The 10 Most Important Moments and Events in History, An Illustrated Guide
Choosing the top ten most important events in history is one of the most difficult and controversial things to do. Why? Because history is more than a few hundred years long and there is way too much bias in most lists. I’ve attempted to create a list without that bias and that manages to touch on the major events in history that in the end shaped the world. Some of the events were huge yet impacted only a continent or two. Others literally touched every culture and brought them into a whole new way of thinking. Here is my humble attempt at the 10 most important events in history and not in any particular order.
American Revolution
To many this event was too localized to be considered part of a list that involves all of history. Yet, the shockwaves from this one event is still felt today. The American Revolution (1775-1783) took many ideas from the early civilizations of Greece and Rome and combined them with the Christian Bible to revolt against an authority that was unbending. They believed that every man (though at the time even that statement was narrowly defined) was equal and should be treated fairly. Only when the men and women of the new world rose up together was there a solid foundation for the beginning of a nation that in our modern world influences much around the globe. When an election is held in the United States, the world watches. The influence that America now has gives credence to the American Revolution being one of the greatest events in our history.
Reformation
The
Reformation (1517-1648) was one of the greatest events in European
history. Prior to this period the Roman Catholic Church had close
to absolute control over the people and the government. It was
when many of the learned men of the time began to question the practices
of the church in comparison to the Bible that trouble arose. The
intent of the Reformation was to reform the Catholic Church and bring it
back to its biblical roots. The end result was a rending of the
church into two factions: Catholics and Protestants. The
Reformation brought the religious texts into the hands of the masses and
began the decline of the Catholic power. It also brought about
many wars and figures that took the forefront who still continue to
shape the world today. Thinking of this only as a European event
could be erroneous. Because of the Reformation much of the New
World known as the Americas was shaped, missionaries increased
throughout the world, and thinkers that rose up from the Renaissance and
could proclaim their discoveries and believes with less fear of
persecution. The Reformation gave us free-thought while holding us
down to the basics of life.
Reformation
Jesus of Nazareth
Whether
you are a Christian or not, you cannot honestly say that the life of
Jesus of Nazareth did not dramatically impact history. If you
follow the dating system that we use today, you acknowledge his
impact. This article is published in 2010. Why was this date
set up just so? Because approximately 2010 years ago, Jesus lived
in Israel. At the time of his life, it might not have seen so
dramatic to the world at large. He never traveled more than a few
days journey from his hometown. It was only after he left earth
that his teachings spread beyond his homeland and began to cause trouble
for the ruling power of the time – Rome. When Roman rulers began
to persecute the followers of Jesus, Christians, that is when his life
really began to ripple out around the globe. Over time
Christianity was accepted by the Roman rulers which allowed it to spread
even further. Today Christianity is one of the largest religions
of the world. Jesus set off an atomic religious bomb that is still
felt today.
Impact of Christianity
Tearing Down of Berlin Wall
Tearing
down a wall might not seem like much, but when you realize what all
else came down with that wall you begin to see it in a whole new
light. At the end of World War II, there was relief at the
downfall of a disturbed man who wanted to dominate the earth and at the
same time there was suspicion of each other and a desire to control as
much land as possible. The nations that defeated Hitler and his
friends began to quarrel amongst themselves. Should the defeated
lands be democratic in nature or communist? The end result was a
lesson from King Solomon – split the spoils down the middle.
Germany was the embodiment of the war and therefore it became the most
disputed area. In the end, it was split in half with one part
under a communist government and the other under a more democratic
style. Through the middle of Berlin a large wall was built to
separate the capital city and symbolize the wall that separated the
communist world from everyone else. When the wall came down in
1989 it signified the end of communist rule and birth of the voice of
the people.
Fall of Berlin Wall
World War II
This
is one of the few wars that literally involved most of the world.
The scarring from this six year fight is still seen today
in the demolished buildings and the tattooed numbers on the arms of
POW’s. There was no one main objective or enemy. There was
no main front. It was composed of the European, African, and Asian
segments of the war. It ripped through every economic
level, race, religion, and culture. Country after country fell
into other hands. Men, women, and children were killed by the
millions. Many lost their loved ones and had to seek new lands to
call home as there was so much devastation. World War II also led
to the creation of the United Nations, a homeland for the Jews, and the
beginning of the Cold War. The world had changed and was never to
return to the innocence it once claimed. It was the unmasking of
an underlying evil that took an ugly shape in the Cold War. Only
as the truth of the massacres, plots, and campaigns have revealed
themselves as the world truly begun to heal.
WWII
World War I
World
War One (1914-1918) was once called the Great War. No one during
that time could imagine anything worse. That is until they faced
themselves with WWII and even more bloodshed. But WWI was not
pushed aside. In fact, historian, George Kennan, said that all
roads led to WWI. In truth, Kennan was right on the money.
WWII’s causes can be traced right back to WWI where so much was left
undone and so much resentment and hatred brewed below the surface.
It was the humiliation of Germany at the end of WWI that began the
movement toward WWII. The hatred toward the world that many
Germans felt led to the election of Hitler, the creation of
concentration camps, and the fall of France, Poland, and many other
countries. An unsatisfied closure to the Great War caused it to be
the silence before the storm.
