Contemporary
Founding of the IPCC (1988): The UN Climate Science Panel
The IPCC became the world's main body for assessing climate change science, producing six assessment cycles and sharing the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.
All Articles
Every Chronicle article on world history, newest first: battles, empires, disasters, discoveries and revolutions.
Contemporary
Velvet Revolution (1989): Czechoslovakia's Peaceful Overthrow
The Communist Party gave up its monopoly on power, a non-communist majority government was formed and Václav Havel was elected president.
Contemporary
Watts Riots (1965): Six Days of Unrest in Los Angeles
Six days of rioting left 34 people dead and about 1,000 injured; the McCone Commission blamed unemployment, poor schools and police relations but was criticised for understating grievances.
Contemporary
Apollo 8 (1968): First Crewed Orbit of the Moon and Earthrise
The crew orbited the Moon ten times and returned safely, proving the Saturn V and Apollo spacecraft for a lunar landing.
Contemporary
Battle of Algiers 1957: Urban War in the Algerian Revolution
French paratroopers dismantled the FLN network in Algiers, but the systematic use of torture damaged France politically at home and abroad.
Contemporary
Guatemalan Coup of 1954: The CIA's Operation PBSuccess
President Arbenz resigned on 27 June 1954; Carlos Castillo Armas took power and reversed the land reform.
Ancient World
Hezekiah's Tunnel and the Siloam Inscription in Jerusalem
A 533 m rock-cut channel brought the waters of the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam, and its Hebrew inscription became one of the most important early Hebrew texts.
Ancient World
Kaminaljuyu: The Highland Maya City Beneath Guatemala City
Kaminaljuyu became the dominant city of the southern Maya highlands and a key centre for early Maya writing, art and trade.
Ancient World
Terracotta Army: The Clay Soldiers of China's First Emperor
Thousands of life-size pottery warriors, horses and chariots were buried near the First Emperor's tomb; rediscovered in 1974, they became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Ancient World
Nanda Empire: Magadha's Wealthy Dynasty Before the Mauryas
The Nandas built the largest kingdom in India up to their time but were overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya.
Ancient World
Battle of Cannae (216 BC): Hannibal's Masterpiece of Encirclement
Decisive Carthaginian victory; most of the Roman army was killed or captured, and Capua and much of southern Italy went over to Hannibal.
Ancient World
Pisistratus (561 BC): The Tyrant Who Rebuilt Ancient Athens
Pisistratus ruled Athens as tyrant until his death in 528/527 BC; his son Hippias was expelled in 510 BC, opening the way to the reforms of Cleisthenes.