Prehistory
Toumai (Sahelanthropus tchadensis): The Seven-Million-Year Skull
The cranium was named Sahelanthropus tchadensis in 2002 and is widely treated as one of the oldest possible hominins, although its status remains debated.
All Articles
Every Chronicle article on world history, newest first: battles, empires, disasters, discoveries and revolutions.
Prehistory
Dinosaur Provincial Park: Alberta's Late Cretaceous Fossil Field
One of the richest dinosaur fossil sites known, protected as a provincial park in 1955 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
Prehistory
Formation of the Solar System: Birth of the Sun and Planets
The Sun ignited at the centre of a spinning disc of gas and dust, and within tens of millions of years the planets, moons, asteroids and comets had formed.
Modern Era
New Madrid Earthquakes (1811-1812): Shaking the Mississippi
Three very large earthquakes and thousands of aftershocks reshaped the land, created Reelfoot Lake and led to the first US federal disaster relief act in 1815.
Modern Era
Invasion of Poland (1939): How World War II Began in Europe
Poland was defeated and partitioned between Germany and the Soviet Union, and Britain and France declared war on Germany, beginning the Second World War in Europe.
Modern Era
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo (1914)
The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne and his wife were killed, triggering the July Crisis that led to the First World War.
Modern Era
Sokoto Caliphate (1804): Usman dan Fodio's Fulani Jihad
The Hausa kingdoms were overthrown and replaced by the Sokoto Caliphate, a federation of emirates that lasted until the British conquest of 1903.
Modern Era
Louisiana Purchase (1803): How the United States Doubled in Size
France sold its claim to Louisiana to the United States for about 15 million dollars, roughly doubling the area of the young republic.
Modern Era
Voltaic Pile (1800): Alessandro Volta Invents the Battery
Volta's pile gave scientists their first source of continuous electric current, launching electrochemistry and the study of electric circuits.
Modern Era
Coup of 18 Brumaire (1799): How Napoleon Seized Power in France
The Directory was abolished and replaced by a provisional Consulate, which led to the Constitution of Year VIII and Bonaparte's rule as First Consul.
Middle Ages
Tiwanaku: The Andean Civilization by Lake Titicaca
Tiwanaku became the dominant city and religious centre of the southern Andes before declining around 1000–1150.
Middle Ages
Christianisation of Nubia (543): Nobadia, Makuria and Alodia
The three Nubian kingdoms adopted Christianity as their official religion, beginning a Christian Nubian civilisation that lasted until the 15th century.