Gutenberg's Printing Press
There
is almost no other event that could be called as influential as the
printing press that Gutenberg invented around 1440. Before this
monumental creation, books were copied by hand. Laboriously monks
and other men of learning would spend hours and hours through the bright
sunlight and the weak light of an oil lamp to make copies of religious
texts, literature, and official documents. It could take years
just t copy one book. When Gutenberg devised a printing press that
could print copy after copy in just a small fraction of the time, the
whole world changed dramatically. All of a sudden everyone could
have their own copies of the religious scriptures. They could read
it for themselves. Political pamphlets could be made by the
thousands and influence the masses like never before. Learning was
not limited to a select few. It was available for all.
Books were not just for the rich. They could be made for those of
lower classes. Gutenberg’s press changed the political world, the
religious world, and the everyday life of man. No more would we
lean on a select few to direct us. We could take it for
ourselves.
Gutenberg's Printing Press
Muhammad
Just
like the life of Jesus, whether you are a follower of Muhammad
(570-630) or not you cannot deny the impact his life has had on
history. Before Muhammad rose up as the founder of Islam, the
Middle East was full of small tribes that warred against each other
continuously. Muhammad brought those tribes together and
gave them a purpose and a reason to join forces. Though blood was
still shed it was not against each other. It was against those
that threatened the new religion or fought against it. Since the
birth of Islam, it has become one of the largest religions of the
world. It covers the globe and through many of its sects it has
influenced the world. The terrorist branches have reached out and
impacted the daily lives of every person through their traveling
procedures or just the way they go to work with extra security.
Muhammad changed the shape of the Middle East that is still changing
today.
Muhammad
Pax Romana
This
is the period of relative peace in the Roman Empire for about two
hundred years. What was so special about this besides the fact
that it was peace for an empire that loved to fight and bloodshed was
part of the daily life was what the peace brought forth. Out of
all the quiet culture developed that today still is in use. Roads
of amazing engineering were built and linked the far areas of the vast
empire like no other before them. A postal system was refined and
utilized like never before. Engineering explosion gave us the
arch, plumbing, and so many more cultural advances that were the basis
of many of the things that we use each and every day of our lives.
This period of peace allowed the warring empire to settle down and
adjust to its new size and all its new family members. It
developed a legal system like no other. It created a culture that
is envied today in many aspects. This peace helped lay down the
foundations of our world today.
Renaissance
Nothing
can compare to the age of the Renaissance. Ignorance was being
pushed aside and the world was beginning to see the sparkle of the dew
drop, the lure of a falling apple, and the wonder of a distant
star. It was during this time that great men and women questioned
tradition, standing believes, and learned that there was still a lot to
learn in this great world. The earth was not the center of the
universe. There were planets besides our own. There was a
world of mathematics that had functioned just under the surface where no
man had yet looked. There was beauty in colors that art began to
acknowledge and share with the whole world. The Renaissance gave
us new light into our world and pushed aside the Dark Ages where man was
directed by superstition and fear. The Renaissance gave the
unexplainable a face and a name. There would be no more
fear. Curiosity was encouraged despite opposition from those that
longed to remain in the past. The Renaissance was an awakening to
the world and was the beginning of all our curiosity today.
- The American Revolution - (Home)
- The Reformation Online - The Most Timely, Scientific, and Patriotic Site on the Internet
- Jesus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Berlin Wall Online - Chronicle of the Berlin Wall history includes an archive of photographs and tex
History of Berlin Wall in texts and photographs including facts, construction, measurements, timelime, escape attempts, maps, photographs and an archive - World War 2 Timeline 1939-1945 - Worldwar-2.net
Worldwar-2.net is a complete World War 2 Timeline, detailing every event, day by day through World War II from 1939 through to 1945. - World War I - Trenches on the Web
An History of the Great War of 1914 to 1918 presented in internet format. Contains various articles and features from authors around the world. Please be aware this is a hi-bandwidth site. - Johannes Gutenberg - Printing Press
In 1450 Johannes Gutenberg made his first printing press. - Prophet Muhammad (s.a.a.w.)
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.a.w.) - Pax Romana
Resources about Pax Romana - Renaissance
Last updated on February 12, 2013
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Loved the hub. I can tell you put a lot of time into writing it along with research!
Nothing from the Far East?
Wow! I was just talking about this subject today...you did a wonderful job condensing so many years of history and embellishing them with perfect pictures! thanks, Rgraf!
Rgraf!
An excellent presentation and I appreciate the work you put into it. It is a very interesting read and the selected complementary photo's are awesome.
Forever His,
Well done. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I guess every person would have their own list of historically important events. In my list I might include an decisive battle in the life of Gengis Khan because 1 in 200 men alive today are decendents of his.
Very nice hub, the complementary videos and photos where also a good companion. You made very interesting choices here, most of them centered in Western history.
I agree with godgrant's opinion "I guess every person would have their own list of historically important events". In that light, and following the centrality of Western history... Could the so called "discovery" of the "New World" and its conquest and colonization, be regarded as on of the "Most Important Moments in History"? Could be also be considered the Haitian Revolution (since it went further than the French and the American Revolution in the delivery of the ideal of Freedom and Equality)?
Just a thought...
Good Hub, invites to reflection. ; )
I like your choices.
Very interesting and fun to read! There were things that you've included that indeed would be unpopular on other lists, but as you said, you cannot look at history with a one-sided view and manage to pick out the appropriate Top Ten.
Great hub, very thought provoking. WKopping asked the question regarding the far east. Might I suggest Marco Polo's expedition to the far east that opened up Oriental/Occidental trade via the "Silk Road"?
