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!
3782
social change milestones archived
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- Today (2017 C.E. - ???)
- Modernity (1500 - 1945 C.E.)
- Post-modernity (1945 - 2016 C.E.)
- Post-classical (500 - 1500 C.E.)
- Civilization (3000 B.C.E. - 500 C.E.)
- Agriculture (10000 - 3000 B.C.E.)
- Prehistory (250000 - 10000 B.C.E.)
Year
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Era
- Today (2017 C.E. - ???)
- Modernity (1500 - 1945 C.E.)
- Post-modernity (1945 - 2016 C.E.)
- Post-classical (500 - 1500 C.E.)
- Civilization (3000 B.C.E. - 500 C.E.)
- Agriculture (10000 - 3000 B.C.E.)
- Prehistory (250000 - 10000 B.C.E.)
Year
Topics
Region
Countries
State/Province
Institution
Sources
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2018 C.E. April 25Study shows that Reddit is helping people cope with mental illness
The researchers analyzed the language used by subscribers on the r/depression subreddit, concluding that users' language improved in nine of 10 categories, suggesting r/depression prompted a positive emotion change in users.
-
2018 C.E. April 24Baltimore mayor signs bill banning foam containers
The bill signed Thursday gives businesses 18 months to stop using containers made from this material, commonly called Styrofoam.
-
2018 C.E. April 24EU Parliament approves new measures to create a circular economy
"By 2025, at least 55% of municipal waste (from households and businesses) should be recycled. The target will rise to 60% by 2030 and 65% by 2035."
-
2018 C.E. April 23The South African Federation of Trade Unions presses ahead with nationwide protest over ‘poverty-level’ minimum wage
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) will go ahead with its planned nationwide mass mobilisation of workers to protest against the proposed "poverty-level" national minimum wage of R20 an hour and amendments to labour laws
-
2018 C.E. April 23Wells Fargo commits $200bn towards low carbon projects by 2030
The US banking giant said more than $100bn of its commitment was earmarked for clean technology, renewable energy, green bonds, low emission transportation and other projects that "directly support the transition to a low carbon economy".
-
2018 C.E. April 20HSBC to stop financing most new coal plants, oil sands, arctic drilling
Europe's largest bank HSBC said on Friday it would mostly stop funding new coal power plants, oil sands and arctic drilling, becoming the latest in a long line of investors to shun the fossil fuels.
-
2018 C.E. April 20The U.K. goes 55 hours without using coal for the first time in history
No coal was used for power generation by stations in the U.K. between 10:25 p.m. in London on Monday until 5:10 a.m. on Thursday.
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2018 C.E. April 19England plans to ban on plastic straws and cotton buds
The UK Government is planning to ban plastic straws, stirrers and plastic-tipped cotton buds in a further acceleration of its war on the waste material.
-
2018 C.E. April 19Google’s new Africa app aims to beat slow internet speeds, high data costs
Google is releasing an app in Africa that will help internet users overcome obstacles such as the lack of high-speed connectivity and the cost of data on the continent.
-
2018 C.E. April 19US wind energy sector now employs 105,000 people
The fast-growing clean sector now employs 105,500 men and women across all 50 states after a bumper year of 9 percent growth, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
-
2018 C.E. April 25Study shows that Reddit is helping people cope with mental illness
The researchers analyzed the language used by subscribers on the r/depression subreddit, concluding that users' language improved in nine of 10 categories, suggesting r/depression prompted a positive emotion change in users.
-
2018 C.E. April 24Baltimore mayor signs bill banning foam containers
The bill signed Thursday gives businesses 18 months to stop using containers made from this material, commonly called Styrofoam.
-
2018 C.E. April 24EU Parliament approves new measures to create a circular economy
"By 2025, at least 55% of municipal waste (from households and businesses) should be recycled. The target will rise to 60% by 2030 and 65% by 2035."
-
2018 C.E. April 23The South African Federation of Trade Unions presses ahead with nationwide protest over ‘poverty-level’ minimum wage
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) will go ahead with its planned nationwide mass mobilisation of workers to protest against the proposed "poverty-level" national minimum wage of R20 an hour and amendments to labour laws
-
2018 C.E. April 23Wells Fargo commits $200bn towards low carbon projects by 2030
The US banking giant said more than $100bn of its commitment was earmarked for clean technology, renewable energy, green bonds, low emission transportation and other projects that "directly support the transition to a low carbon economy".
-
2018 C.E. April 20HSBC to stop financing most new coal plants, oil sands, arctic drilling
Europe's largest bank HSBC said on Friday it would mostly stop funding new coal power plants, oil sands and arctic drilling, becoming the latest in a long line of investors to shun the fossil fuels.
-
2018 C.E. April 20The U.K. goes 55 hours without using coal for the first time in history
No coal was used for power generation by stations in the U.K. between 10:25 p.m. in London on Monday until 5:10 a.m. on Thursday.
-
2018 C.E. April 19England plans to ban on plastic straws and cotton buds
The UK Government is planning to ban plastic straws, stirrers and plastic-tipped cotton buds in a further acceleration of its war on the waste material.
-
2018 C.E. April 19Google’s new Africa app aims to beat slow internet speeds, high data costs
Google is releasing an app in Africa that will help internet users overcome obstacles such as the lack of high-speed connectivity and the cost of data on the continent.
-
2018 C.E. April 19US wind energy sector now employs 105,000 people
The fast-growing clean sector now employs 105,500 men and women across all 50 states after a bumper year of 9 percent growth, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).
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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.