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
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
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
-
2017 C.E. May 10Finland’s universal basic income trial for unemployed reduces stress levels
Citizens receiving a basic monthly income as part of a radical Finnish pilot scheme have seen a reduction in their stress levels, an official leading the trial has said.
-
2017 C.E. May 10Iceland is using extreme tech to harvest clean energy from volcanoes
Iceland currently runs on 100% renewable energy, making them a global leader in the fight against climate change.
-
2017 C.E. May 10New law gives Indian mothers 26 weeks of paid maternity leave
India passed a law to more than double its paid maternity leave, adding 14 weeks to the 12 already guaranteed by the government, reports the BBC.
-
2017 C.E. May 9Gap to source 100% sustainable cotton
The company's namesake brand Gap announced a new commitment to obtain 100% of its cotton from more sustainable sources by 2021.
-
2017 C.E. May 8Electric car sales are suddenly taking off in Europe
Sales of battery-powered cars soared 38 percent in the first quarter after models including Renault SA's improved Zoe won buyers in Germany and Spain.
-
2017 C.E. May 8Portland, OR, becomes first major U.S. city to end all new investment in corporations
To avoid doing business with socially irresponsible corporations, the city is willing to lose investment incomeabout $4.5 million a year.
-
2017 C.E. May 5China’s wind capacity up 13% in first quarter of 2017
In the first quarter of 2017, China's installed wind capacity increased by 13 percent compared to the same period last year “ bringing the country's cumulative capacity to 151 gigawatts (GW).
-
2017 C.E. May 5U.S. prisons ordered to appoint LGBT employee reps
The order requires that more than 120 prisons hold at least one event a year to educate and inform staff about LGBT diversity and designate an LGBT program manager to monitor equal opportunity programs.
-
2017 C.E. May 4Atlanta becomes 27th city to commit to 100% renewables
Atlanta City Council unanimously approved a measure Monday establishing a community-wide goal of transitioning 100 percent to renewable energy by 2035.
-
2017 C.E. May 4Life expectancy improves for blacks in the U.S., and the racial gap is closing, CDC reports
African Americans have made significant gains in life expectancy, and the mortality gap between white and black Americans has been cut in half since 1999.
-
2017 C.E. May 10Finland’s universal basic income trial for unemployed reduces stress levels
Citizens receiving a basic monthly income as part of a radical Finnish pilot scheme have seen a reduction in their stress levels, an official leading the trial has said.
-
2017 C.E. May 10Iceland is using extreme tech to harvest clean energy from volcanoes
Iceland currently runs on 100% renewable energy, making them a global leader in the fight against climate change.
-
2017 C.E. May 10New law gives Indian mothers 26 weeks of paid maternity leave
India passed a law to more than double its paid maternity leave, adding 14 weeks to the 12 already guaranteed by the government, reports the BBC.
-
2017 C.E. May 9Gap to source 100% sustainable cotton
The company's namesake brand Gap announced a new commitment to obtain 100% of its cotton from more sustainable sources by 2021.
-
2017 C.E. May 8Electric car sales are suddenly taking off in Europe
Sales of battery-powered cars soared 38 percent in the first quarter after models including Renault SA's improved Zoe won buyers in Germany and Spain.
-
2017 C.E. May 8Portland, OR, becomes first major U.S. city to end all new investment in corporations
To avoid doing business with socially irresponsible corporations, the city is willing to lose investment incomeabout $4.5 million a year.
-
2017 C.E. May 5China’s wind capacity up 13% in first quarter of 2017
In the first quarter of 2017, China's installed wind capacity increased by 13 percent compared to the same period last year “ bringing the country's cumulative capacity to 151 gigawatts (GW).
-
2017 C.E. May 5U.S. prisons ordered to appoint LGBT employee reps
The order requires that more than 120 prisons hold at least one event a year to educate and inform staff about LGBT diversity and designate an LGBT program manager to monitor equal opportunity programs.
-
2017 C.E. May 4Atlanta becomes 27th city to commit to 100% renewables
Atlanta City Council unanimously approved a measure Monday establishing a community-wide goal of transitioning 100 percent to renewable energy by 2035.
-
2017 C.E. May 4Life expectancy improves for blacks in the U.S., and the racial gap is closing, CDC reports
African Americans have made significant gains in life expectancy, and the mortality gap between white and black Americans has been cut in half since 1999.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the purpose of this archive?
Didn’t we humans do a bunch of terrible things too?
Is this archive biased and skewed toward a Western perspective?
Is the archive complete and comprehensive?
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.