~541 million years agoScience & Technology
Cambrian Period
The Cambrian explosion saw the rapid diversification of most major animal phyla, fundamentally transforming life on Earth.
Global
History, distilled.
A curated record of the events that shaped civilizations — from antiquity to yesterday.
All Events
Timeline view →~445 million years agoNatural Disasters
End-Ordovician Mass Extinction
The first of the "Big Five" mass extinctions wiped out an estimated 85% of marine species.
Global
~10,000 BCENatural Disasters
End of the Last Ice Age
The retreat of glaciers marked the end of the Pleistocene and the dawn of human civilization.
Global
2560 BCEArt & Culture
Construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza
The Great Pyramid was built as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu, standing as the tallest man-made structure for over 3,800 years.
Africa
1754 BCEPolitics & Governance
Code of Hammurabi Established
One of the earliest and most complete written legal codes, established by Babylonian King Hammurabi.
Middle East
c. 1184 BCEWar & Conflict
Fall of Troy
The legendary city of Troy fell after a prolonged siege by Greek forces, as recounted in Homer's Iliad.
Europe
April 21, 753 BCEPolitics & Governance
Founding of Rome
According to legend, Romulus founded the city of Rome, which would become the center of one of history's greatest empires.
Europe
~599 BCEReligion & Philosophy
Birth of Mahavira
Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, was born, becoming a central figure in Indian spiritual tradition.
Asia
~570 BCEScience & Technology
Birth of Pythagoras
Pythagoras, the Greek mathematician and philosopher, was born on the island of Samos.
Europe
~563 BCEReligion & Philosophy
Birth of Buddha
Siddhartha Gautama, who would become the Buddha, was born in Lumbini, founding one of the world's great religions.
Asia
508 BCEPolitics & Governance
Birth of Democracy in Athens
Cleisthenes introduced democratic reforms in Athens, establishing the world's first known democracy.
Europe
~495 BCEReligion & Philosophy
Birth of Zeno of Elea
Zeno of Elea was born, later devising famous paradoxes that challenged understanding of motion, space, and infinity.
Europe