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1348 - 1351
A continent-wide epidemic, the Black Death, an outbreak of the bubonic plague, killed over 25 million people and devastated European society. -
1350-1550
The Renaissance, meaning "rebirth", was a period of time from the 1300s to the 1500s that marked a revival of society. It began in Italy as a cultural movement, and spread outward throughout Europe. -
The Renaissance, meaning "rebirth", was a period of time from the 1300s to the 1500s that marked a revival of society. It began in Italy as a cultural movement, and spread outward throughout Europe.
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1415-1417
The Council of Constance ended the controversy of the three Popes by electing Pope Martin V, and also sentenced to death Jan Hus over heretic charges. -
1450-1600
The European Age of Exploration was a crucial factor in the European transition from the agrarian economy of the middle ages to a commercial and industrial capitalistic system. -
The European Age of Exploration was a crucial factor in the European transition from the agrarian economy of the middle ages to a commercial and industrial capitalistic system.
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Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, was invaded and captured by an army of the Ottoman Empire on May 29, 1453.
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The Hundred Years War, a conflict between France and England, ended on October 19th, 1453, leaving Calais as the last English possession in France.
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In 1455, Gutenberg completed his 42-line Bible, known as the Gutenberg Bible, which was the first book printed on his movable type printing press.
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The Reconquista was completed on January 2, 1492, with the conquest of Granada.
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Columbus landed on October 12, 1492, and while he believed to have reached the West Indies, he actually reached America.
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Sixteenth Century
During the second half of the fifteenth century, the new Classical learning that was part of Italian Renaissance humanism spread to northern Europe and spawned a movement called Christian or northern Renaissance humanism whose major goal was the reform of Christianity. This movement perpetuated both the Protestant and Catholic Reformations during the 1500s. -
1500-1700
This period of history, spanning from the end of the middle ages until the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, was a period of monumental change in Europe. The entire culture of the continent changed as religion was redefined countless times, nations rose and fell, and society was reinvented. -
Sixteenth Century
The dramatic rise in prices that occurred throughout Europe in the sixteenth century, known as the Price Revolution, was a result of a large influx of gold and silver from the New World and Central Europe. -
During the second half of the fifteenth century, the new Classical learning that was part of Italian Renaissance humanism spread to northern Europe and spawned a movement called Christian or northern Renaissance humanism whose major goal was the reform of Christianity. This movement perpetuated both the Protestant and Catholic Reformations during the 1500s.
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This period of history, spanning from the end of the middle ages until the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, was a period of monumental change in Europe. The entire culture of the continent changed as religion was redefined countless times, nations rose and fell, and society was reinvented.
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The dramatic rise in prices that occurred throughout Europe in the sixteenth century, known as the Price Revolution, was a result of a large influx of gold and silver from the New World and Central Europe.
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On October 31, 1517, Luther allegedly posted his 95 Theses on the door of a church in Wittenberg, sparking the Protestant Reformation.
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Hernan Cortés conquered the Aztecs on November 8, 1519, and consequently conquered Mexico for Spain.
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1520s-1650
The European Wars of Religion were a series of religious wars waged in Europe following the onset of the Protestant Reformation, and were strongly influenced by the religious uncertainty that arose as a result of the change that occurred. Fighting occurred throughout the continent, in places such as Modern-Day Germany, France, and Britain. -
The European Wars of Religion were a series of religious wars waged in Europe following the onset of the Protestant Reformation, and were strongly influenced by the religious uncertainty that arose as a result of the change that occurred. Fighting occurred throughout the continent, in places such as Modern-Day Germany, France, and Britain.
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The Act of Supremacy in England passed in November of 1534 created the Anglican Church, with the King of England at its head.
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Throughout 1536, John Calvin established his reformed Church in Geneva.
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1543-1687
The Scientific Revolution was a period where scientists such as Galileo, Descartes, and Newton altered traditional interpretations of nature and challenged traditional sources of knowledge, revolutionizing the way that people viewed the universe and the world around them. -
Copernicus publishes his heliocentric theory in 1543, going against popular beliefs at the time. His theory was not accepted until much later, long after his death.
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The Scientific Revolution was a period where scientists such as Galileo, Descartes, and Newton altered traditional interpretations of nature and challenged traditional sources of knowledge, revolutionizing the way that people viewed the universe and the world around them.
