History on the calendar
What happened, year by year
165 in-depth articles on the events Americans still look up, each tied to the exact day it happened and linked to the full calendar for that year.
2027
A year of global championships, a long solar eclipse and landmark technology anniversaries
2027 timelineThe iPhone's 20th Anniversary in 2027: Two Key Dates
January 9, 2027 marks 20 years since Apple introduced the iPhone; June 29 marks 20 years since the original model first went on sale in the United States.
Saturday, January 9, 2027SportsSuper Bowl LXI: Confirmed Date and Venue for 2027
Super Bowl LXI is scheduled for February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The teams and result will be determined by the 2026 NFL season.
Sunday, February 14, 2027Sports2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil: Confirmed Dates and Format
Brazil is scheduled to host the FIFA Women's World Cup from June 24 through July 25, 2027, with 32 teams playing 64 matches across eight host cities.
Thursday, June 24, 2027ScienceTotal Solar Eclipse of August 2, 2027: Where It Is Visible
A total solar eclipse on August 2, 2027 will cross southern Spain, North Africa and parts of the Middle East; the United States is outside totality.
Monday, August 2, 2027SpaceVoyager's 50th Anniversary in 2027: Launch Dates and Legacy
Voyager 2's launch turns 50 on August 20, 2027, followed by Voyager 1 on September 5, marking half a century since NASA's outer-planet mission began.
Friday, August 20, 20272026
America's 250th year, a crewed return to lunar distance and a summer of global sport
2026 timelineMilano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Results and Legacy
The Winter Olympics spread events across northern Italy, added ski mountaineering and produced a record 33-medal performance for Team USA.
Friday, February 6, 2026SpaceArtemis II Carries Astronauts around the Moon
Four astronauts tested Orion and the Space Launch System on a ten-day lunar flyby, taking people to the Moon's vicinity for the first time since 1972.
Wednesday, April 1, 2026SocietyAmerica 250: The United States Semiquincentennial
The United States marked 250 years since adoption of the Declaration of Independence with national ceremonies, local events and historical reflection.
Saturday, July 4, 2026Sports2026 FIFA World Cup: Spain Wins the 48-Team Tournament
Spain defeated Argentina after extra time in New Jersey to win the first 48-team men's World Cup, staged across sixteen North American host cities.
Sunday, July 19, 2026SpaceNancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Launches
NASA's Roman Space Telescope launched on a Falcon Heavy to begin wide-field infrared surveys of dark energy, galaxies and planets beyond the solar system.
Sunday, August 30, 20262025
A year of a new administration, destructive fires, tariff shocks and an American pope
2025 timelineThe Los Angeles Wildfires That Began January 7, 2025
Extreme Santa Ana winds drove the Palisades and Eaton fires through Pacific Palisades and Altadena, killing 31 people and destroying thousands of structures.
Tuesday, January 7, 2025PoliticsDonald Trump's Second Inauguration on January 20, 2025
Donald Trump took the oath as the 47th president inside the Capitol Rotunda, beginning a nonconsecutive second term during extreme cold.
Monday, January 20, 2025BusinessTrump's Reciprocal Tariffs Announced on April 2, 2025
President Trump announced a 10% baseline import tariff and higher country-specific rates, beginning months of pauses, negotiations and court disputes.
Wednesday, April 2, 2025WorldRobert Prevost Is Elected Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago became Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff from the United States, after the conclave's fourth ballot.
Thursday, May 8, 2025PoliticsThe 2025 Government Shutdown Ends After a Record 42 Days
A federal funding law ended the 42-day shutdown that began October 1, restoring operations and guaranteeing back pay while extending other budget talks.
Wednesday, November 12, 20252024
A year of political upheaval, a coast-to-coast eclipse, historic spaceflight and severe storms
2024 timelineOdysseus Lands on the Moon on February 22, 2024
Intuitive Machines' Odysseus became the first commercial spacecraft to soft-land on the Moon and the first US lunar lander since Apollo 17.
Thursday, February 22, 2024DisasterFrancis Scott Key Bridge Collapse on March 26, 2024
The containership Dali lost power and struck a Key Bridge support pier, collapsing the main span and killing six highway workers.
Tuesday, March 26, 2024ScienceThe April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Across America
A total solar eclipse crossed the United States from Texas to Maine, drawing millions into the path where the Moon completely covered the Sun.
Monday, April 8, 2024DisasterHurricane Helene: Landfall and Appalachian Flooding in 2024
Helene struck Florida as a Category 4 hurricane and caused deadly storm surge, wind, landslides and catastrophic flooding across Appalachia.
Thursday, September 26, 2024PoliticsThe 2024 Presidential Election: Trump Defeats Harris
Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, winning 312 electoral votes and returning to the presidency after four years out of office.
Tuesday, November 5, 2024East Palestine Train Derailment: What Happened in 2023
A Norfolk Southern freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 3, 2023, releasing hazardous materials and forcing a local evacuation.
Friday, February 3, 2023BusinessSilicon Valley Bank Collapse: What Happened in March 2023
Regulators closed Silicon Valley Bank on March 10, 2023, after rising rates, investment losses and a historic run by largely uninsured depositors overwhelmed it.
