenberg's Printing Press, and Muhammad aren't really moments or events.
How is "history" defined? Does it start 5,500 years ago, when writing was invented? Does it start 200,000 years ago, when Homo Sapiens evolved? Does it start 2,500,000 years ago, when humans (that is, genus Homo, not species Sapiens) evolved in Africa? Does it start 4,533,000,000 years ago, when Theia collided into Proto-Earth, forming the Earth and Moon? Does it start 13,700,000,000 years ago, when the universe started in a Big Bang?
RGraf - I am sending this e-mail with your own words
“Please refrain from personal attacks. I'm not writing this for profit but for the love of writing and history. And no one really knows what Jesus looked like or hundreds of other historical figures. There is nothing misguided here.”
I appreciate your efforts………. During the reading of revolutionary events, suddenly, I saw the pictures of Mohammad (PBUH) and Jesus.
Now, I ask you a question, “WHO IS THE PERSON IN THE WHOLE WORLD, WHO SAW THE MOHAMMAD (PBUH) AND JESUS? FURTHER, WHO WILL GIVE THE PROOF THAT MOHAMMAD (PBPH) AND JESUS HAD SAME FACIAL AND BODILY FEATURES WITH THE GIVEN PICTURES?
As per your words, if you are not misguiding to anyone, definitely you would never create the environment for misguiding.
I, once again request you, please delete these pictures immediately. I don’t want to send further e-mail in this connection Thanks & Regards
I would also give the reference of following comments
nazia 4 weeks ago
The pics of prophet Muhammad is not real. and till nw there is no valid evidences that Muhammad sahab look like that, so i think you should not post it, nt should not misguide the reader, only just
Abubakar sa'id 3 weeks ago
Putting a complementary picture of our noble prophet Muhammad(SAW) is disrespectful. So please i suggest it should be removed. Thnx
Anonymous 9 days ago
Kindly remove the dipic
Tony 3 months ago
If an effort was made to do this, then it was a poor one, This starts with The American revolution, and the paragraph starts good, but the 3rd sentence is so obviously wrong, that it indicated to me, that the authors level of scrutiny, understanding, and of explaining history, is too poor for me to consider further reading, this one sentence, instantly DISCREDITS THE WHOLE LIST. "The American Revolution (1775-1783) took many ideas from the early civilizations of Greece and Rome and combined them with the Christian Bible to revolt against an authority that was unbending." ...if you don't understand WHY THIS IS COMPLETELY WRONG, then go back, and study some more,...I'm not not going to bother, and explain something so evident,...
tions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as a sign of respect. Thank you.
avi 3 days ago
Jesus of Nazareth, Gutenberg's Printing Press, and Muhammad aren't really moments or events.
How is "history" defined? Does it start 5,500 years ago, when writing was invented? Does it start 200,000 years ago, when Homo Sapiens evolved? Does it start 2,500,000 years ago, when humans (that is, genus Homo, not species Sapiens) evolved in Africa? Does it start 4,533,000,000 years ago, when Theia collided into Proto-Earth, forming the Earth and Moon? Does it start 13,700,000,000 years ago, when the universe started in a Big Bang?
History, in and of itself, is huge. There is no way to please everyone. That said, the comments of some readers are plain ugly and self-serving. For example, if there is a complaint about any of the pictures, go to the source of the picture. RGraf did not draw these herself.
Moments of history often include many things. Muhammed and Jesus of Nazareth as individuals had a huge effect on people and history that remains evident today (just read your own comments folks!). There is nothing wrong with this article. Whether you agree or disagree, this is one person's opinion of 10 moments or events in history that have an ongoing effect. There are many things, that to me personally, have a larger effect on history, but that's from a personal point of view. The events listed are important in the list of history because each and every one impact more than one thing and continue to do so.
I feel that if there is disrespect here, it is from the comments, not the original author. Agree or disagree, but knock off sounding like superior beings, I doubt you qualify. I know I don't, but have little patience with folks that act superior. If you think I'm talking about "you" I probably am. Now attack me . . . believe me, it won't bother me. You have no control over my thoughts :)
cool i love it.lol
An interesting list and no doubt all of us would probably come up with a somewhat different list. The idea that democracy comes from the US, via their revolution against the British, is not true and was simply an advncement from Greek, Roman and French and English thinking - Magna Carta would also have to be included. Although Jesus and Mohammed have changed the world they are not they are not moments or events.