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The Council of Trent opened on December 13, 1545 with the intention of reform in the Catholic Church.
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1550-1650
As Dutch naval power rose rapidly as a major force in the late 16th century, the Netherlands dominated global commerce during the17th century during a cultural flowering known as the Dutch Golden Age, where Dutch trade, science, military, and art were among the most acclaimed in the world. -
1550-1650
Europe from 1550 to 1660 saw a period of extreme dislocation and major change, within which saw periods boom and bust in various regions across the continent. -
As Dutch naval power rose rapidly as a major force in the late 16th century, the Netherlands dominated global commerce during the17th century during a cultural flowering known as the Dutch Golden Age, where Dutch trade, science, military, and art were among the most acclaimed in the world.
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Europe from 1550 to 1660 saw a period of extreme dislocation and major change, within which saw periods boom and bust in various regions across the continent.
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On September 25, 1555, the Peace of Augsburg officially ended the religious struggle between the Protestants and Catholics and made the legal division of Christendom permanent within the Holy Roman Empire.
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Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, October 25, 1555 abdicates the throne in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I.
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1580-1680
Witchcraft, while not an entirely new phenomenon, came to be known as sinister and dangerous when the church began to connect witches to the activities of the devil, transforming witchcraft into a heresy that need to be wiped out. -
Witchcraft, while not an entirely new phenomenon, came to be known as sinister and dangerous when the church began to connect witches to the activities of the devil, transforming witchcraft into a heresy that need to be wiped out.
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The Spanish Armada was defeated by the English on July 29, 1588, ending their naval power and establishing England as a world-class power.
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On April 30, 1598, Henry IV of France passed the Edict of Nantes, which ended the French rligious wars and granted the Huguenots substantial rights in a nation still considered essentially Catholic.
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Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries
The Commercial Revolution was a period of European economic expansion, colonialism, and mercantilism which lasted until the eighteenth century, when it was succeeded by the Industrial Revolution. -
1600-1750
Baroque art began in Italy in the last quarter of the sixteenth century and spread to the rest of Europe. Baroque artists sought to bring together the Classical ideals of Renaissance art with the spiritual feelings of the sixteenth-century religious revival. Baroque painting was known for its use of dramatic effects to heighten emotional intensity. Baroque art and architecture reflected the search for power that was a large part of the seventeenth-century ethos. -
The Commercial Revolution was a period of European economic expansion, colonialism, and mercantilism which lasted until the eighteenth century, when it was succeeded by the Industrial Revolution.
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Baroque art began in Italy in the last quarter of the sixteenth century and spread to the rest of Europe. Baroque artists sought to bring together the Classical ideals of Renaissance art with the spiritual feelings of the sixteenth-century religious revival. Baroque painting was known for its use of dramatic effects to heighten emotional intensity. Baroque art and architecture reflected the search for power that was a large part of the seventeenth-century ethos.
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The Dutch East India Company was founded on March 20, 1602, when the States General of the Netherlands granted it a 21-year monopoly to carry out trade activities in Asia.
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1603-1689
During the majority of the seventtenth century, England experienced a number of conflicts between the monarchy and Parliament, causing a massive power struggle that lasted the reigns of several kings and the rule of Oliver Cromwell, England's only dictator. -
During the majority of the seventtenth century, England experienced a number of conflicts between the monarchy and Parliament, causing a massive power struggle that lasted the reigns of several kings and the rule of Oliver Cromwell, England's only dictator.
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The Stuart Monarchy began in England on March 24, 1603 with the rule of James I.
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1643-1715
At the age of twenty-three, Louis XIV became the king of France. France during his reign has been regarded as the best example of the practice of absolute monarchy in the seventeenth century. French culture, language, and manners influenced all levels of European society. -
At the age of twenty-three, Louis XIV became the king of France. France during his reign has been regarded as the best example of the practice of absolute monarchy in the seventeenth century. French culture, language, and manners influenced all levels of European society.
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Signed between May and October of 1648, the Peace of Westphalia was a series of peace treaties that ended the Thirty Years' War.
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Charles I was executed on January 30,1649, ushering in the rule of Oliver Cromwell and the Rump Parliament.