Friday, March 10, 2023Law & justiceSupreme Court Affirmative Action Ruling of June 29, 2023
The Supreme Court ruled against admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina on June 29, 2023, sharply limiting the use of race in college admissions.
Thursday, June 29, 2023DisasterMaui Wildfires of August 8, 2023: What Happened
Wind-driven fires struck Maui on August 8, 2023, killing 102 people and destroying much of Lahaina in the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century.
Tuesday, August 8, 2023BusinessUAW Stand Up Strike Begins on September 15, 2023
The United Auto Workers began a selective strike against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis on September 15, 2023, the union's first against all three at once.
Friday, September 15, 2023Russia Invades Ukraine on February 24, 2022
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, opening the largest war in Europe in generations and reshaping US foreign policy.
Thursday, February 24, 2022DisasterUvalde School Shooting on May 24, 2022
A gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas; investigations later found profound failures in the response.
Tuesday, May 24, 2022Law & justiceDobbs Overrules Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022
The Supreme Court's Dobbs decision upheld Mississippi's 15-week abortion ban and overruled Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.
Friday, June 24, 2022SpaceWebb Telescope's First Images Released July 12, 2022
NASA and its partners released the James Webb Space Telescope's first full-color images and spectroscopic data on July 12, 2022.
Tuesday, July 12, 2022DisasterHurricane Ian Strikes Florida on September 28, 2022
Hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa, Florida, with 150 mph winds, producing catastrophic storm surge, flooding and widespread destruction.
Wednesday, September 28, 20222021
A year of democratic strain, mass vaccination, an Afghanistan exit and ambitious space missions
2021 timelineJanuary 6 Capitol Attack: What Happened and Why
A mob supporting President Donald Trump breached the Capitol and interrupted Congress as lawmakers counted electoral votes from the 2020 presidential election.
Wednesday, January 6, 2021SpacePerseverance Lands on Mars in Jezero Crater
NASA's Perseverance rover survived a high-speed atmospheric entry and sky-crane landing to begin a mission studying ancient environments and collecting samples.
Thursday, February 18, 2021Law & justiceHow Juneteenth Became a Federal Holiday in 2021
President Joe Biden signed legislation making June 19 Juneteenth National Independence Day, following decades of commemoration and expanding state recognition.
Thursday, June 17, 2021MilitaryThe Final US Military Withdrawal from Afghanistan
The last US military aircraft left Kabul after an emergency evacuation, ending nearly twenty years of American military operations in Afghanistan.
Monday, August 30, 2021SpaceJames Webb Space Telescope Launches on Christmas Day
An Ariane 5 rocket launched the James Webb Space Telescope, beginning a month of complex deployments on the observatory's journey toward the Sun-Earth L2 region.
Saturday, December 25, 20212020
A pandemic year of mass loss, economic shock, racial-justice protests and a disputed election
2020 timelineWHO Declares COVID-19 a Pandemic on March 11, 2020
The World Health Organization characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic as cases spread across continents, accelerating emergency measures in the United States.
Wednesday, March 11, 2020PoliticsThe CARES Act: What the $2.2 Trillion Relief Law Did
Congress and President Trump enacted a large emergency package of payments, unemployment support, business loans and public-health funding as the pandemic disrupted the economy.
Friday, March 27, 2020SocietyGeorge Floyd's Murder and the Protests That Followed
Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd during an arrest in Minneapolis, and bystander video helped prompt a nationwide protest movement over policing and racial injustice.
Monday, May 25, 2020SpaceCrew Dragon Demo-2 Restarts US Human Spaceflight
NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley launched on SpaceX's Crew Dragon, the first crewed orbital mission from US soil since the space shuttle retired.
Saturday, May 30, 2020PoliticsThe 2020 Presidential Election: Results and Certification
Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump after record turnout, expanded mail voting and weeks of unsuccessful court challenges to certified state results.
Tuesday, November 3, 20202019
A year of constitutional conflict, scientific firsts, mass protest and a historic title run
2019 timelineThe 2019 Government Shutdown Ends After 35 Days
A temporary funding law reopened affected federal agencies after the longest US government shutdown, ending 35 days of delayed pay and services.
Friday, January 25, 2019PoliticsRobert Mueller Submits His Report on March 22, 2019
Special Counsel Robert Mueller delivered his report on Russian election interference to Attorney General William Barr after a 22-month investigation.
Friday, March 22, 2019ScienceThe First Black Hole Image Revealed on April 10, 2019
The Event Horizon Telescope collaboration unveiled the first image of a black hole's shadow, reconstructed from radio observations of M87.
Wednesday, April 10, 2019SocietyEl Paso Walmart Shooting: What Happened on August 3, 2019
A racist gun attack at an El Paso Walmart killed 23 people and injured 22, striking a binational community and leading to federal hate-crime convictions.
Saturday, August 3, 2019PoliticsThe House Impeaches Donald Trump on December 18, 2019
The House approved articles of impeachment for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, making Donald Trump the third impeached US president.