Without this happening, we would not have so many things that we take for granted. Three of the events cited in your Top 10 - the American Revolution, World War I and World War II - would not have been possible had it not been for the availability of that Chinese invention, gunpowder.
Fantastic job and the history you selected took alot of thought. Then you did such a good job putting it all together so that it was very understandable and interesting. You hit the nail on the head considering the great subjects you wrote about. If you have time and want to you could do another one with ten more greatest moments in history. one on the far east would make a great subject matter. I will be back to visit again when I have more time. Thank you so much for your great work and in depth information you included.
Great hub! I think you chose the top ten very well. Of course a valid argument stands for many other events.
The American Revolution also inspired the French and many Latin American countries to revolt as well, shortly after the States' success.
Great Hub RGraf, a mammoth undertaking and never likely to please all but I think in the main you hit the key events. Any list is always going to be difficult to get everyone on board but you've done a grand job.
An interesting, useful hub. Thanks to the author.
But it enlightens the western world only. The other side of the world, the eastern nations, India, China and Japan has not been taken into account. More than half of humanity lives here. Here are some important events, which have affected the history of the entire world.
1.The ascendance of Chengizkhan in Mongolia;
2.The invasion of Alexander of Greece;
3.The battle of Panipat between Babar and Lodi (1526);
4.The establishment of East India Company (1600);
5.The battle of Tsushima (1805), between Japan and Russia; (the entire Russian Navy was destroyed by Japan)
6.Independence of India and other countries in 1947 and after.
7.Establishment of UNO in 1945;
8.India Pakistan war of 1971;
9.Annexation of Tibet by China and continuing cruelties;
10.Dropping of atom bomb on Japan.
Without these events, there will be no history.
i like your choises but you could have put in the Battle of Culloden
I agree that picking a top-10 list from history is tough, but I like your choices. There are so many others that I would like to have seen included, but then it would no longer be a top-10 list!
I think your first three are most intriguing. I like them because of a common theme I've held dear for some years. The democratizing effect of the American Revolution, the religious freedom created by the Reformation, and the philosophy of the Nazarene teacher all ameliorate the effects of ego. With these, civilization has matured to a level conducive to great discoveries. To a degree, the Renaissance and Gutenberg's printing press fueled this effect by democratizing ideas. In some respects, these may have bolstered ego, but the way to sanity is not always a straight path. All of these helped in the creation of a safer, saner civilization. Perhaps the United Nations, too, helps in that regard. Anything that subordinates the ego of an individual or a nation might help in the cause of responsible freedom.
Excellent Hub! Thanks!
Great hub. Very insightful. You made some sound choices. I also enjoyed the videos and the art work phenomenal. My husband will certainly enjoy this hub. Teresa
Excellent presentation and arguments - your choices are interesting and well-reasoned.
Outstanding article! The photos are magnificent, I don't know how you get them to download so sharp and clear. Good luck in the vote! Diogenes.
Beautiful article, I have recently shared this with some of my students. I really like how you have broken each moment down and clearly explained why they are such important moments in our history. Great use of media as well!
An interesting hub but somehow you missed the Industrial Revolution! Nothing changed the world more completely. It is revolution that is ongoing and transforming the world at a faster and faster rate every decade.
Excellent! I would add the sack of Rome. Yes, the Industrial Revolution was important as is the computer age but the traumas that mankind lives through and learns from. The era of diversity acceptance - real acceptance is still in progress throughout the world but JFK did make an important change in US society.
Wonderful Hub! A great Hub to share with all - students, coworkers, friends, family.
Great hub! Very detailed and interesting.
I think, referring to the past 2-3 weeks, the catastrophe in Japan fits in this list of important moments.
History in a nutshell with illustrations, very good thanks.
I feel like the Great Depression should be included on this list. The impacts of this global crisis was far reached and even has it's impacts today.
Quite a collection. Very fascinating hub.
Good work. I was however looking for 'moments' in a more literal sense, as the detonation of the first atomic bomb, ancient asteroid impact etc.
What about the shots in Sarajevo, they started WWI which lead to WW2 which lead to the Cold war.
Wow, so nice historical hub :-) Very good, specially the chapter concerning Berlin and wall.
I think that if you're listing 10 most important events/moments that you shouldn't go near religion or individual movements as really they are only a reflection upon the cultures that were created by other events and influences.
Why not look a bit deeper. For example the battle of Plataea which actually preserved western civilization and positioned it so that it would eventually become the dominant culture in the world; without plataea we wouldnt have had a single on of the events you have described here.
That put things into perspective for you?
You make a very valid point and I was with you until your last condescending line. In the future, please be more respectful of other people's opinions and just show respect for other people's work.
Great and informative hub.An excellent presentation.I appreciate your great work.Well done
If an effort was made to do this, then it was a poor one,
This starts with The American revolution, and the paragraph starts
good, but the 3rd sentence is so obviously wrong, that it indicated
to me, that the authors level of scrutiny, understanding, and of explaining history,
is too poor for me to consider further reading,..this one sentence, instantly DISCREDITS THE WHOLE LIST.
"The American Revolution (1775-1783) took many ideas from the early civilizations of Greece and Rome and combined them with the Christian Bible to revolt against an authority that was unbending."
...if you don't understand WHY THIS IS COMPLETELY WRONG, then go back,and study some more,...I'm not not going to bother, and explain something so evident,...
I feel this is quite a poor list; I would view the Russian and French revolutions as having been much more monumental on the world overall than the American one. Not to mention that, as the above comment points out, your arguments about the influence of the Ancient world are poorly thought out.