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1650-1750
Absolute monarchy, or absolutism, meant that the sovereign power or ultimate authority in the state rested in the hands of a king who claimed to rule by divine right; Sovereign power consisted of the authority to make laws, tax, administer justice, control the state’s administrative system, and determine foreign policy. -
1650-1763
As a result of commercial rivalry,17th- and 18th-century naval conflicts broke out between England and the Dutch Republic.The wars, also called the Anglo-Dutch Wars, established England's naval might. -
1650-1763
Frederick William the Great Elector, helped establish Prussia as a power in Europe, and Prussia continued to rise in power well into the eighteenth century. -
Absolute monarchy, or absolutism, meant that the sovereign power or ultimate authority in the state rested in the hands of a king who claimed to rule by divine right; Sovereign power consisted of the authority to make laws, tax, administer justice, control the state’s administrative system, and determine foreign policy.
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As a result of commercial rivalry,17th- and 18th-century naval conflicts broke out between England and the Dutch Republic.The wars, also called the Anglo-Dutch Wars, established England's naval might.
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Frederick William the Great Elector, helped establish Prussia as a power in Europe, and Prussia continued to rise in power well into the eighteenth century.
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Peter the Great's rule of the Russian empire began on May 7, 1682.
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Newton published on July 5, 1687 his "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy", often referred to as simply the Principia, which is regarded as one of the most important works in science.
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The Glorious Revolution, also called the Revolution of 1688, was the overthrow of King James II of England by a union of English Parliamentarians with William of Orange.
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1689-1815
What was once merely the principality of Moscow, by the 18th century, the Tsardom of Russia had become the huge Russian Empire, stretching from the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth eastward to the Pacific Ocean. -
What was once merely the principality of Moscow, by the 18th century, the Tsardom of Russia had become the huge Russian Empire, stretching from the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth eastward to the Pacific Ocean.
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The Royal Charter for the Bank of England was granted on July 27, 1694 through the passage of the Tonnage Act.
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Eighteenth Century
The middle class underwent a massive expansion as a result of the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution offered both new forms of production and new scales of production that provided much more flexible investments for those in the middle class than the land held by the nobility and the Church. -
Eighteenth Century
The Agricultural Revolution was the unprecedented increase in agricultural production beginning in England due to increases in labour and land productivity. Major developments and innovations occurred, eventually leading up to the Industrial Revolution. -
Eighteenth Century
During the 18th century, a group of intellectuals known as the philosophes popularized the ideas of the Scientific Revolution and used them to undertake a dramatic reexamination of all aspects of life. Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, defined the Enlightenment as “man’s leaving his self caused immaturity.” The 18th century Enlightenment was a movement of intellectuals who dared to know. -
The middle class underwent a massive expansion as a result of the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution offered both new forms of production and new scales of production that provided much more flexible investments for those in the middle class than the land held by the nobility and the Church.
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During the 18th century, a group of intellectuals known as the philosophes popularized the ideas of the Scientific Revolution and used them to undertake a dramatic reexamination of all aspects of life. Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, defined the Enlightenment as “man’s leaving his self caused immaturity.” The 18th century Enlightenment was a movement of intellectuals who dared to know.
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The Agricultural Revolution was the unprecedented increase in agricultural production beginning in England due to increases in labour and land productivity. Major developments and innovations occurred, eventually leading up to the Industrial Revolution.
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The Treaty of Utrecht, which established the Peace of Utrecht, is a series of individual peace treaties, signed by the participantsin the War of the Spanish Succession, in the Dutch city of Utrecht in March and April 1713. The treaties helped end the war.
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King Louis XIV died on September 1,1715, ending the reign of the Sun King.
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1720-1760
Rococo was an artistic movement and style, developed in the early 18th century in Paris, France as a reaction against the grandeur, symmetry, and strict regulations of the Baroque, -
Rococo was an artistic movement and style, developed in the early 18th century in Paris, France as a reaction against the grandeur, symmetry, and strict regulations of the Baroque,
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The War of Austrian Succession began when King Frederick II of Prussia violated the Pragmatic Sanction and invaded Silesia on December 16, 1740,
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1750 - 1850
The Industrial Revolution was a period during which predominantly agrarian, rural societies became industrial and urban. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, manufacturing was often done in people’s homes, using hand tools or basic machines. Industrialization marked a shift to powered, special-purpose machinery, factories and mass production. -
The Industrial Revolution was a period during which predominantly agrarian, rural societies became industrial and urban. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, manufacturing was often done in people’s homes, using hand tools or basic machines. Industrialization marked a shift to powered, special-purpose machinery, factories and mass production.
