The Twenty-First Century
From 9/11 to COVID-19 to the AI revolution — the crises and transformations defining our era.
9/11 Attacks
Al-Qaeda terrorists kill nearly 3,000 people in coordinated attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, launching the War on Terror.
US Invades Afghanistan
The United States launches Operation Enduring Freedom to destroy al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban, beginning America's longest war.
US Invades Iraq
The United States invades Iraq over disputed claims of weapons of mass destruction, destabilizing the Middle East for decades.
iPhone Launches
Apple's iPhone catalyzes the smartphone revolution, putting a supercomputer in billions of pockets and reshaping daily life worldwide.
Global Financial Crisis
The collapse of Lehman Brothers triggers the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, exposing the risks of globalized finance.
Arab Spring Begins
A Tunisian street vendor's self-immolation sparks a wave of protests across the Arab world, toppling long-standing dictators.
Russia Annexes Crimea
Russia seizes Crimea from Ukraine following the Euromaidan revolution, shattering the post-Cold War European security order.
Paris Climate Agreement
196 nations agree to limit global warming to 1.5–2°C above pre-industrial levels — the most ambitious climate commitment in history.
Brexit Referendum
The United Kingdom votes 52-48% to leave the European Union, shocking the political establishment and fueling populist movements worldwide.
COVID-19 Emerges
A novel coronavirus is identified in Wuhan, China, beginning a pandemic that will kill millions and disrupt societies worldwide.
First COVID-19 Vaccines Administered
mRNA vaccines developed in under a year begin global distribution, demonstrating extraordinary scientific achievement amid the pandemic.
Russia Invades Ukraine
Russia launches a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the largest land war in Europe since 1945, reshaping global alliances.
ChatGPT Released
OpenAI's ChatGPT reaches 100 million users in two months, sparking a global conversation about artificial intelligence's transformative potential.
WHO Declares COVID-19 Pandemic Over
The World Health Organization declares an end to COVID-19 as a global health emergency, after over 6.9 million confirmed deaths worldwide.
AI Revolution Accelerates
Artificial intelligence transforms industries from medicine to law to creative arts, sparking urgent debates about regulation, jobs, and the future of human work.