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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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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2019 C.E. August 15China’s solar power is now cheaper than grid electricity, scientists reveal
Scientists found that all of the 344 cities they looked at could have cheaper electricity powered by solar energy, according to the study published in the journal Nature Energy.
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2019 C.E. August 15Scientists in South Africa discover a cure for the deadliest strain of tuberculosis
The new drug regimen tested has shown a 90% success rate against a deadly plague, extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis.
-
2019 C.E. August 14Japan records lowest suicide rate since statistics were first kept in 1978
2018 marks the ninth consecutive with a year-on-year decrease in suicides in Japan and the first time in 37 years for the total to fall below 21,000.
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2019 C.E. August 14Oregon mandates cage-free eggs by 2024
The new law mandates that all eggs produced or sold in the state must come from cage-free hens by 2024.
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2019 C.E. August 13Illinois passes law requiring LGBT history curriculum be taught in schools
The law requires all schools in the state include "the role and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of this country and this State" in official textbooks.
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2019 C.E. August 13Youth literacy rate in Bangladesh soars to 93%
Youth literacy rates in Bangladesh have risen to almost 93%, up from 62% in 2006 and 45% in 1991.
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2019 C.E. August 12Beijing breathes cleanest air on record
Beijing reported the lowest level of air pollutants in the first half this year since the city started recording related data 35 years ago.
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2019 C.E. August 12Simone Biles becomes the first gymnast to land a double-double dismount
The 22-year-old just became the first gymnast to ever attempt and land a double-twisting, double somersault dismount off the balance beam.
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2019 C.E. August 9Fiji announces radical climate action plan
The act will include tighter restrictions on the use of plastics, a framework for Fiji to reduce its emissions to net-zero by 2050, the introduction of a carbon credits scheme, and more.
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2019 C.E. August 9Researchers develop method to convert heat into light that could significantly boost solar efficiency
Recycling the thermal energy from solar cells using carbon nanotube technology could increase the efficiency from 22% to 80% according to the researchers.
-
2019 C.E. August 15China’s solar power is now cheaper than grid electricity, scientists reveal
Scientists found that all of the 344 cities they looked at could have cheaper electricity powered by solar energy, according to the study published in the journal Nature Energy.
-
2019 C.E. August 15Scientists in South Africa discover a cure for the deadliest strain of tuberculosis
The new drug regimen tested has shown a 90% success rate against a deadly plague, extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis.
-
2019 C.E. August 14Japan records lowest suicide rate since statistics were first kept in 1978
2018 marks the ninth consecutive with a year-on-year decrease in suicides in Japan and the first time in 37 years for the total to fall below 21,000.
-
2019 C.E. August 14Oregon mandates cage-free eggs by 2024
The new law mandates that all eggs produced or sold in the state must come from cage-free hens by 2024.
-
2019 C.E. August 13Illinois passes law requiring LGBT history curriculum be taught in schools
The law requires all schools in the state include "the role and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of this country and this State" in official textbooks.
-
2019 C.E. August 13Youth literacy rate in Bangladesh soars to 93%
Youth literacy rates in Bangladesh have risen to almost 93%, up from 62% in 2006 and 45% in 1991.
-
2019 C.E. August 12Beijing breathes cleanest air on record
Beijing reported the lowest level of air pollutants in the first half this year since the city started recording related data 35 years ago.
-
2019 C.E. August 12Simone Biles becomes the first gymnast to land a double-double dismount
The 22-year-old just became the first gymnast to ever attempt and land a double-twisting, double somersault dismount off the balance beam.
-
2019 C.E. August 9Fiji announces radical climate action plan
The act will include tighter restrictions on the use of plastics, a framework for Fiji to reduce its emissions to net-zero by 2050, the introduction of a carbon credits scheme, and more.
-
2019 C.E. August 9Researchers develop method to convert heat into light that could significantly boost solar efficiency
Recycling the thermal energy from solar cells using carbon nanotube technology could increase the efficiency from 22% to 80% according to the researchers.
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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.