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The Treaty of Paris, also known as the Treaty of 1763, was signed on February 10, 1763 by the kingdoms of Great Britain, France and Spain, with Portugal in agreement, after Britain's victory over France and Spain during the Seven Years' War.
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Adam Smith published Wealth of Nations on March 9,1776, which was about economic and societal conditions during the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
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On July 4, 1776, Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, forming the United States of America, and subsequently causing the Revolutionary War.
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1789-1848
During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, a number of significant revolutionary movements occurred throughout Europe, especially the French Revolution, perpetuating great change across the continent. -
During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, a number of significant revolutionary movements occurred throughout Europe, especially the French Revolution, perpetuating great change across the continent.
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The French Revolution began on July 14, 1789 with the storming of the Bastille.
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1790s - 1980s
Feminism, the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men, grew throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. -
1790s - 1914
In the 19th century, a wave of romantic nationalism swept the European continent. Newly formed countries, such as Germany, Italy and Romania were formed by uniting various regional states with a common "national identity"; Others, such as Greece, Poland and Bulgaria, were formed by winning their independence. -
Feminism, the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men, grew throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
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n the 19th century, a wave of romantic nationalism swept the European continent. Newly formed countries, such as Germany, Italy and Romania were formed by uniting various regional states with a common "national identity"; Others, such as Greece, Poland and Bulgaria, were formed by winning their independence.
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Mary Wollstonecraft begins feminist movement with the publication of "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: with Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects" in 1792.
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On November 9, 1799, Napoleon rose to power, and with a new constitution preserved the appearance of a republic but in reality established a military dictatorship.
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First half of Nineteenth Century
Romanticism was an intellectual and artistic movement that dominated Europe at the beginning of the 19th century that placed an emphasis on heart and sentiment, rejected the emphasis of reason that was present in the Enlightenment, and emphasized the importance of intuition, feeling, emotion, and imagination as sources of knowing. -
Romanticism was an intellectual and artistic movement that dominated Europe at the beginning of the 19th century that placed an emphasis on heart and sentiment, rejected the emphasis of reason that was present in the Enlightenment, and emphasized the importance of intuition, feeling, emotion, and imagination as sources of knowing.
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The Congress of Vienna, held from 1814-1815, was a conference of ambassadors of European states with the goal of establishing lasting peace in Europe.
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Napoleon abdicates the throne on June 22, 1815, and is exiled.
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1830s - 1870s
Liberalism, a political philosophy or worldview founded on ideas of liberty and equality, rose in prominence in the middle of the nineteenth century, -
Liberalism, a political philosophy or worldview founded on ideas of liberty and equality, rose in prominence in the middle of the nineteenth century,
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As a result of the London protocol on February 3, 1830, Greece is recognized as an independent, sovereign state.
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The French Revolution of 1830, also known as the July Revolution, saw the shift from one monarch to another, with a constitutional monarchy still at the head of France.
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Belgium becomes independent from the United Netherlands on October 4, 1830, as a result of the Belgian Revolution.
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Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels publish the "Communist Manifesto" on February 21, 1848.
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The Revolutions of 1848 were a series of political upheavals throughout Europe in 1848, and remain the most widespread revolutionary wave in European history,
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1850-1875
Fueled by Nationalism, countries such as Germany and Italy were formed as a result of the desire to become unified states. -
1850s - 1870s
With growing ideas of realism and materialism in the nineteenth century, Europe became more focused on materialistic ideals and grew away from ideas such as romanticism. -
1850 - 1914
The Second Industrial Revolution was characterized by large scale iron and steel production, widespread use of machinery in manufacturing, greatly increased use of steam power, use of oil, beginning of electricity and by electrical communications. -
1850 - 1914
Imperialism, a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force, grew throughout Europe into the twentieth century, eventually leading up to World War 1. -
1850 - 1920s
Into the twentieth century, Europe remained the center of scientific research, as it had for hundreds of years. Europe continued to progress as it developed new innovations and remained at the forefront of technology into the 1900s. -
1850 - 1870s
As a result of the Industrial Revolution and other events that revolutionized Europe, Europe began to grow into Modern Society, greatly changing European way of life. -
Fueled by Nationalism, countries such as Germany and Italy were formed as a result of the desire to become unified states.