How can you leave out the Napoleonic wars!
It has shaped modern Europe and who knows what our world would be like without it
I cannot believe you would connect terrorism with Islam. I'm an English undergraduate student at KCL and a protestant Christian, but even I can't stand ridiculous stereotypical claims like the one you've done here.
Are there NO christian terrorists? Do you know the ACTUAL reason for increased airport security throughout the world? How can you say that a prophet from the 7th century has a "terrorist branch"??
I respected this article until I understood how closed-minded the author must be.
The bible does not say the earth is 6000 years old, it states humanity is. So before some of you start bashing this good work i suggest you do extensive research and dont just read at the surface or listen to what everyone else says. Thankyou
Pretty cool, but I agree with only the US Rev, WW2, unity via Christian and Islam expansion, and Renaissance, though not in the same order. As a history fanatic, I think you should reconsider the rest of the list since compared to other things it only affected a small fraction within the Western World. The Reconquista + Age of Discoveries (1492) that opened up a New World to give us more knowledge and research to human kind and through the US exploiting the deathly peace and rich lands combo affected so many of the important events, the four decades of the Cold War and its impact on technology and the three worlds theory (1st, 2nd, 3rd), arguably the conquest of precolumbian civs by the Spaniards (though it would happen one way or another by Spain or another europower), and the future era we will see when another one of these is done are the only ones I deem worth being on the Top 10.
Also, I read a comment from someone from like India, and his list sucks. None of those things changed the world, just India. Im not trying to be eurocentralistic, but the reason the West is highlighted on the list is because it hit a historical lucky streak that let it dominate the world. A small but fertile continent to fully settle quickly, easy access to the mediterranean, mountains isolating powerful invaders at the eastern planes, roman (Western) infrastructure and a common ethnicity+religion for easy understanding and trade of goods and knowledge, Renaissance, Age of Enlightenment, and overkilling with the virtual gift of God that was the New ''World''/Western ''Hemisphere''/lottery win, it was luck all around. Don't try and change history by putting India on the West's pedal, eventually we will all be an utopia ruled by the UN after WW#; can't wait, peace.
alamgir
the big bang theory is only one of many theories as to how the world was created. I resect your opinion but it is not the only theory. I believe that there must have been a supreme being to create the universe. It is far to complex to have happened by chance. I am not saying that it was God(i think it was but that is because of my belief). Scienintists are beggining to think this is a possability.
For example, Look at the human body. The brain alone is so complicated we cannot fathom how it works. And also were did what evolved from come from? And were did the planets come from to collide creating the big bang? Do you bielve they were just there?
also i have just done some research and discovered that in 1855 rudolf virchow determined that all living cells must come from other cells. This makes evolution impossible since 1855. We(the human race) must be pretty stupid to still be thinking of evolution.
Great stuff. I wonder whether 9/11 needs to be added to the list now?
what a bunch of petty comments.everyone crying like children over this and that.
grow past your silliness, children.
Iam going to have to agree with Mr. K
Hello, I was just bored and skimming through; yet, one problem... Gutenberg did not "invent" the printing press. Yes we all learned these things in high school just as Columbus "discovered" America or John Smith actually married Pocahontas... However, the printing press before Gutenberg was actually popular in Asian culture. It was made from wood and spun in a less efficient manner than the printing press. Think of it as wood blocks with ink on them for the Chinese characters. Also, most of the time people that used this version of printing did so by hand i.e. moving the wooden blocks. Gutenberg simply reinvented the wheel and most historians use the term "perfected the printing press." I can not wait to teach history because I was very upset when I went to college and had to relearn everything. So frustrating... Well I hope this top of my head comment helped someone. :)
First of all, I really appreciate your efforts but i have 2 things to say :
First, in Islam it is dishonorable to show pics of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)so would you please delete them in respect to our faith
Second , ISLAM is the most peaceful religion and from Islam's perspective (and many others)we condemn terrorism and see that terrorists left Islam as they murder innocent individuals so would you please delete the terrorist part
about Islam and remind people with the benefits of Islam in e.g. Science or Mathematics
Thank you.
you have done a wonderful job RGraf, though we know all these things in general, but never thought about the effect it has on humanity as a whole.
Putting all these events together in a presentable manner and then explaining it in a language easy to understand is a great job RGraf.
