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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Institution
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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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2019 C.E. January 10UK trains will run on hydrogen power within three years and produce zero emissions
For the first time ever, hydrogen-fueled trains will soon be running on UK railways.
-
2019 C.E. January 865 countries and counting ratify the Kigali Agreement to reduce HFCs
The world has taken an important step to drastically reduce the powerful greenhouse gasses hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol coming into force.
-
2019 C.E. January 8Bulgarian doctors implant world’s first 3D-printed rib
The physicians say that the 35-year-old patient is in perfect health after the procedure, and they are already planning on performing additional surgeries with the 3D-printed 'bones,' including three ribs along with a sternum.
-
2019 C.E. January 8Solar power in the Netherlands grows 50% in 2019
The share of renewables in the country's electricity consumption rose from 15% to 17% compared to the year before.
-
2019 C.E. January 45 million Indian women just made a 385-mile human chain for gender equality
The wall was a statement of gender equality, and a call to end violent protests against women trying to enter Kerala's Sabarimala temple, a pilgrimage site for Hindus.
-
2019 C.E. January 4Ikea bans all single-use plastic from its stores and restaurants
The Swedish furniture giant said it will stop selling single-use plastic products like straws, plates, cups, freezer bags, garbage bags, and plastic-coated paper plates and cups.
-
2019 C.E. January 4Mars Inc. to spend $1 billion over ten years to combat deforestation, child labor, and poverty in its cocoa supply chain
Under the new sustainability scheme - which will cost the company $1 billion over 10 years - all the cocoa it buys will be responsibly sourced by 2025, the parent company of M&Ms, Snickers, and Twix said.
-
2019 C.E. January 4New York’s Solar For All program will award no-cost community solar to 10,000 low-income residents
In a bid to reduce the energy costs for low income New York households, while also helping to increase access to renewable energy for both renters and homeowners alike, the state is enabling no-cost community solar for up to 10,000 residents.
-
2019 C.E. January 3The United States convenes the most diverse Congress in its history
There are more women than ever before, and a new generation of Muslims, Latinos, Native Americans and African-Americans in the House creating what academics call a reflective democracy, more aligned with the population of the United States.
-
2019 C.E. January 3UK electricity generation drops to its lowest since 1994
A new analysis shows that in 2018 UK electricity generation dropped to its lowest since 1994. The amount of electricity generated per person in the UK has fallen 24% since 2005.
-
2019 C.E. January 10UK trains will run on hydrogen power within three years and produce zero emissions
For the first time ever, hydrogen-fueled trains will soon be running on UK railways.
-
2019 C.E. January 865 countries and counting ratify the Kigali Agreement to reduce HFCs
The world has taken an important step to drastically reduce the powerful greenhouse gasses hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) with the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol coming into force.
-
2019 C.E. January 8Bulgarian doctors implant world’s first 3D-printed rib
The physicians say that the 35-year-old patient is in perfect health after the procedure, and they are already planning on performing additional surgeries with the 3D-printed 'bones,' including three ribs along with a sternum.
-
2019 C.E. January 8Solar power in the Netherlands grows 50% in 2019
The share of renewables in the country's electricity consumption rose from 15% to 17% compared to the year before.
-
2019 C.E. January 45 million Indian women just made a 385-mile human chain for gender equality
The wall was a statement of gender equality, and a call to end violent protests against women trying to enter Kerala's Sabarimala temple, a pilgrimage site for Hindus.
-
2019 C.E. January 4Ikea bans all single-use plastic from its stores and restaurants
The Swedish furniture giant said it will stop selling single-use plastic products like straws, plates, cups, freezer bags, garbage bags, and plastic-coated paper plates and cups.
-
2019 C.E. January 4Mars Inc. to spend $1 billion over ten years to combat deforestation, child labor, and poverty in its cocoa supply chain
Under the new sustainability scheme - which will cost the company $1 billion over 10 years - all the cocoa it buys will be responsibly sourced by 2025, the parent company of M&Ms, Snickers, and Twix said.
-
2019 C.E. January 4New York’s Solar For All program will award no-cost community solar to 10,000 low-income residents
In a bid to reduce the energy costs for low income New York households, while also helping to increase access to renewable energy for both renters and homeowners alike, the state is enabling no-cost community solar for up to 10,000 residents.
-
2019 C.E. January 3The United States convenes the most diverse Congress in its history
There are more women than ever before, and a new generation of Muslims, Latinos, Native Americans and African-Americans in the House creating what academics call a reflective democracy, more aligned with the population of the United States.
-
2019 C.E. January 3UK electricity generation drops to its lowest since 1994
A new analysis shows that in 2018 UK electricity generation dropped to its lowest since 1994. The amount of electricity generated per person in the UK has fallen 24% since 2005.
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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.