The world’s largest database of social change milestones from throughout human history
We are building the world’s largest database of social change milestones, from the first fire to today’s good news. Change is not only possible, it has happened consistently throughout human history.
Filter by era, country, topic, actor, source, and more. Submit your own milestones!
3899
social change milestones archived
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Era
- Agriculture (10000 - 3000 B.C.E.)
- Civilization (3000 B.C.E. - 500 C.E.)
- Modernity (1500 - 1945 C.E.)
- Post-classical (500 - 1500 C.E.)
- Post-modernity (1945 - 2016 C.E.)
- Prehistory (250000 - 10000 B.C.E.)
- Today (2017 C.E. - ???)
Year
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Search
Era
- Agriculture (10000 - 3000 B.C.E.)
- Civilization (3000 B.C.E. - 500 C.E.)
- Modernity (1500 - 1945 C.E.)
- Post-classical (500 - 1500 C.E.)
- Post-modernity (1945 - 2016 C.E.)
- Prehistory (250000 - 10000 B.C.E.)
- Today (2017 C.E. - ???)
Year
Topics
Region
Countries
State/Province
Institution
Sources
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2020 C.E. April 30Oxford University bans investment in fossil fuels after student campaigns
In a motion passed by Oxford’s governing body, the Congregation, which is made up of 5,500 academic and administrative members, the university is now required to cut all ties with fossil fuel firms and end future investment in these companies.
-
2020 C.E. April 30Los Angeles becomes the first major city in the US to offer free coronavirus testing for all residents
Los Angeles will offer the testing to residents regardless of whether they are experiencing symptoms, but those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms will take priority.
-
2020 C.E. April 29Indigenous group in Brazil wins decades-long battle over illegal logging
The Ashaninka indigenous community will receive $3 million in compensation and an official apology from companies. Experts said the case could serve as a legal precedent in other indigenous and environmental lawsuits in Brazil.
-
2020 C.E. April 28New York and Kentucky expand mail-in voting access
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear both signed executive orders mandating applications for absentee ballots be sent to all of their states’ voters — upon returning the applications to state officials, voters will receive ballots.
-
2020 C.E. April 28Coursera makes online catalog free for unemployed workers
Federal, state, and local government agencies in the United States and abroad that serve the unemployed can apply provide free access to Coursera’s courses—an offer that typically costs $399 per year—through September 30.
-
2020 C.E. April 27Lebanon becomes first Arab country to legalize cannabis farming for medical use
Cannabis has long been illegally farmed in the fertile Bekaa Valley and government now hopes to turn it into a legal billion-dollar trade
-
2020 C.E. April 27Sweden shutters last coal-fired generating plant two years early
A milder than expected winter led to lower demand for electricity and so the decision was made to close the entire facility now instead of waiting until 2022.
-
2020 C.E. April 24White-tailed eagles have been spotted in England for the first time in 240 years
The incredible creatures, also known as Sea Eagles, went extinct in England in the early 20th century due to illegal killing. But thanks to a pioneering project by Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, there is new hope for the majestic birds.
-
2020 C.E. April 24New fishing net technology biodegrades quickly under ultraviolet light
Scientists at Cornell University have engineered a new fishing net material that offers comparable strength to today’s solutions but can break down much more quickly when exposed to UV light.
-
2020 C.E. April 23
Oxford University begins human trials of COVID-19 vaccine
The first patients have been enrolled in human trials for a coronavirus vaccine at the historic University of Oxford after the U.K.’s Health Secretary said the country would be “throwing everything” behind the project.
-
2020 C.E. April 30Oxford University bans investment in fossil fuels after student campaigns
In a motion passed by Oxford’s governing body, the Congregation, which is made up of 5,500 academic and administrative members, the university is now required to cut all ties with fossil fuel firms and end future investment in these companies.
-
2020 C.E. April 30Los Angeles becomes the first major city in the US to offer free coronavirus testing for all residents
Los Angeles will offer the testing to residents regardless of whether they are experiencing symptoms, but those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms will take priority.
-
2020 C.E. April 29Indigenous group in Brazil wins decades-long battle over illegal logging
The Ashaninka indigenous community will receive $3 million in compensation and an official apology from companies. Experts said the case could serve as a legal precedent in other indigenous and environmental lawsuits in Brazil.
-
2020 C.E. April 28New York and Kentucky expand mail-in voting access
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear both signed executive orders mandating applications for absentee ballots be sent to all of their states’ voters — upon returning the applications to state officials, voters will receive ballots.
-
2020 C.E. April 28Coursera makes online catalog free for unemployed workers
Federal, state, and local government agencies in the United States and abroad that serve the unemployed can apply provide free access to Coursera’s courses—an offer that typically costs $399 per year—through September 30.
-
2020 C.E. April 27Lebanon becomes first Arab country to legalize cannabis farming for medical use
Cannabis has long been illegally farmed in the fertile Bekaa Valley and government now hopes to turn it into a legal billion-dollar trade
-
2020 C.E. April 27Sweden shutters last coal-fired generating plant two years early
A milder than expected winter led to lower demand for electricity and so the decision was made to close the entire facility now instead of waiting until 2022.
-
2020 C.E. April 24White-tailed eagles have been spotted in England for the first time in 240 years
The incredible creatures, also known as Sea Eagles, went extinct in England in the early 20th century due to illegal killing. But thanks to a pioneering project by Forestry England and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation, there is new hope for the majestic birds.
-
2020 C.E. April 24New fishing net technology biodegrades quickly under ultraviolet light
Scientists at Cornell University have engineered a new fishing net material that offers comparable strength to today’s solutions but can break down much more quickly when exposed to UV light.
-
2020 C.E. April 23
Oxford University begins human trials of COVID-19 vaccine
The first patients have been enrolled in human trials for a coronavirus vaccine at the historic University of Oxford after the U.K.’s Health Secretary said the country would be “throwing everything” behind the project.
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Submit a Milestone
Did we miss a social change milestone? What social progress have you seen around the world that I should include? Let us know!
NOTE: We cannot guarantee we will post all stories submitted here. We only post stories that represent milestones in human development (as opposed to “feel good” stories). We want something that would make sense to put on a timeline of human progress. For example, a story like “Random customer leaves a huge tip” isn’t a great fit. “Country X passes economic inequality reform bill” is a great fit.