I also feel like the publication of the Principa Mathmatica and the Origins of the Species were more than a little important in the grand scheme of things; and where is the inclusion of the Industrial Revolution?
Also, I feel that the Greco-Persian relations deserve a mention- the Persian War, or the campaign of Alexander of Macedonia, which is considered the beginning of the violent relationship between the West and the Middle East.
Just a thought or two, but your list seems poorly thought out; perhaps a little less concentration on illustrations and a little more on actual history?
Really? Nothing about the moon landing? That was the single greatest achievement in the history of mankind
None of these would have ever happened without the first nameless person planting a seed and coming back to the same place to reap what was planted. This was the trigger of civilization. There are no pretty pictures of this moment, no personal accounts and no fancy philosophy about it. THE NAMELESS SOWER is the most important person at the most important event in history.
this didnt help at ALL!!!!
comments got a bit bitchy towards the end there. just saying this guy evidently spent a while on this, so dont slate his work. i guess there could of been more historical moments but its not called "10000 most important moments in history" is it? (p.s it is agreeable that some research needs moar accuracy.)
Want to invite to you visit my Hubs every Monday evening for History's Mysteries Mondays. Will be beginning a look back at WWII, and what happened - kind of a "rest of the story" type hub.
Appreciate your input in your article. well thought out, and presented. Thanks.
I'm sure it was hard to narrow it down to only 10. Nice job with this hub.
What about the worst events of the reformation era? I have read much about the best or great events, does anyone know what are the worst events?
i think you did a really good job. I feel it would be impossible to only pick 10, but religious one being the main ones.
i think the fall of the birtish empire is a key event in time. The Ottoman empire also had control of alot more than people first begin to know about. I also watched a documentary on how the west became superpowers, when a chinese exploration boat was cancelled when a new emperor came to power, this event was key when china failed to explore early enough before the portugese and other western countries in places like east africa etc.
The discovery of penicillin, the defeat of Bonaparte, the invention of computer chips, the invention of the world-wide-web, the wheel, Drake's voyage around the world ... Just some more to add to those already mentioned.
It is perhaps naive to try to sum up so many significant events in a simple list, but it certainly gets one thinking. This is a great Hub because it has stirred up a lot of debate and emotion.
great share mate , i appreciate the effort and time you have put to find a lot about history and writing this hub , i came to know a lot more with this hub
Excellent list!
I would argue the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand as one of the single, most important events in human history. That event alone triggered World War I which embarrassed Germany, causing the uprising of Nazionalism, Hitler's rise to power, WWII, the drawing of national boundaries in the Middle East (which is the reason for the current state of the Middle East and the spread of Islamic extremism), the rise and spread of Communism, the Vietnam War, the Fall of the Berlin Wall, the War on Terror, and the list goes on. Excellent, excellent list though. Adding that event would be the only change I would make to it. Any comments?
Black Death amyone?
the pic of prophet muhammad is not real.and till nw there is no valid evidences that muhammad sahab look like that,so i think you should not post it,nt should not misguide the reader,only just to earn profit.
Please refrain from personal attacks. I'm not writing this for profit but for the love of writing and history. And no one really knows what Jesus looked like or hundreds of other historical figures. There is nothing misguided here.
Your list is full of bias...I probably would put little if any of these moments on my list. Berlin wall? You know communism is still alive and well...it's called China. And you have a lot of religious undertones in your writing. Religion is not important enough to get on the top ten list unless you believe the world is only 6000 years old.
I applaud your efforts and enjoyed reading through the list. I am sad to see so many egotistical criticisms over an article that was a self-proclaimed "humble attempt" to simplify the entire history of humankind. Obviously there will be differing opinions since there are far too many moments to capture in one short list. Every single person has a unique experience and perspective which causes them to be biased in their choices to some degree--regardless of how "unbiased" we attempt to be. People need to be a little less arrogant and hostile about their personal takes on world history and consider the value in the author's compilation of 10 inarguably defining moments in world history. Each of us has the freedom and ability to compile our own "Top 10 List" and shed light on 10 other amazing moments if we so choose. I loved the article, and I appreciate the time and thought you put into it. Thanks so much for posting!
A great read, thanks for putting so much thought into a list like this and not ordering them I think was a good choice.
Two events I would have added though I won't get into which ones I would drop would have been Alexander's Campaign and the resulting Hellenistic empires that forever shaped our world.
Also the rise and reign of Augustus who set the standard for Roman Statehood for hundreds of years. After Ceaser had been killed and Augustus in the end won the civil war that resulted. He did something amazing, he ruled over a mostly peaceful empire for longer than most people's lifespans.
He lived to be a very old man for ancient times and gave the Romans a stable model for government that lasted until the end days of the Roman Empire. One of the most wide spread empires that ever existed in land area, cultural impact, and longevity.
Great Hub, Voted Up.
very interesting
Putting a complementary picture of our noble prophet Muhammad(SAW) is disrespectful. So please i suggest it should be removed. Thnx
Kindly remove the dipictions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as a sign of respect. Thank you.
I THINK THAT FARMING IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT IN ALL OF HUMAN HISTORY
Jesus of Nazareth, Gutenberg's Printing Press, and Muhammad aren't really moments or events.