Wednesday, December 18, 20192018
A year of youth-led protest, daring rescues, political change and destructive wildfires
2018 timelineHawaii's False Missile Alert on January 13, 2018
A mistaken emergency alert warned Hawaii residents of an incoming ballistic missile, creating 38 minutes of fear before the state sent a correction.
Saturday, January 13, 2018SpaceFalcon Heavy's First Flight on February 6, 2018
SpaceX launched Falcon Heavy for the first time, sent a Tesla Roadster toward a solar orbit and landed two boosters side by side in Florida.
Tuesday, February 6, 2018SocietyParkland School Shooting: What Happened on February 14, 2018
A former student killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, prompting investigations, school-safety changes and youth-led activism.
Wednesday, February 14, 2018WorldThe Trump–Kim Singapore Summit on June 12, 2018
Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un held the first meeting between sitting US and North Korean leaders and signed a broad four-point joint statement.
Tuesday, June 12, 2018DisasterThe Camp Fire: What Happened on November 8, 2018
The Camp Fire swept through Paradise and nearby communities, killing 85 people and destroying 18,804 structures before containment.
Thursday, November 8, 20182017
A year of mass protest, deadly storms, a coast-to-coast eclipse and deep political conflict
2017 timelineWomen's March of 2017: The Day After the Inauguration
The Women's March brought enormous crowds to Washington and hundreds of related demonstrations one day after Donald Trump's inauguration.
Saturday, January 21, 2017SocietyCharlottesville Rally of 2017: Violence and Accountability
A white-supremacist rally brought violence to Charlottesville, where a car attack killed Heather Heyer and injured dozens of counter-protesters.
Saturday, August 12, 2017Science2017 Total Solar Eclipse: Path, Timing and Safe Viewing
A total solar eclipse crossed the United States from Oregon to South Carolina, while all of North America saw at least a partial eclipse.
Monday, August 21, 2017DisasterHurricane Harvey in 2017: Landfall, Flooding and Recovery
Harvey struck Texas as a Category 4 hurricane, then stalled and produced catastrophic rainfall and flooding around Houston.
Friday, August 25, 2017SocietyLas Vegas Shooting of October 1, 2017: What Is Known
A gunman fired from Mandalay Bay into a music festival crowd, killing 58 people that night and wounding hundreds.
Sunday, October 1, 20172016
A year of political upheaval, tragedy in Orlando, mobile-game crowds and a Cubs championship
2016 timelinePulse Nightclub Shooting: What Happened on June 12, 2016
A gunman murdered 49 people at Pulse during Latin Night, turning an LGBTQ gathering place into the site of a terrorist attack and mass shooting.
Sunday, June 12, 2016WorldBrexit Referendum of 2016: Result, Causes and Timeline
UK voters chose to leave the European Union by 51.9% to 48.1%, beginning a long negotiation over trade, borders and sovereignty.
Thursday, June 23, 2016TechnologyPokémon Go Launch in 2016: How the Game Changed Mobile Play
Niantic's location-based mobile game sent players into public spaces to catch Pokémon, visit landmarks and meet other players.
Wednesday, July 6, 2016SportsChicago Cubs Win the 2016 World Series After 108 Years
The Cubs beat Cleveland 8–7 in ten innings of Game 7, completing a comeback and ending a championship drought dating to 1908.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016Politics2016 Presidential Election: How Donald Trump Won
Donald Trump won an Electoral College majority over Hillary Clinton while losing the national popular vote by nearly 2.9 million.
Tuesday, November 8, 20162015
A year of marriage equality, climate diplomacy, racial reckoning and reusable-rocketry progress
2015 timelineThe FCC's 2015 Net Neutrality Order: Rules and Reversal
The FCC adopted rules against broadband blocking, throttling and paid prioritization while classifying internet access under Title II.
Thursday, February 26, 2015SocietyCharleston Church Shooting: June 17, 2015 and Its Aftermath
A white supremacist murdered nine Black worshippers at Emanuel AME Church, prompting grief, prosecutions and debate over Confederate symbols.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015Law & justiceObergefell v. Hodges: Marriage Equality in 2015
The Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry throughout the United States.
Friday, June 26, 2015WorldParis Climate Agreement: What Nations Adopted in 2015
Nearly every nation adopted a shared climate framework built on national plans, transparency and stronger action over time.
Saturday, December 12, 2015SpaceSpaceX Falcon 9 Landing on December 21, 2015
SpaceX launched eleven Orbcomm satellites and returned the Falcon 9 first stage to a powered landing near its Florida launch site.
Monday, December 21, 20152014
A year of protest, public-health alarms, a missing airliner and a historic comet landing
2014 timelineMH370 Disappearance: What Happened on March 8, 2014
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared with 239 people aboard, leading to an unprecedented but inconclusive multinational search.
Saturday, March 8, 2014HealthFlint Water Source Switch: How the 2014 Crisis Began
Flint began using the Flint River without corrosion control, exposing residents to lead released from aging plumbing.
Friday, April 25, 2014Law & justiceBurwell v. Hobby Lobby: The 2014 Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court held that closely held companies could claim religious protection from a federal contraceptive-coverage requirement.
