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Early humans crossed the Bering Land Bridge from Asia to North America spreading them throughout the Americas. -
circa 12,000 BCE: The last Ice Age ends, causing sea levels to rise and changing climates. This event helps shape human migration patterns as people begin moving to new regions. -
Before the Mesoamerican civilizations even began, people started turning wild teosinte into
maize, which became a very important crop. -
The first cities and writing systems appeared in southern Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq)
with the Sumerians. -
Writing was invented in Mesopotamia, marking the start of recorded history. This event divides “Prehistory” (before writing) from “History.” -
Egyptians create one of the earliest writing systems, hieroglyphics, used for religious texts and official records. -
Sumerians in Mesopotamia develop cuneiform writing the first known system of writing, which was initially used for keeping records, such as trade transactions, and later for legal documents and literature. -
Civilizations develop along major rivers: Mesopotamia (Tigris and Euphrates), Egypt (Nile), the Indus Valley, and China (Yellow River). Rivers provide fertile land and resources, essential for sustaining these early societies. -
The Great Pyramid of Giza is built during the reign of Pharaoh Khufu in Ancient Egypt. It remains one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. -
In Mesoamerica, early complex societies began to form, setting the stage for later cultures. -
Sargon of Akkad established one of the world’s first empires, uniting many Mesopotamian
city-states. -
Babylon grew as an important center of culture and law, famous later for Hammurabi’s Code. -
The Olmec civilization starts in Mesoamerica, influencing later cultures like the Maya and Aztec through its art, religion, and social organization. -
This traditional date marks the beginning of Greek cultural events and athletic competitions. -
Babylon was conquered by Cyrus the Great of Persia, marking the end of Babylonian
independence. -
Greek city-states united to defend their lands against Persian invasions, an important
chapter in Greek history. -
This “Golden Age” saw great achievements in art, philosophy, and politics in Greece.
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Alexander’s passing led to the spread of Greek culture across a vast area, starting the
Hellenistic era. -
After a series of conflicts, Rome conquered Greece, bringing an end to Greek political
independence. -
Large cities and centralized states like Teotihuacan and Monte Albán flourished in
Mesoamerica. -
New cultures emerged, such as the Toltecs, Mayan kingdoms, and the Mexica (Aztec)
Empire. -
The Maya develop a complex society with city-states, hieroglyphic writing, and achievements in astronomy and mathematics. -
The Chavín culture develops in the Andes then the Moche (100–700 CE) and Inca (1438–1533 CE) civilizations. -
The arrival of Spanish forces led to major changes and the end of indigenous state systems in the region. -
The Spanish conquer Tayasal (it is a place), the last independent Mayan city, ending the Maya civilization’s independence. -
The United Nations creates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, establishing an international standard for human rights.