Contemporary
Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989): The Night the Border Opened
East Germans crossed freely into West Berlin; the Wall was dismantled from 1990 and Germany was reunified on 3 October 1990.
All Articles
Every Chronicle article on world history, newest first: battles, empires, disasters, discoveries and revolutions.
Contemporary
Apollo 11 Moon Landing (1969): The First Humans on the Moon
Armstrong and Aldrin landed and walked on the Moon and the crew returned safely to Earth, fulfilling the goal set by President Kennedy in 1961.
Modern Era
Sinking of the Titanic (1912): The Night the Unsinkable Sank
The Titanic sank in under three hours; more than 1,500 people died, leading to new international rules on lifeboats, radio watches and ice patrols.
Modern Era
Wright Brothers' First Flight (1903): The Birth of Aviation
The Wright Flyer made four powered, controlled, sustained flights, the longest covering 852 feet (260 m) in 59 seconds.
Modern Era
Krakatoa Eruption of 1883: The Volcano Heard Across the World
Most of the island collapsed into a caldera; tsunamis killed an officially recorded 36,417 people and the ash and aerosols affected weather worldwide.
Early Modern
Storming of the Bastille (1789): The Day That Began a Revolution
Insurgents captured the Bastille, and royal authority in Paris collapsed in favour of the new revolutionary order.
Early Modern
Great Fire of London (1666): How the City Burned and Rebuilt
Most of the walled City of London was destroyed, leading to a rebuilding in brick and stone and a new St Paul's Cathedral.
Early Modern
Martin Luther's 95 Theses (1517): The Start of the Reformation
Luther's challenge to indulgences spread rapidly in print and grew into the Protestant Reformation, dividing Western Christianity.
Early Modern
Columbus's First Voyage (1492): Crossing the Atlantic
Columbus reached the Caribbean and returned to Spain, opening lasting contact between Europe and the Americas.
Middle Ages
Fall of Constantinople (1453): End of the Byzantine Empire
Ottoman victory; Constantinople was captured, the Byzantine Empire ended and the city became the Ottoman capital.
Middle Ages
Black Death (1346–1353): The Plague That Ravaged Europe
An estimated 30–60% of Europe's population died, causing deep social, economic and religious change.
Middle Ages
Magna Carta (1215): King John, the Barons and the Rule of Law
King John granted a charter limiting royal power; it was annulled within weeks, but later reissues made it a lasting foundation of English law.