Monday, June 30, 2014SocietyFerguson Protests of 2014: Michael Brown and What Followed
Michael Brown's death led to months of protest, two federal investigations and national scrutiny of policing and municipal courts.
Saturday, August 9, 2014SpacePhilae Comet Landing: The Bounces That Made Space History
ESA's Philae probe became the first lander to reach a comet's surface, bouncing twice before returning data from an unexpected site.
Wednesday, November 12, 20142013
A year of surveillance disclosures, a Boston tragedy, civil-rights rulings and a shutdown
2013 timelineBoston Marathon Bombing: What Happened on April 15, 2013
Two bombs near the Boston Marathon finish line killed three people, injured hundreds and began a four-day investigation and manhunt.
Monday, April 15, 2013DisasterMoore Tornado of May 20, 2013: Path, Damage and Recovery
An EF5 tornado crossed the Oklahoma City metro area, killing 24 people and destroying neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Monday, May 20, 2013PoliticsSnowden and the 2013 NSA Disclosures: What They Revealed
Documents provided by Edward Snowden exposed secret US surveillance programs and started a lasting debate over privacy, security and oversight.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013Law & justiceUnited States v. Windsor: The 2013 DOMA Decision Explained
The Supreme Court invalidated DOMA's federal definition of marriage, requiring federal recognition of lawful same-sex marriages.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013PoliticsThe 2013 US Government Shutdown: Dates, Causes and Effects
A funding lapse shut many federal operations for sixteen days amid conflict over spending and the Affordable Care Act.
Tuesday, October 1, 20132012
A reelection year marked by online protest, landmark science, Hurricane Sandy and national grief
2012 timelineSOPA Blackout, January 18, 2012: Why the Web Went Dark
Wikipedia, Reddit and thousands of websites protested SOPA and PIPA on January 18, 2012, helping stop votes on the proposed copyright bills.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012Law & justice2012 Affordable Care Act Ruling: What the Supreme Court Decided
The Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act's coverage requirement as a tax on June 28, 2012, while making Medicaid expansion optional for states.
Thursday, June 28, 2012ScienceHiggs Boson Announcement, July 4, 2012: What CERN Found
ATLAS and CMS announced a new particle near 125 GeV on July 4, 2012; later measurements confirmed it had the expected properties of a Higgs boson.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012SpaceCuriosity Rover Lands August 6, 2012: The Sky Crane Explained
NASA's Curiosity rover landed in Gale Crater on August 6, 2012, using a rocket-powered sky crane and began studying whether ancient Mars was habitable.
Monday, August 6, 2012DisasterHurricane Sandy, October 29, 2012: Track, Surge and Recovery
Sandy made landfall near Brigantine, New Jersey, on October 29, 2012, driving destructive storm surge into New York and New Jersey.
Monday, October 29, 20122011
A year of protest, severe disasters, a final shuttle flight and the raid that killed bin Laden
2011 timelineTucson Shooting, January 8, 2011: Victims, Response and Recovery
A gunman attacked Representative Gabrielle Giffords's constituent event on January 8, 2011, killing six people and injuring thirteen.
Saturday, January 8, 2011MilitaryOsama bin Laden Raid, May 2, 2011: Operation Neptune Spear
US Navy SEALs killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden at an Abbottabad compound during Operation Neptune Spear early on May 2, 2011.
Monday, May 2, 2011DisasterJoplin Tornado, May 22, 2011: Timeline, Warnings and Recovery
An EF5 tornado crossed Joplin, Missouri, on May 22, 2011, killing 161 people, injuring more than 1,000 and destroying thousands of buildings.
Sunday, May 22, 2011SpaceFinal Space Shuttle Mission, July 8, 2011: Atlantis STS-135
Atlantis launched on STS-135 on July 8, 2011, delivered supplies to the International Space Station and ended NASA's shuttle program on July 21.
Friday, July 8, 2011TechnologySteve Jobs Dies October 5, 2011: Apple, Pixar and His Legacy
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs died on October 5, 2011, at age 56 after helping shape personal computers, digital animation, music players and smartphones.
Wednesday, October 5, 20112010
A year of health reform, an oil-spill disaster, new tablets and a changing Congress
2010 timelineCitizens United Decision, January 21, 2010: What Changed
The Supreme Court ruled in Citizens United v. FEC on January 21, 2010, that corporations and unions could fund independent political communications.
Thursday, January 21, 2010Law & justiceAffordable Care Act Signed March 23, 2010: What the Law Did
President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act on March 23, 2010, expanding coverage and changing federal rules for health insurance.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010TechnologyFirst iPad Released April 3, 2010: Price, Features and Impact
Apple released the first iPad on April 3, 2010, selling more than 300,000 on its first day and establishing a mainstream market for touchscreen tablets.
Saturday, April 3, 2010DisasterDeepwater Horizon Explosion, April 20, 2010: Spill and Impact
The Deepwater Horizon rig exploded on April 20, 2010, killing eleven workers and beginning an 87-day oil release from BP's Macondo well.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010Law & justiceDodd-Frank Act Signed July 21, 2010: Rules After the Crisis
President Barack Obama signed Dodd-Frank on July 21, 2010, creating new consumer protections and oversight mechanisms after the financial crisis.