How is "history" defined? Does it start 5,500 years ago, when writing was invented? Does it start 200,000 years ago, when Homo Sapiens evolved? Does it start 2,500,000 years ago, when humans (that is, genus Homo, not species Sapiens) evolved in Africa? Does it start 4,533,000,000 years ago, when Theia collided into Proto-Earth, forming the Earth and Moon? Does it start 13,700,000,000 years ago, when the universe started in a Big Bang?
RGraf - I am sending this e-mail with your own words
“Please refrain from personal attacks. I'm not writing this for profit but for the love of writing and history. And no one really knows what Jesus looked like or hundreds of other historical figures. There is nothing misguided here.”
I appreciate your efforts………. During the reading of revolutionary events, suddenly, I saw the pictures of Mohammad (PBUH) and Jesus.
Now, I ask you a question, “WHO IS THE PERSON IN THE WHOLE WORLD, WHO SAW THE MOHAMMAD (PBUH) AND JESUS? FURTHER, WHO WILL GIVE THE PROOF THAT MOHAMMAD (PBPH) AND JESUS HAD SAME FACIAL AND BODILY FEATURES WITH THE GIVEN PICTURES?
As per your words, if you are not misguiding to anyone, definitely you would never create the environment for misguiding.
I, once again request you, please delete these pictures immediately. I don’t want to send further e-mail in this connection Thanks & Regards
I would also give the reference of following comments
nazia 4 weeks ago
The pics of prophet Muhammad is not real. and till nw there is no valid evidences that Muhammad sahab look like that, so i think you should not post it, nt should not misguide the reader, only just
Abubakar sa'id 3 weeks ago
Putting a complementary picture of our noble prophet Muhammad(SAW) is disrespectful. So please i suggest it should be removed. Thnx
Anonymous 9 days ago
Kindly remove the dipic
Tony 3 months ago
If an effort was made to do this, then it was a poor one, This starts with The American revolution, and the paragraph starts good, but the 3rd sentence is so obviously wrong, that it indicated to me, that the authors level of scrutiny, understanding, and of explaining history, is too poor for me to consider further reading, this one sentence, instantly DISCREDITS THE WHOLE LIST. "The American Revolution (1775-1783) took many ideas from the early civilizations of Greece and Rome and combined them with the Christian Bible to revolt against an authority that was unbending." ...if you don't understand WHY THIS IS COMPLETELY WRONG, then go back, and study some more,...I'm not not going to bother, and explain something so evident,...
tions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as a sign of respect. Thank you.
avi 3 days ago
Jesus of Nazareth, Gutenberg's Printing Press, and Muhammad aren't really moments or events.
How is "history" defined? Does it start 5,500 years ago, when writing was invented? Does it start 200,000 years ago, when Homo Sapiens evolved? Does it start 2,500,000 years ago, when humans (that is, genus Homo, not species Sapiens) evolved in Africa? Does it start 4,533,000,000 years ago, when Theia collided into Proto-Earth, forming the Earth and Moon? Does it start 13,700,000,000 years ago, when the universe started in a Big Bang?
History, in and of itself, is huge. There is no way to please everyone. That said, the comments of some readers are plain ugly and self-serving. For example, if there is a complaint about any of the pictures, go to the source of the picture. RGraf did not draw these herself.
Moments of history often include many things. Muhammed and Jesus of Nazareth as individuals had a huge effect on people and history that remains evident today (just read your own comments folks!). There is nothing wrong with this article. Whether you agree or disagree, this is one person's opinion of 10 moments or events in history that have an ongoing effect. There are many things, that to me personally, have a larger effect on history, but that's from a personal point of view. The events listed are important in the list of history because each and every one impact more than one thing and continue to do so.
I feel that if there is disrespect here, it is from the comments, not the original author. Agree or disagree, but knock off sounding like superior beings, I doubt you qualify. I know I don't, but have little patience with folks that act superior. If you think I'm talking about "you" I probably am. Now attack me . . . believe me, it won't bother me. You have no control over my thoughts :)
cool i love it.lol
An interesting list and no doubt all of us would probably come up with a somewhat different list. The idea that democracy comes from the US, via their revolution against the British, is not true and was simply an advncement from Greek, Roman and French and English thinking - Magna Carta would also have to be included. Although Jesus and Mohammed have changed the world they are not they are not moments or events.
How can you leave out the Napoleonic wars!
It has shaped modern Europe and who knows what our world would be like without it
I cannot believe you would connect terrorism with Islam. I'm an English undergraduate student at KCL and a protestant Christian, but even I can't stand ridiculous stereotypical claims like the one you've done here.
Are there NO christian terrorists? Do you know the ACTUAL reason for increased airport security throughout the world? How can you say that a prophet from the 7th century has a "terrorist branch"??
I respected this article until I understood how closed-minded the author must be.
The bible does not say the earth is 6000 years old, it states humanity is. So before some of you start bashing this good work i suggest you do extensive research and dont just read at the surface or listen to what everyone else says. Thankyou
Pretty cool, but I agree with only the US Rev, WW2, unity via Christian and Islam expansion, and Renaissance, though not in the same order. As a history fanatic, I think you should reconsider the rest of the list since compared to other things it only affected a small fraction within the Western World. The Reconquista + Age of Discoveries (1492) that opened up a New World to give us more knowledge and research to human kind and through the US exploiting the deathly peace and rich lands combo affected so many of the important events, the four decades of the Cold War and its impact on technology and the three worlds theory (1st, 2nd, 3rd), arguably the conquest of precolumbian civs by the Spaniards (though it would happen one way or another by Spain or another europower), and the future era we will see when another one of these is done are the only ones I deem worth being on the Top 10.
