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
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
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2017 C.E. March 8London’s black cabs go electric
Any motorized vehicle will have to meet strict exhaust emissions standards or pay a heavy surcharge to commute around the city center. Electric vehicles (EVs) are one way for drivers to stay compliant and move about freely on the city's streets.
-
2017 C.E. March 7Breckinridge Capital adopts Social Progress Index to reward cities for inclusiveness.
Specifically, the framework follows the Social Progress Index in assessing how a community meets basic human needs for healthcare, sanitation and safety; provides foundations of wellbeing, including environmental quality; and offers opportunities, such as access to advanced education and personal choice.
-
2017 C.E. March 7California, UC affirm stance to protect transgender students’ rights
The rights of transgender students in California are still protected despite a directive administered by the Trump administration.
-
2017 C.E. March 7UK emissions fall to lowest level since 19th century
According to the Carbon Brief, CO2 emissions fell by 5.8 per cent in 2016, after coal use fell a record 52 per cent.
-
2017 C.E. March 7Wind overtakes hydro as renewable energy leader in the U.S.
According to new data released on Monday 6 March, installed wind capacity in the U.S. surpassed hydroelectric generating capacity, long the nation's largest source of renewable energy, in 2016.
-
2017 C.E. February 28Indigenous communities turn to renewable energy to break cycle of welfare
In some remote Indigenous communities, household energy bills can reach up to $2,000 per quarter. Installing solar panels can contribute to a 75 per cent saving.
-
2017 C.E. February 28Lithium-ion battery inventor introduces new technology for fast-charging, noncombustible batteries
A team of engineers led by 94-year-old John Goodenough, professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin and co-inventor of the lithium-ion battery, has developed the first all-solid-state battery cells that could lead to safer, faster-charging, longer-lasting rechargeable batteries for handheld mobile devices, electric cars and stationary energy storage.
-
2017 C.E. February 24Donors pledge $670 million at UN-backed conference to support aid operations in Lake Chad region
Giving voice to people affected by conflict and complex crises in Africa's Lake Chad region, a United Nations-supported conference in Oslo today generated more than $670 million in pledges that will sustain critical relief operations over the next two years and beyond.
-
2017 C.E. February 24Tesla charges ahead with plans for more gigafactories
Tesla claims that by the end of 2018, the Nevada factory will assemble more lithium-ion batteries than what were produced globally in 2013.
-
2017 C.E. February 21U.S. Appeals Court rules that Second Amendment doesn’t protect right to assault weapons
Issued by the court sitting en banc, Tuesday's decision reversed a previous ruling in which a panel of judges had struck down Maryland's ban on assault weapons and detachable large capacity magazines.
-
2017 C.E. March 8London’s black cabs go electric
Any motorized vehicle will have to meet strict exhaust emissions standards or pay a heavy surcharge to commute around the city center. Electric vehicles (EVs) are one way for drivers to stay compliant and move about freely on the city's streets.
-
2017 C.E. March 7Breckinridge Capital adopts Social Progress Index to reward cities for inclusiveness.
Specifically, the framework follows the Social Progress Index in assessing how a community meets basic human needs for healthcare, sanitation and safety; provides foundations of wellbeing, including environmental quality; and offers opportunities, such as access to advanced education and personal choice.
-
2017 C.E. March 7California, UC affirm stance to protect transgender students’ rights
The rights of transgender students in California are still protected despite a directive administered by the Trump administration.
-
2017 C.E. March 7UK emissions fall to lowest level since 19th century
According to the Carbon Brief, CO2 emissions fell by 5.8 per cent in 2016, after coal use fell a record 52 per cent.
-
2017 C.E. March 7Wind overtakes hydro as renewable energy leader in the U.S.
According to new data released on Monday 6 March, installed wind capacity in the U.S. surpassed hydroelectric generating capacity, long the nation's largest source of renewable energy, in 2016.
-
2017 C.E. February 28Indigenous communities turn to renewable energy to break cycle of welfare
In some remote Indigenous communities, household energy bills can reach up to $2,000 per quarter. Installing solar panels can contribute to a 75 per cent saving.
-
2017 C.E. February 28Lithium-ion battery inventor introduces new technology for fast-charging, noncombustible batteries
A team of engineers led by 94-year-old John Goodenough, professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin and co-inventor of the lithium-ion battery, has developed the first all-solid-state battery cells that could lead to safer, faster-charging, longer-lasting rechargeable batteries for handheld mobile devices, electric cars and stationary energy storage.
-
2017 C.E. February 24Donors pledge $670 million at UN-backed conference to support aid operations in Lake Chad region
Giving voice to people affected by conflict and complex crises in Africa's Lake Chad region, a United Nations-supported conference in Oslo today generated more than $670 million in pledges that will sustain critical relief operations over the next two years and beyond.
-
2017 C.E. February 24Tesla charges ahead with plans for more gigafactories
Tesla claims that by the end of 2018, the Nevada factory will assemble more lithium-ion batteries than what were produced globally in 2013.
-
2017 C.E. February 21
U.S. Appeals Court rules that Second Amendment doesn’t protect right to assault weapons
Issued by the court sitting en banc, Tuesday's decision reversed a previous ruling in which a panel of judges had struck down Maryland's ban on assault weapons and detachable large capacity magazines.
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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.