Wednesday, July 21, 20102009
The year of a new president, a recession's turning point, Flight 1549 and the H1N1 pandemic
2009 timelineUS Airways Flight 1549 Lands on the Hudson River
US Airways Flight 1549 lost thrust in both engines after striking birds and landed on the Hudson River; all 155 people aboard survived.
Thursday, January 15, 2009PoliticsBarack Obama's First Inauguration on January 20, 2009
Barack Obama became the 44th US president and the first African American to hold the office during the January 20, 2009 inauguration.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009HealthThe 2009 H1N1 Flu Pandemic in the United States
The United States declared a public health emergency for a new H1N1 influenza virus on April 26, 2009, before a global pandemic and autumn wave.
Sunday, April 26, 2009BusinessGeneral Motors Files for Bankruptcy on June 1, 2009
General Motors entered Chapter 11 on June 1, 2009, in a government-backed restructuring that moved core operations into a new company.
Monday, June 1, 2009Law & justiceSonia Sotomayor Confirmed to the Supreme Court in 2009
The Senate confirmed Sonia Sotomayor 68-31 on August 6, 2009; she became the first Latina and the third woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
Thursday, August 6, 20092008
The year of a financial crash, an historic election, eight Phelps golds and the App Store
2008 timelineBear Stearns Rescue and Sale, March 16, 2008
JPMorgan Chase agreed to buy Bear Stearns on March 16, 2008, after a run on short-term funding left the investment bank near collapse.
Sunday, March 16, 2008Law & justiceDistrict of Columbia v. Heller Decision, June 26, 2008
In District of Columbia v. Heller, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a handgun at home.
Thursday, June 26, 2008SportsMichael Phelps Wins Eight Gold Medals at the 2008 Olympics
Michael Phelps won his eighth gold medal of the Beijing Olympics on August 17, 2008, surpassing Mark Spitz's record for golds at one Games.
Sunday, August 17, 2008BusinessLehman Brothers Bankruptcy, September 15, 2008
Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy on September 15, 2008, after failing to find a buyer or government-supported rescue, accelerating the global financial crisis.
Monday, September 15, 2008PoliticsBarack Obama Elected President on November 4, 2008
Barack Obama defeated John McCain on November 4, 2008, winning 365 electoral votes and becoming the first African American elected US president.
Tuesday, November 4, 20082007
The year of the first iPhone, a bridge collapse, Virginia Tech and the first Kindle
2007 timelineFirst iPhone Introduced on January 9, 2007
Steve Jobs introduced Apple's first iPhone on January 9, 2007, combining a phone, iPod and web device around a 3.5-inch multitouch screen.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007SocietyVirginia Tech Shooting, April 16, 2007: What Happened
A Virginia Tech student killed 32 students and faculty members in two campus attacks on April 16, 2007, before dying by suicide in Norris Hall.
Monday, April 16, 2007EntertainmentHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Released in 2007
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows went on sale at 12:01 a.m. on July 21, 2007, closing J.K. Rowling's seven-volume series amid record demand.
Saturday, July 21, 2007DisasterI-35W Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis, August 1, 2007
The I-35W bridge in Minneapolis collapsed during evening traffic on August 1, 2007, killing 13 people and injuring 145 when 1,000 feet of deck fell.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007TechnologyAmazon Launches the First Kindle on November 19, 2007
Amazon introduced the first Kindle on November 19, 2007, a $399 electronic reader that downloaded more than 90,000 available books over a cellular network.
Monday, November 19, 20072006
The year of Twitter's first post, mass immigration marches, Pluto's new status and Nintendo Wii
2006 timelineThe First Twitter Post Was Sent on March 21, 2006
Jack Dorsey sent the first message on a prototype called twttr on March 21, 2006. The SMS status service opened publicly that July and grew into Twitter.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006SocietyThe 2006 Immigration Marches and a Day Without Immigrants
Millions joined immigration-reform demonstrations in spring 2006. The May 1 boycott asked participants to stay away from work, school and shopping.
Monday, May 1, 2006ScienceWhy Pluto Became a Dwarf Planet on August 24, 2006
Astronomers adopted a formal planet definition that required an object to clear its orbital neighborhood. Pluto did not qualify and became a dwarf planet.
Thursday, August 24, 2006Politics2006 Midterm Elections: Democrats Win Congress on November 7
Democrats won the House and a narrow Senate majority in the 2006 midterms, ending Republican control of Congress and setting up divided government.
Tuesday, November 7, 2006TechnologyNintendo Wii Launches in North America on November 19, 2006
Nintendo launched Wii at $249.99 with Wii Sports included. Its motion-sensing remote made bowling, tennis and other games approachable for new players.
Sunday, November 19, 20062005
The year of YouTube's first upload, Hurricane Katrina, a comet collision and a new Xbox
2005 timelineYouTube Launches in 2005: From First Upload to Video Giant
YouTube's domain was registered on February 14, 2005. Within months, its simple upload-and-play system was turning home videos into a new form of mass media.
