Modern History timeline By TimPilton May 13, 1787 European Settlement of Australia Period: Jul 14, 1789 to Nov 9, 1799 French Revolution 1808 Spanish American Wars of Independence Period: 1857 to 1858 Indian Rebellion (Sepoy Mutiny) Period: Apr 12, 1861 to May 13, 1865 US Civil War 1928 Discovery of Penicillin Period: Nov 1, 1955 to Apr 30, 1975 Vietnam War Jul 1, 1997 Hong Kong Returns to China