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The battle of Hastings took place in 1066, specifically on 14th of October in England. It was fought between William, Duke of Normandy, and Harold Godwinson, the newly crowed King of England. William Norman forced defeated Harold’s army, and Harold was killed in the battle. This victory led to William becoming King of England, marking the beginning of Norman rule -
The Magna Carta was signed in 1215, specifically on the 15th of June, by King John of England at Runnymede. It was a result of pressure from rebellion barons who wanted to limit the king’s power. The document established the idea that everyone, including the King, was subject to the law. I became a foundation of modern democracy and legal rights, influencing law in many countries. -
The Black Death was a deadly plague that swept through Europe between 1347 and 1351. It was caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, often spread by fleas on rats. The disease killed an estimated 25 to 50 million people, wiping out about a third of Europe’s population. The Black Death led to major social, economic, and cultural changes, including labour shortages and the weakening of feudalism. -
The printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 in Germany. It used movable metal type, which allowed books to be produced quickly and in large numbers for the first time. This invention made knowledge more accessible, helped spread ideas across Europe, and played a major role in events like the Renaissance and the Reformation. It is considered one of the most important inventions in history. -
The Fall of Constantinople occurred on 29 May 1453, when the Ottoman Empire, led by Sultan Mehmed II, captured the capital of the Byzantine Empire. After a long siege, Ottoman forces breached the city’s walls, ending over 1,000 years of Byzantine rule. The fall marked the end of the Middle Ages for many historians and allowed the Ottomans to expand further into Europe. It also led to the migration of scholars to the West, helping spark the Renaissance. -
The Spanish Conquest of the Aztec Empire took place between 1519 and 1521. Led by Hernán Cortés, Spanish forces allied with Indigenous enemies of the Aztecs to capture Tenochtitlán. The defeat ended Aztec rule and brought Mexico under Spanish control. This marked the beginning of Spanish colonisation in the Americas. -
The American Declaration of Independence was adopted on 4 July 1776 by the Thirteen Colonies in North America. Written mainly by Thomas Jefferson, it declared the colonies’ freedom from British rule. The document stated that all men are created equal and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This marked the beginning of the United States of America as an independent nation. -
The French Revolution began in 1789 and lasted until 1799, marking a period of major political and social change in France. It was driven by economic hardship, inequality, and a desire to end the absolute monarchy. The revolution led to the execution of King Louis XVI, the rise of radical political groups, and eventually, the emergence of Napoleon Bonaparte. It inspired democratic movements around the world and challenged the power of monarchies. -
The abolition of slavery in the British Empire was officially achieved with the passing of the Slavery Abolition Act in 1833. This law freed over 800,000 enslaved people in British colonies, mainly in the Caribbean, Africa, and Canada. It was the result of long campaigns by abolitionists like William Wilberforce and growing public support. While slavery was abolished, formerly enslaved people were often forced into unpaid "apprenticeships" before gaining full freedom in 1838. -
The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the late 1700s and spread through the 1800s. It saw the shift from handmade goods to machine production in factories. New inventions, like the steam engine, boosted manufacturing, transport, and trade. This period transformed economies, cities, and daily life, but also led to poor working conditions and environmental changes. -
The Women’s Suffrage Movement fought for women’s right to vote during the 19th and early 20th centuries. In the UK, women over 30 gained the vote in 1918, with equal rights in 1928. Countries like New Zealand (1893) and Australia (1902) granted it earlier. Leaders like Emmeline Pankhurst were key in advancing gender equality. -
World War I began on 28 July 1914, after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. The event triggered a chain reaction of alliances and conflicts between major powers in Europe, including Britain, France, Russia, Germany, and Austria-Hungary. The war was fought mainly in trenches and caused massive destruction and loss of life. It marked the beginning of a new era of modern warfare and changed the political map of Europe. -
The Moon Landing took place on 20 July 1969, when NASA’s Apollo 11 mission successfully landed on the Moon. Astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the lunar surface, famously saying, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” He was joined by Buzz Aldrin, while Michael Collins orbited above in the command module. The Moon landing was a major achievement in the Space Race and showcased the power of science and technology. -
The Berlin Wall fell in 1989, specifically on the 9th of November, marking a major turning point in the world history. It has divided East and West Berlin since 1961, symbolising the broader divide between communist East and democratic West during the Cold War. After years of pressure, protest, and political change in Eastern Europe, East German authorities opened the borders. Crowed from both sides gathered to tear down the wall, leading to the reunification of Germany -
The end of apartheid in South Africa came in the early 1990s, after decades of racial segregation. Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990, and apartheid laws were dismantled. In 1994, South Africa held its first multiracial democratic elections, with Mandela becoming president. This marked the start of a new era of equality and reconciliation.