Monday, February 14, 2005SpaceNASA's Deep Impact Strikes Comet Tempel 1 on July 4, 2005
NASA deliberately placed an 820-pound probe in the path of comet Tempel 1, exposing buried ice, dust and organic material for instruments to examine.
Monday, July 4, 2005DisasterHurricane Katrina Strikes the Gulf Coast, August 29, 2005
Katrina struck the northern Gulf Coast as a large Category 3 hurricane. Storm surge and levee failures caused catastrophic loss across Mississippi and New Orleans.
Monday, August 29, 2005SocietyRosa Parks Dies on October 24, 2005: Her Life and Legacy
Rosa Parks died at age 92 nearly 50 years after her arrest helped launch the Montgomery bus boycott. She became the first woman to lie in honor at the Capitol.
Monday, October 24, 2005TechnologyXbox 360 Launches on November 22, 2005
Microsoft released Xbox 360 in North America with high-definition graphics, wireless controllers and a redesigned Xbox Live service built into the console.
Tuesday, November 22, 20052004
The year of Mars rovers, Facebook's debut, a hard-fought election and Boston's long-awaited title
2004 timelineSpirit and Opportunity Land on Mars, January 2004
NASA's twin Mars Exploration Rovers landed three weeks apart in January 2004. Built for 90 Martian days, Spirit worked for six years and Opportunity for more than 14.
Saturday, January 3, 2004TechnologyFacebook Launched February 4, 2004: How a Harvard Site Took Off
Mark Zuckerberg launched TheFacebook for Harvard students on February 4, 2004. Within weeks it spread to other campuses, and by 2006 anyone 13 or older could join.
Wednesday, February 4, 2004SportsRed Sox Win the 2004 World Series, Ending an 86-Year Drought
The Boston Red Sox swept the St. Louis Cardinals on October 27, 2004, for their first World Series title since 1918, a week after an unprecedented comeback against the Yankees.
Wednesday, October 27, 2004Politics2004 Presidential Election: Bush Defeats Kerry on November 2
President George W. Bush won a second term on November 2, 2004, defeating Senator John Kerry with 286 electoral votes and 50.7 percent of the popular vote. Ohio decided the race.
Tuesday, November 2, 2004Disaster2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: What Happened on December 26
A magnitude 9.1 earthquake off Sumatra generated the deadliest recorded tsunami, killing or leaving missing 227,899 people across 15 countries.
Sunday, December 26, 20042003
The year of the Iraq invasion, the Columbia loss, the great blackout and the iTunes Store
2003 timelineSpace Shuttle Columbia Disaster, February 1, 2003: What Happened
Space shuttle Columbia broke apart over Texas while returning to Earth on February 1, 2003, killing its seven astronauts about 16 minutes before its scheduled landing in Florida.
Saturday, February 1, 2003MilitaryIraq War Begins, March 2003: The Invasion and the Fall of Baghdad
The Iraq War began on March 19, 2003, US time, when President Bush announced strikes on Iraq; the invasion toppled Saddam Hussein's government, and Baghdad fell on April 9.
Thursday, March 20, 2003TechnologyiTunes Music Store Launches April 28, 2003: 99-Cent Songs
Apple opened the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, selling songs from all five major record labels for 99 cents each and selling 1 million tracks in its first week.
Monday, April 28, 2003DisasterNortheast Blackout of 2003: What Happened on August 14
On August 14, 2003, a cascading power failure that began in northern Ohio cut electricity to about 50 million people in eight US states and Ontario, the worst blackout in North American history.
Thursday, August 14, 2003PoliticsCalifornia Recall Election, October 7, 2003: Schwarzenegger Wins
California voters recalled Governor Gray Davis on October 7, 2003, and elected actor Arnold Schwarzenegger to replace him from a ballot of 135 candidates.
Tuesday, October 7, 20032002
The year of homeland security, the WorldCom collapse, a Salt Lake City Olympics and the first American Idol
2002 timeline2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics: Security, Scandal and Medals
The 2002 Winter Olympics ran from February 8 to 24 in Salt Lake City, the first Games after September 11, and the United States won 34 medals, including a record 10 golds.
Friday, February 8, 2002DisasterQuecreek Mine Rescue, July 2002: Nine Miners Saved After 77 Hours
Nine coal miners trapped by floodwater in the Quecreek Mine on July 24, 2002, were pulled to the surface alive in the early hours of July 28 after about 77 hours underground.
Wednesday, July 24, 2002BusinessSarbanes-Oxley Act Signed July 30, 2002: The Post-Enron Reform
President George W. Bush signed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on July 30, 2002, creating a federal overseer for auditors and making executives personally certify their companies' financial reports.
Tuesday, July 30, 2002EntertainmentKelly Clarkson Wins the First American Idol, September 4, 2002
Kelly Clarkson, a 20-year-old from Burleson, Texas, won the first season of American Idol on September 4, 2002, taking about 58 percent of 15.5 million viewer votes.
Wednesday, September 4, 2002PoliticsHomeland Security Act Signed November 25, 2002: DHS Is Created
President George W. Bush signed the Homeland Security Act on November 25, 2002, creating the Department of Homeland Security from all or part of 22 federal agencies with about 170,000 employees.