Regards
this is not very well orgainised and what happened to thomas e ediison and nikiloa tesla
ahhhhh boring!?!
I thought you did a great job and covered everything in a unique way. The fall of communism more or less covered the Post World War, and your events over ruled all other events going on at the time in terms of World wide cause and eventual effect. Interesting that you picked Gutenberg because with out him Martin Luther and the reformation stood no chance. They were the best 10 choices and of course if more could be added I imagine ancient Greece, Israel, China, Egypt, India and Babylon may have been on the list.
what about when man united beat arsenal 8-2
waoh amazing
Some great stuff here, but i agree with those that think the fall of russian communism should be up there! It healed a truly international divison. Also i'm suprised nobody has suggested the Age of Enlightenment, the science, the literature - it shaped modern society in a absolutely profound way, and still hasn't been mentioned ? Bizarre, but a good hub non-the-less :)
A good list, but I think a list made by someone in Asia, Africa or anywhere East of the Arabian Peninsula would look a lot different.
9 11
Thank you for the information, that was quite intriguing, though i must admit I have different opinions on a few.
Why was UNO so important for history?????
The 10 Greatest Moments in History Yet to Happen
1) First Probable Recognition – discovery of high levels of oxygen in the atmosphere of a Goldilocks Plant as an indication of probable existence of biological life similar in nature to that on our home planet earth.
2) First Observation – discovery of evidence of current or past intelligent life that has or had the ability to communicate beyond their own solar system. Assumption: such intelligent life does not exist in anywhere other than earth in our own solar system.
3) First Contact – bilateral communication with another intelligent life.
4) Bionics – the merger of biological systems with technology. Likely seen as the development of an interface between cells and transistors (chips). This development will provide the means to replace biological parts with manufactured parts. For example a bionic eye or artificial human memory.
5) Near Infinite Micro Transactions – the expansion of electronic commerce to the point where all transactions are electronic and unlimited transactions can be processed in a finite period of time. This development will replace the need to store wealth in money or credit and pave the way for pricing at factional levels of those used currently. Assumption: Free energy will have been realized prior to Infinite Micro Transactions.
6) Free Energy – the discovery of mass produced, low cost, safe and sustainable energy such that the current economics of transportation and food production are no longer valid.
7) First Departure – The sun and our solar system have a finite life span. For the longevity of human life to extend beyond the existence of the solar system, such life, or a future evolution of life will need to establish itself in a suitable habitat beyond this solar system. Interstellar travel will be required.
8) Controlled Evolution of the Human Genome – Development of the ability to control the evolution of DNA such that genetic defects can be removed prior to the moment of conception. In this item I am proposing a methodology where parents would be able to remove or prevent defects in their own DNA from being passed on to their children.
9) Travel at near the speed of light – I believe current science tells us that travel beyond the speed of light (Warp Speed) is not possible. Assuming this remains true, items Free Energy and First Departure may enable/require travel at near light speed though this item is not required or an automatic result of these other items.
10) Universal access to knowledge – this item maybe comprised of several elements: a universal means to store knowledge; a common language for storage; and unlimited, free access to the knowledge store. Think Wikipedia on a planetary level, with the ability for anyone to store any information for retrieval by anyone regardless of location, culture or socioeconomic status.
Have others? Let us know.
i hate history its soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo boring how do people handle this kinda crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it was itresting
i appreciate your hard work, and i deeply thank you, but i don't know if you follow on and read others comments. You noticed that people in here are saying Please. they are appreciating your work and asking you to remove any images of the Prophet (PBUH), because now body knows how he actually looks like, except people during that time. so please delete those images. thank you
Very nice list and I urge you not to listen to he dumb islam people requesting you to remove some pictures... FREE SPEECH !!!!
If anyone is interested, I have also made a list of important events throughout history -
Can you please remove that picture that states that in the picture the man is Muhammad. As a Muslim this is very wrong, and we don't know how Muhammad looked like. This is wrong, you should do your research properly and know who`s picture you are posting. Please remove the picture.
Pam 2 years ago
Very interesting choice and arguments! I would also suggest that some natural events would qualify such as the black death and the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883 that lead to global crop failures & famine, & may have been a key factor in the fomentation prior to WWI.
Just a couple thoughts on how natural events have been key.
Loved the article!!