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
Topics
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Countries
State/Province
Institution
Sources
Filters
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 2Oceans can be restored to former glory within 30 years, say scientists
The team believes restoring ocean health would require billions of dollars of investments, but the benefits of doing so would likely be 10 times the cost.
-
2020 C.E.Chinese company to invest $2.5b in world’s largest solar panel factory
To be completed in several phases, the facility once fully completed will be able to produce 60 gigawatts (GW) of solar panels every year, which likely equates to well over 150 million panels.
-
2020 C.E. April 1New coronavirus test provides results in as little as 5 minutes
The new point-of-care test, having just received an emergency-use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) begins shipping today, April 1.
-
2020 C.E. March 31Seychelles extends marine protection area to twice the size of Great Britain
The move fulfills the country’s long-standing pledge to safeguard 30% of its marine waters.
-
2020 C.E. March 31Social distancing is slowing coronavirus infections in the U.S., new data suggest
Kinsa Health, a company that produces internet-connected thermometers, first created a national map of fever levels in the U.S. on March 22 and was able to spot the trend within a day.
-
2020 C.E. March 30MIT to publish plans for an emergency ventilator that can be built for $400
The ventilator shortage is a key barrier worldwide to effectively managing the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Now, teams around the world can use MIT’s plans to make them for less than $500.
-
2020 C.E. March 30Standing Rock Sioux Tribe prevails as federal judge strikes down DAPL permits
The Court found the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated the National Environmental Policy Act when it affirmed federal permits for the pipeline originally issued in 2016.
-
2020 C.E. March 27Coronavirus home testing to be made available to millions in the UK
Millions of 15-minute home coronavirus tests are set to be available for delivery to people self-isolating, according to Public Health England, in a move that could restore many people’s lives to a semblance of normality.
-
2020 C.E. March 27World’s wind power capacity up by fifth after record year
The Global Wind Energy Council found that wind power capacity grew by 60.4 gigawatts, or 19%, compared with 2018, in one of the strongest years on record for the global wind power industry.
-
2020 C.E. March 26Global efforts on ozone help reverse southern jet stream damage
Up until about 2000 it had been moving southwards towards the Antarctic, affecting storm tracks and rainfall over South America, east Africa and Australia.
-
2020 C.E. April 2Oceans can be restored to former glory within 30 years, say scientists
The team believes restoring ocean health would require billions of dollars of investments, but the benefits of doing so would likely be 10 times the cost.
-
2020 C.E.Chinese company to invest $2.5b in world’s largest solar panel factory
To be completed in several phases, the facility once fully completed will be able to produce 60 gigawatts (GW) of solar panels every year, which likely equates to well over 150 million panels.
-
2020 C.E. April 1New coronavirus test provides results in as little as 5 minutes
The new point-of-care test, having just received an emergency-use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) begins shipping today, April 1.
-
2020 C.E. March 31Seychelles extends marine protection area to twice the size of Great Britain
The move fulfills the country’s long-standing pledge to safeguard 30% of its marine waters.
-
2020 C.E. March 31Social distancing is slowing coronavirus infections in the U.S., new data suggest
Kinsa Health, a company that produces internet-connected thermometers, first created a national map of fever levels in the U.S. on March 22 and was able to spot the trend within a day.
-
2020 C.E. March 30MIT to publish plans for an emergency ventilator that can be built for $400
The ventilator shortage is a key barrier worldwide to effectively managing the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Now, teams around the world can use MIT’s plans to make them for less than $500.
-
2020 C.E. March 30Standing Rock Sioux Tribe prevails as federal judge strikes down DAPL permits
The Court found the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated the National Environmental Policy Act when it affirmed federal permits for the pipeline originally issued in 2016.
-
2020 C.E. March 27Coronavirus home testing to be made available to millions in the UK
Millions of 15-minute home coronavirus tests are set to be available for delivery to people self-isolating, according to Public Health England, in a move that could restore many people’s lives to a semblance of normality.
-
2020 C.E. March 27World’s wind power capacity up by fifth after record year
The Global Wind Energy Council found that wind power capacity grew by 60.4 gigawatts, or 19%, compared with 2018, in one of the strongest years on record for the global wind power industry.
-
2020 C.E. March 26Global efforts on ozone help reverse southern jet stream damage
Up until about 2000 it had been moving southwards towards the Antarctic, affecting storm tracks and rainfall over South America, east Africa and Australia.
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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.