Monday, November 25, 20022001
The year of the September 11 attacks, the first iPod, Enron's collapse and a November World Series
2001 timelineWhat Happened on September 11, 2001: The Attacks and Their Legacy
On September 11, 2001, hijackers crashed four airliners into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field, killing 2,977 people and changing American security policy.
Tuesday, September 11, 2001TechnologyApple Introduces the iPod, October 23, 2001: Specs, Price, Legacy
Apple introduced the original iPod on October 23, 2001, a $399 music player with a 5GB hard drive and a scroll wheel that went on sale November 10.
Tuesday, October 23, 2001Law & justiceUSA PATRIOT Act Signed October 26, 2001: What the Law Did
President George W. Bush signed the USA PATRIOT Act on October 26, 2001, giving federal investigators broad new surveillance and information-sharing powers 45 days after the September 11 attacks.
Friday, October 26, 2001Sports2001 World Series: Diamondbacks Beat the Yankees in Game 7
The Arizona Diamondbacks won the 2001 World Series on November 4 when Luis Gonzalez singled off Mariano Rivera in the ninth inning of Game 7, ending the Yankees' three-year title run.
Sunday, November 4, 2001BusinessEnron Bankruptcy, December 2, 2001: How the Energy Giant Fell
Enron filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on December 2, 2001, with $63.4 billion in assets, the largest corporate bankruptcy in US history at the time, after accounting revelations erased its stock.
Sunday, December 2, 20012000
The year Y2K fizzled, the dot-com bubble peaked and a 537-vote margin decided the presidency
2000 timelineY2K Bug: What Happened on January 1, 2000
The Y2K bug threatened computers that stored years as two digits. When January 1, 2000, arrived, only minor glitches appeared after years of costly repairs.
Saturday, January 1, 2000BusinessDot-Com Bubble Peak: Nasdaq Closes at 5,048.62 on March 10, 2000
The Nasdaq Composite closed at a record 5,048.62 on March 10, 2000, the peak of the dot-com bubble. By October 2002 it had fallen about 78 percent.
Friday, March 10, 2000ScienceHuman Genome Draft Announced at the White House, June 26, 2000
On June 26, 2000, President Clinton, Francis Collins and Craig Venter announced a working draft of the human genome, the first survey of nearly all human DNA.
Monday, June 26, 2000SpaceISS Expedition 1: First Crew Arrives on November 2, 2000
On November 2, 2000, Expedition 1 docked with the International Space Station, beginning a continuous human presence in orbit that has lasted ever since.
Thursday, November 2, 2000Law & justiceBush v. Gore: How the 2000 Election Recount Ended on December 12
On December 12, 2000, the Supreme Court's Bush v. Gore decision halted Florida's recount, leaving George W. Bush ahead by 537 votes and giving him the presidency.
Tuesday, December 12, 20001999
The year the Dow passed 10,000, Columbine shook the nation and US women won the World Cup
1999 timelineColumbine High School Shooting, April 20, 1999: What Happened
On April 20, 1999, two students attacked Columbine High School in Jefferson County, Colorado, killing 12 students and a teacher. The attack reshaped school safety and police tactics.
Tuesday, April 20, 1999DisasterMay 3, 1999 Oklahoma Tornado Outbreak and the Bridge Creek-Moore F5
On May 3, 1999, Oklahoma's largest recorded tornado outbreak produced 72 tornadoes. An F5 tornado through Bridge Creek, Moore and Oklahoma City killed 36 people.
Monday, May 3, 1999EntertainmentStar Wars: The Phantom Menace Opens, May 19, 1999
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace opened on May 19, 1999, the first new Star Wars film in 16 years. It earned $924 million worldwide in its first run.
Wednesday, May 19, 1999Sports1999 Women's World Cup Final: USA Beats China at the Rose Bowl
On July 10, 1999, the US women's soccer team beat China 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw at the Rose Bowl. Brandi Chastain scored the winning kick before 90,185 fans.
Saturday, July 10, 1999SpaceMars Climate Orbiter Lost, September 23, 1999: The Metric Mix-Up
NASA lost the Mars Climate Orbiter on September 23, 1999, when it flew too close to Mars. Investigators traced the error to thruster data sent in English units instead of metric.
Thursday, September 23, 19991998
The year of the Google garage, a historic home-run race and a presidential impeachment
1998 timelineSeinfeld Finale, May 14, 1998: How the Show About Nothing Signed Off
NBC aired the final episode of Seinfeld on May 14, 1998. About 76 million viewers watched Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer end up on trial in a small Massachusetts town.
Thursday, May 14, 1998TechnologyGoogle Founded in 1998: Stanford Search to Company
Google was incorporated in September 1998 after Larry Page and Sergey Brin turned a Stanford search project into a company backed by an early $100,000 investment.
Friday, September 4, 1998SportsMcGwire's 62nd Home Run and the 1998 Home Run Race With Sammy Sosa
On September 8, 1998, Mark McGwire hit his 62nd home run to break Roger Maris's 37-year-old record. He finished with 70, while Sammy Sosa of the Cubs hit 66.