Also, I read a comment from someone from like India, and his list sucks. None of those things changed the world, just India. Im not trying to be eurocentralistic, but the reason the West is highlighted on the list is because it hit a historical lucky streak that let it dominate the world. A small but fertile continent to fully settle quickly, easy access to the mediterranean, mountains isolating powerful invaders at the eastern planes, roman (Western) infrastructure and a common ethnicity+religion for easy understanding and trade of goods and knowledge, Renaissance, Age of Enlightenment, and overkilling with the virtual gift of God that was the New ''World''/Western ''Hemisphere''/lottery win, it was luck all around. Don't try and change history by putting India on the West's pedal, eventually we will all be an utopia ruled by the UN after WW#; can't wait, peace.
alamgir
the big bang theory is only one of many theories as to how the world was created. I resect your opinion but it is not the only theory. I believe that there must have been a supreme being to create the universe. It is far to complex to have happened by chance. I am not saying that it was God(i think it was but that is because of my belief). Scienintists are beggining to think this is a possability.
For example, Look at the human body. The brain alone is so complicated we cannot fathom how it works. And also were did what evolved from come from? And were did the planets come from to collide creating the big bang? Do you bielve they were just there?
also i have just done some research and discovered that in 1855 rudolf virchow determined that all living cells must come from other cells. This makes evolution impossible since 1855. We(the human race) must be pretty stupid to still be thinking of evolution.
Great stuff. I wonder whether 9/11 needs to be added to the list now?
what a bunch of petty comments.everyone crying like children over this and that.
grow past your silliness, children.
Iam going to have to agree with Mr. K
Hello, I was just bored and skimming through; yet, one problem... Gutenberg did not "invent" the printing press. Yes we all learned these things in high school just as Columbus "discovered" America or John Smith actually married Pocahontas... However, the printing press before Gutenberg was actually popular in Asian culture. It was made from wood and spun in a less efficient manner than the printing press. Think of it as wood blocks with ink on them for the Chinese characters. Also, most of the time people that used this version of printing did so by hand i.e. moving the wooden blocks. Gutenberg simply reinvented the wheel and most historians use the term "perfected the printing press." I can not wait to teach history because I was very upset when I went to college and had to relearn everything. So frustrating... Well I hope this top of my head comment helped someone. :)
First of all, I really appreciate your efforts but i have 2 things to say :
First, in Islam it is dishonorable to show pics of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)so would you please delete them in respect to our faith
Second , ISLAM is the most peaceful religion and from Islam's perspective (and many others)we condemn terrorism and see that terrorists left Islam as they murder innocent individuals so would you please delete the terrorist part
about Islam and remind people with the benefits of Islam in e.g. Science or Mathematics
Thank you.
you have done a wonderful job RGraf, though we know all these things in general, but never thought about the effect it has on humanity as a whole.
Putting all these events together in a presentable manner and then explaining it in a language easy to understand is a great job RGraf.
Regards
this is not very well orgainised and what happened to thomas e ediison and nikiloa tesla
ahhhhh boring!?!
I thought you did a great job and covered everything in a unique way. The fall of communism more or less covered the Post World War, and your events over ruled all other events going on at the time in terms of World wide cause and eventual effect. Interesting that you picked Gutenberg because with out him Martin Luther and the reformation stood no chance. They were the best 10 choices and of course if more could be added I imagine ancient Greece, Israel, China, Egypt, India and Babylon may have been on the list.
what about when man united beat arsenal 8-2
waoh amazing
Some great stuff here, but i agree with those that think the fall of russian communism should be up there! It healed a truly international divison. Also i'm suprised nobody has suggested the Age of Enlightenment, the science, the literature - it shaped modern society in a absolutely profound way, and still hasn't been mentioned ? Bizarre, but a good hub non-the-less :)
A good list, but I think a list made by someone in Asia, Africa or anywhere East of the Arabian Peninsula would look a lot different.
9 11
Thank you for the information, that was quite intriguing, though i must admit I have different opinions on a few.
Why was UNO so important for history?????
The 10 Greatest Moments in History Yet to Happen
1) First Probable Recognition – discovery of high levels of oxygen in the atmosphere of a Goldilocks Plant as an indication of probable existence of biological life similar in nature to that on our home planet earth.
2) First Observation – discovery of evidence of current or past intelligent life that has or had the ability to communicate beyond their own solar system. Assumption: such intelligent life does not exist in anywhere other than earth in our own solar system.
3) First Contact – bilateral communication with another intelligent life.
4) Bionics – the merger of biological systems with technology. Likely seen as the development of an interface between cells and transistors (chips). This development will provide the means to replace biological parts with manufactured parts. For example a bionic eye or artificial human memory.
5) Near Infinite Micro Transactions – the expansion of electronic commerce to the point where all transactions are electronic and unlimited transactions can be processed in a finite period of time. This development will replace the need to store wealth in money or credit and pave the way for pricing at factional levels of those used currently. Assumption: Free energy will have been realized prior to Infinite Micro Transactions.
6) Free Energy – the discovery of mass produced, low cost, safe and sustainable energy such that the current economics of transportation and food production are no longer valid.
7) First Departure – The sun and our solar system have a finite life span. For the longevity of human life to extend beyond the existence of the solar system, such life, or a future evolution of life will need to establish itself in a suitable habitat beyond this solar system. Interstellar travel will be required.