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With growing ideas of realism and materialism in the nineteenth century, Europe became more focused on materialistic ideals and grew away from ideas such as romanticism.
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The Second Industrial Revolution was characterized by large scale iron and steel production, widespread use of machinery in manufacturing, greatly increased use of steam power, use of oil, beginning of electricity and by electrical communications.
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Imperialism, a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force, grew throughout Europe into the twentieth century, eventually leading up to World War 1.
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Into the twentieth century, Europe remained the center of scientific research, as it had for hundreds of years. Europe continued to progress as it developed new innovations and remained at the forefront of technology into the 1900s.
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As a result of the Industrial Revolution and other events that revolutionized Europe, Europe began to grow into Modern Society, greatly changing European way of life.
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The Crystal Palace Exhibition is held in Britain from May 1 to October 11 in 1851, as a celebration of modern industrial technology and design.
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Britain's direct rule begins in India in 1858 and lasts until 1947.
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"On the Origin of the Species" is published by author Charles Darwin on November 24, 1859,considered to be the foundation of evolutionary biology.
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On February 18, 1861, the Italian peninsula is unified into the Kingdom of Italy.
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On March 3, 1861, Alexander II emancipates the serfs in Russia with the Emancipation Manifesto.
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1870 - 1920
Modern artists experimented with new ways of seeing and with fresh ideas about the nature of materials and functions of art. Mocern Art was characterized by a tendency away from the narrative, which was characteristic for the traditional arts, and toward abstraction. -
The French Third Republic governed France from 1870 until France's defeat by Nazi Germany in 1940.
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Modern artists experimented with new ways of seeing and with fresh ideas about the nature of materials and functions of art. Mocern Art was characterized by a tendency away from the narrative, which was characteristic for the traditional arts, and toward abstraction.
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Germany is officially unified on January 18, 1871 at the Versailles Palace's Hall of Mirrors in France.
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The Paris Commune was a revolutionary and socialist government that briefly ruled Paris from March 18 until May 28 in 1871.
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The Berlin Conference of 1884–85 regulated European colonization and trade in Africa during the New Imperialism period.
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Psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, on November 4, 1899, publishes "Interpretation of Dreams" which introduces his theory of the unconscious with respect to dream interpetation.
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The Revolution of 1905 was a wave of unrest that spread throughout the Russian Empire including worker strikes, peasant unrest, and military mutinies.
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Einstein publishes his Theory of Relativity on September 26, 1905 in his work "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies."
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1914-1945
World War 1 and World War 2 saw the culmination of built up tensions within Europe and the rest of the world, causing mass destruction and many deaths across the globe. -
World War 1 begins on July 28, 1914 and lasts until November 11, 1918, with 9 million soldiers and 7 million civilians dead.
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World War 1 and World War 2 saw the culmination of built up tensions within Europe and the rest of the world, causing mass destruction and many deaths across the globe.
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The Bolshevik Revolution in Russia began on October 25, 1917, which established the world's first self-proclaimed socialist state.
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The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, five years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, ended the state of war in Europe between Germany and the Allied Powers.
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1920 - 1945
Totalitarianism was a concept used by some political scientists in which the state holds total authority over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life wherever possible. This idealogy was popular by some countries in Europe after World War 1, leading to the events of World War 2. -
Totalitarianism was a concept used by some political scientists in which the state holds total authority over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life wherever possible. This idealogy was popular by some countries in Europe after World War 1, leading to the events of World War 2.
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Benito Mussolini, on the morning of October 28, 1922, seized power in Italy and established a new Fascist government.
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The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II, beginning in the United States as a result of the stock market crash of October 29, 1929.
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On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany, and soon moved to consolidate absolute power.
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The Munich Agreement, signed on September 30, 1938, was a settlement permitting Nazi Germany's annexation of portions of Czechoslovakia, regarded as a failed act of appeasement toward Germany.