Tuesday, September 8, 1998SpaceJohn Glenn Returns to Space at 77: STS-95 Launch, October 29, 1998
On October 29, 1998, Senator John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, launched aboard space shuttle Discovery at age 77 and became the oldest person to fly in space.
Thursday, October 29, 1998PoliticsClinton Impeachment, December 19, 1998: How the House Vote Happened
On December 19, 1998, the House impeached President Bill Clinton on charges of grand jury perjury and obstruction of justice. The Senate acquitted him on February 12, 1999.
Saturday, December 19, 1998Deep Blue Defeats Kasparov, May 11, 1997: Match and Meaning
IBM's Deep Blue defeated Garry Kasparov 3½–2½ on May 11, 1997, becoming the first computer to beat a reigning world chess champion in a standard match.
Sunday, May 11, 1997SpaceMars Pathfinder Lands July 4, 1997: Sojourner's Mission
Mars Pathfinder landed in Ares Vallis on July 4, 1997, and deployed Sojourner, the first rover to operate on Mars, using a new airbag landing system.
Friday, July 4, 1997WorldPrincess Diana Dies August 31, 1997: Crash, Funeral and Legacy
Diana, Princess of Wales, died on August 31, 1997, after a car crash in Paris, prompting public mourning and a funeral watched around the world.
Sunday, August 31, 1997TechnologyGoogle.com Registered September 15, 1997: The BackRub Story
Larry Page registered google.com on September 15, 1997, after he and Sergey Brin renamed their Stanford link-analysis search project from BackRub.
Monday, September 15, 1997EntertainmentTitanic Opens December 19, 1997: Production, Success and Oscars
James Cameron's Titanic opened in US theaters on December 19, 1997, then became the first film to earn more than $1 billion worldwide and won eleven Oscars.
Friday, December 19, 19971996
A reelection year shaped by Atlanta's Olympics, new media rules and a growing digital culture
1996 timelineTelecommunications Act of 1996: What Changed on February 8
President Bill Clinton signed the Telecommunications Act on February 8, 1996, rewriting competition rules for telephone, broadcasting, cable and online services.
Thursday, February 8, 1996Law & justiceUnabomber Arrest on April 3, 1996: How the FBI Found the Cabin
Federal agents arrested Theodore Kaczynski at his Montana cabin on April 3, 1996, ending a seventeen-year bombing investigation after his family recognized his writing.
Wednesday, April 3, 1996DisasterTWA Flight 800 Crash, July 17, 1996: Findings and Safety Changes
TWA Flight 800 broke apart off Long Island on July 17, 1996, killing all 230 aboard; the NTSB traced the accident to a center-wing fuel-tank explosion.
Wednesday, July 17, 1996SportsAtlanta Olympics Open July 19, 1996: Games, Medals and Legacy
The Centennial Olympic Games opened in Atlanta on July 19, 1996, bringing more than 10,000 athletes from 197 nations to the largest Summer Games held to that date.
Friday, July 19, 1996Politics1996 Presidential Election: Clinton Wins a Second Term
Bill Clinton defeated Bob Dole and Ross Perot on November 5, 1996, winning 379 electoral votes while Republicans kept control of the House and Senate.
Tuesday, November 5, 19961995
The year of the Oklahoma City bombing, the O.J. Simpson verdict, Windows 95 and Cal Ripken's 2,131
1995 timelineOklahoma City Bombing, April 19, 1995: What Happened
At 9:02 a.m. on April 19, 1995, a truck bomb destroyed a third of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people, including 19 children.
Wednesday, April 19, 1995TechnologyWindows 95 Launch, August 24, 1995: The Start Button Arrives
Microsoft released Windows 95 to retail buyers on August 24, 1995, introducing the Start button and taskbar with a launch campaign built around the Rolling Stones' Start Me Up.
Thursday, August 24, 1995SportsCal Ripken Jr. Breaks Gehrig's Record: September 6, 1995
On September 6, 1995, Baltimore shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. played his 2,131st consecutive game, breaking Lou Gehrig's record that had stood for 56 years.
Wednesday, September 6, 1995Law & justiceO.J. Simpson Verdict, October 3, 1995: How the Trial Ended
On October 3, 1995, a Los Angeles jury found O.J. Simpson not guilty of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman after about four hours of deliberation.
Tuesday, October 3, 1995EntertainmentToy Story Release, November 22, 1995: Pixar's First Feature
Toy Story opened in US theaters on November 22, 1995, as the first feature film made entirely with computer animation and the first feature from Pixar.
Wednesday, November 22, 1995Why organize history by calendar year?
A list of events shows their order, but a calendar shows their rhythm. It reveals whether two events happened days or months apart, which holidays and seasons surrounded them and which weekday a newspaper of the time would have printed. Every article links back to the full calendar for its year, so you can move between a single story and the year around it.
How stories are chosen
Each year's timeline favors events with lasting public interest, a clear date and reliable sources. Timelines mix politics with science, technology, sports, culture and business, so no year is reduced to its tragedies alone. Articles list the sources they were researched from, and our editorial policy explains how corrections are handled.