8) Controlled Evolution of the Human Genome – Development of the ability to control the evolution of DNA such that genetic defects can be removed prior to the moment of conception. In this item I am proposing a methodology where parents would be able to remove or prevent defects in their own DNA from being passed on to their children.
9) Travel at near the speed of light – I believe current science tells us that travel beyond the speed of light (Warp Speed) is not possible. Assuming this remains true, items Free Energy and First Departure may enable/require travel at near light speed though this item is not required or an automatic result of these other items.
10) Universal access to knowledge – this item maybe comprised of several elements: a universal means to store knowledge; a common language for storage; and unlimited, free access to the knowledge store. Think Wikipedia on a planetary level, with the ability for anyone to store any information for retrieval by anyone regardless of location, culture or socioeconomic status.
Have others? Let us know.
i hate history its soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo boring how do people handle this kinda crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
it was itresting
i appreciate your hard work, and i deeply thank you, but i don't know if you follow on and read others comments. You noticed that people in here are saying Please. they are appreciating your work and asking you to remove any images of the Prophet (PBUH), because now body knows how he actually looks like, except people during that time. so please delete those images. thank you
Very nice list and I urge you not to listen to he dumb islam people requesting you to remove some pictures... FREE SPEECH !!!!
If anyone is interested, I have also made a list of important events throughout history -
Can you please remove that picture that states that in the picture the man is Muhammad. As a Muslim this is very wrong, and we don't know how Muhammad looked like. This is wrong, you should do your research properly and know who`s picture you are posting. Please remove the picture.
Dear RGraf,
we, the History x class, found this source to be very useful in our research.
We have come up with a list of our top 10 moments and events in History.
We have chosen to do those only to have been written down on paper, or computer.
1. Renaissance:
The Renaissance saw an era where the world witnessed the sparkle of a new beginning. Things such as Mathematics had a new as well as vital use to the human race; and from this many advances in architecture and art was made.
2. World War 1:
This marked the first world war that killed an estimated 73 million people. Its legacy remains, to this day, frosted into the history of the world.
3. World War 2:
This marked the first use of nuclear power in the world against human beings.
4. Jesus Christ of Nazareth:
He started Christianity, and revolutionized the world into believing peace was correct. He is also the son of god.
5. Industrial Revolution:
This marked the use of mechanics and automatic machinery to shape the way countries worked and ultimately what they then had to offer.
6. First Crusade:
The First Crusade took back the holy lands of Jerusalem, opening up many trade routes as well as connections from the East side to the West. Unfortunately the land was lost approximately 200 years later to Muslims.
7. American civil war:
This event marked the end of slavery and overall liberty and freedom the people throughout Americas history and forever more remains part of the history of the world as we know it .
8. Pax Romana:
This event marked the advance of Europe in architecture and technological advances whilst encompassing peace to all its inherents.
9. The battle of adrionople:
This battle marked when the Goths took on the Romans and one, changing the way modern Europe worked and acted.
10. The collapse of the twin towers. (911)
The day marked when the world saw the face and eyes of pure evil on the morning of the 11th of September, 2001. The people who died, the country it destroyed, the country it united, the war it started and then people it affected has echoed throughout history and imprinted itself in the history of the world, also starting the biggest modern war of the 21st Century
Incredible. I just cannot believe what I'm reading... So according to you people, the day in which half of world met the other half is not the most important event in human history? Not even in the top 10?? Not even worth a mention??? Incredible. I've run out of words
Nice post about the history of Western Civilization. However, the American Revolution was not a confluence of Greek and Roman ideas with the Bible, but rather a group of statesmen under the influence of the Enlightenment (also worth listing - influence of Rationalism in not only politics, but literature, rise of the individual voice, etc) particularly that of John Locke and other early English Enlightenment authors. Also, one cannot deny the spectacular brilliance and genius that generation of statesmen possessed.
Most important date in history?.................how about our own birth?........without it.........no other history is pertinent!
Pax Romana and the Berlin Wall were minor. The Fall of the Western Roman Empire, the Napoleonic Wars and even the Bubonic Plague were of more importance. But, it is YOUR list.
I am disgusted that you would associate terrorism with our prophet. Millions of Christians have murdered and raped and yet you have not written that next to Jesus' name. Also please remove the picture of Muhammed (PBUH). Nobody knows what he looks like and so having him portrayed in an image is not right. Many people above have also politely asked you to remove it, so I would really appreciate if you would.
Thank you.
this seems to be completely speculative without any basis in fact. How ab out the discovery of fire?! I could go on and on.
This is very bad thing to create a fake picture of any personlity. this is a step outside the good action. This is very bad thing which this site include i.e the picture of Greatest Personlity of the World Muhammad (PBUH). this picture hurts the muslims, so it is better for you and your site to remove it, this step will keep peace in the world. I m actually also hurt and every muslim will hurt from this picture. kindly remove it imidetly
Hello yeah it's not just bad it's prohibited to make any sort of pictures of holy characters especially of Prophet Mohammed PBUH . Heck even his companions are prohibited create- talk about himself. Islam prohibited it. I was pleased that you actually listed Mohammed as one of the most important historical events however hurt by seeing the picture really. It would be appreciated if it was removed, please. Thank you
Very nice events in history but like many others have said here, please if you could, take down the picture of Muhammad (pbuh). It would be greatly appriciated.
there is no justification of associating somebody with fake image. it has put a big question mark on the integrity of the web administrator. Please either remove the fake picture or replace them with the genuine one if you are 100% sure which of course you are not.