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World War II begins on September 1, 1939 with Germany's invasion of Poland.
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1945 - 1991
The Cold War was a state of political and military tension after World War II between the United States, its NATO allies and others and the Soviet Union and its allies in the Warsaw Pact. -
The Cold War was a state of political and military tension after World War II between the United States, its NATO allies and others and the Soviet Union and its allies in the Warsaw Pact.
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1945 - Present
At the end of World War II, much of Europe favored unity in democratic European countries, seen by many as an escape from the extreme forms of nationalism which had devastated the continent previously, ushering in an era of European unity. -
At the end of World War II, much of Europe favored unity in democratic European countries, seen by many as an escape from the extreme forms of nationalism which had devastated the continent previously, ushering in an era of European unity.
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With the surrender of Japan on August 15, 1945, World War II ends, a worldwide conflict that caused over 50 million casualties.
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The United Nations (UN), an multinational organization, was established after World War II on October 24, 1945, to promote international co-operation between nations.
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NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was formed on April 4, 1949, in which its members agreed to mutual defense in response to an attack by any external party.
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On April 18, 1951, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was formed, and would lead the way to the founding of the European Union.
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Joseph Stalin, at age 74, dies on March 5, 1953.
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In his speech on February 25, 1956, Khrushchev denounced Stalin and was was the strongest effort ever in the USSR to bring reconciliation and healing to the people after several decades of fear during Stalin's rule that took millions of innocent lives.
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The Hungarian Uprising of 1956 occurred from October 23 until November 10,1956, and was a revolt against the country's Soviet-imposed policies.
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Signed on March 25, 1957, the Treaty of Rome was signed, which created the European Economic Community (EEC), and also established the European Commission.
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Sputnik, the world's first artificial satellite, was launched into Earth orbit by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, at 7:28 PM, and triggered the space race.
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The French Fifth Republic is the fifth and current republican constitution of France, introduced on October 4, 1958, after the collapse of the French Fourth Republic, and was led by Charles de Gaulle.
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On the night of August 12, 1961, the Berlin Wall was erected, separating East and West Germany throughout the Cold War.
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The Second Vatican Council began on October 11, 1962, and addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world.
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The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13 day confrontation from October 14 - 28, 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet ballistic missiles deployed in Cuba. It was the closest the Cold War came to escalating into a full-scale nuclear war.
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Throughout 1968, a large number of workers, students, and poor people protested against increasingly violent state repression all around the world.
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Beginning on January 5, 1968, the "Prague Spring" was a period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia during its domination by the Soviet Union after World War II.
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The Helsinki Accords were a major diplomatic agreement signed in Helsinki, Finland, at the conclusion of the first Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, and were primarily an effort to reduce tension between the Soviet and Western blocs.
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Pope John Paul II was the head of the Roman Catholic Church from October 16, 1978 until his death on April 2, 2005. He was the second longest-serving pope in modern history.
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WIth the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan on December 24, 1979, the Soviet War in Afghanistan lasted for nine years until February 15, 1989.
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Margaret Hilda Thatcher was Prime Minister of Britain from May 4, 1979 until November 28, 1990. She was the only woman Prime Minister of England in the 20th century.
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Solidarity is a Polish trade union that was founded on September 17, 1980 and was the first trade union in a Warsaw Pact country that was not controlled by the Communist Party.
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Mikhail Gorbachev came to power on March 11, 1985, and was the eighth and last leader of the Soviet Union.
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The Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989, as the Cold War began to thaw across Eastern Europe. At this time, Communism also began to collapse, ushering in a new era for Eastern Europe.
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In 1991, ethnic conflicts begin to occur in the former Yugoslavia, lasting until even as late as 1999.
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The Soviet Union broke up on December 26, 1991, and led to the end of decades-long hostility between North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the Warsaw Pact, which had been the defining feature of the Cold War.
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The Maastricht Treaty, signed on February 7, 1992, created the European Union (EU) and led to the creation of a single currency: the Euro.
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The Euro, the official currency of the Eurozone, was adopted on January 1, 1999 by countries in the European Union.
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On September 11, 2001, a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the terrorist group Al-Qaeda on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon occurred, killing 2,996 people and causing at least $10 billion in property and infrastructure damage.