Wow, great disappoint. Where is the French Revolution. Ask any historian today, it is the most important event in Western Civilization. It MADE modernity. It remodeled society. The American Revolution was merely a political movement and conflict. While the French Rev. Was apolitical, moral and societal explosion! Cannot believe it was not included.
Millions of Christians have done more than Muslims to help the needy and poor. I rarely see Muslims with soup kitchens. And I see Muslims preaching hate of America and Jews more than any others.
i like it xxD
The French revolution not on the list? Surely this is some kind of joke. Ask any competent historian, it is the most important event in Western history.
Human rights, sovereinty of the people, equality, just to name a few. ''Liberté, égalité, fraternité'' This literaly reshaped society.
In many ways I am glad that so many non-US Americans have hit back at this hub. Yes, 'most' of the information is correct, but after reading it, which was today, 27/5/13 I went straight to the comment page to find out how many people from all of these cultures retaliated. In many ways I am, as a European, sceptical when relatively young, US Americans on Hubpages, start to become experts in areas they have either, never visited or never truly studied properly. I am not hitting out at US Americans in general, there are some very knowledgable US Hubbers whom I follow on this site and many more I have probably not yet discovered here. I call your type of hub 'Copy and Paste'. As a European I have learnt about European and Eastern History quite intensely during my education. I was born in London during WWII and have, through my family, first hand knowledge of the events that took place in the few years before and after my birth. I have also lived in Germany for nearly fifty years and I, therefore, also understand how these people think. The Hub was brilliant, but the thought given to the feelings of the Europeans and Orientals of this earth was, I am afraid, not even taken into consideration. However, the time you took to do the research for this hub should be appreciated and we also learn through the opinions of others.
magnificant
Choosing only ten events is no easy feat. While virtually everybody you ask will have a different opinion, it is always nice to see a stance that has involved considerable thought.
Really good Hub, I liked the concept of text, images and then video. Of course, a Top 10 list can never be complete, but yours treats some of the most important events in history which you described very well.
I may have added evolution itself because without it, nothing of the above would have happened. In addition to that maybe the Internet, because it has had a huge impact on our society in the last two decades. But, again, you can't put everything in a Top 10 list. Voted up.
i need too write stuff about the american revloution so can u write what happend there that was importend?
Please remove the link between Islam and terrorism. If you truly studied Islam, you would know it is a religion of peace. Please think. If Islam REALLY was a religion of terrorrism, - There are more than 2.08 Billion Muslims in the world. We would all be dead by now.
Muslims allow people of different religons to peacefully live in their lands. Islam is a contunation of Christianity. We cover just like Mary and worship one God and stay away from unlawful things. Muhammad is a Prophet who came from the same God Jesus, Moses, and Noa came from. If you really got to know ISLAM, it would be clear to you. But if you want to keep the picture in your head, that is your own fault and you are denying yourself true knowledge- which only leads to ignorance.
I never get comments even though I write about similar things. This is one reason why I do not enjoy this site. People never comment.
It feels good to look back our history and the progress it brought to us now.
Interesting. contrary to some commentors I see why you listed the American revolution..it grew to create the most powerful, event changing nation on earth. This article does cause thought however such as, was there one event, decision or skirmish not mentioned that lead to WW1 which had resentment because of the Treaty of Versailles that lead to WW2 (Berlin Wall) which lead to the cold war which lead to a series of proxy wars. Anyway, you have stirred an interest in me to study the Renaissance period.
The ancient Egyptian religion established the moral foundation of all spiritual thoughts induced by the God of Abraham. the Egyptian Religion established firmly the belief in life after death, and the concept of sin itself (from spell 125 of the Book of the Dead). If you want to have a great historical moment from Egypt, express the reign of the First Female Pharaoh, Hatchepsut. That was the most significant event for the female potential because it clearly defined then that women were just as capable as men at leadership.
(response to brad) I didnt think the article was attempting to be "fair" to regions or genders but point out the event itself rather its in Europe or Asia or regardless of gender. However on your point of gender, 100 years from now we could look back and say the high abortion rate brought on by women's right to choose changed the world dramatically.
May i note how racist this article is.
Berlin split into communist vs democratic? seriously?
The only mention of Islam states terrorism, what about algebra and all the other inventions.
On the other hand, this is all near history.
I only agree with Renaissance and the printing press of the list.
How about agriculture, fire use, industrial revolution, metallurgy ?
I would argue that the Enlightenment was also crucial, more so than say Pax Romana. It's sparked a never before seen human agency that has paved the way to advancements at all levels of society.
There is something from the far east, the printing press came from beng xi a inventor from the far east just as the rennaisance was influenced by the middle east and islamic empire in the 1300s. Remember your seeing this pocket of history from your angle, the angle of the west so its bias.
More by RGraf
Albert Einstein. A name synonymous with genius. A man whose picture is next to intelligent in the dictionary. One of the most famous people of the 20th century. A man who had a brain so unlike the rest of the world’s and yet so much like our own. A man who had integrity enough to give up so much, but who had so many faults. A man so admired and revered and yet helped bring the worst evil we have yet to build. A man unlike anyone else, yet so much like each of us. Let me introduce to you Albert E
Pam 4 years ago
Very interesting choice and arguments! I would also suggest that some natural events would qualify such as the black death and the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883 that lead to global crop failures & famine, & may have been a key factor in the fomentation prior to WWI.
Just a couple thoughts on how natural events have been key.
Loved the article!!