Top 100 Big History Events

"The universe unfolds through time, weaving together the story of matter, life, and humanity."

Big History is an interdisciplinary study that bridges cosmology, biology, geology, and human history to provide a broad view of our shared past. From the birth of the universe to the emergence of human civilizations, each key moment has shaped the complexity of the world we inhabit today. Below is a ranked list of the top 100 milestones in Big History.

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# Top 100 Big History Events
- Key Milestones in the Story of the Universe and Life
- "The universe unfolds through time, weaving together the story of matter, life, and humanity."
- A timeline of critical events that shaped the cosmos, Earth, and humanity.
- Topics: Universe, Earth, Life, Humanity, Civilization

## Topics
- Topic 1: Universe: cosmology, galaxies, elements, stars, planets...
- Topic 2: Earth: geology, plate tectonics, atmosphere, environment...
- Topic 3: Life: evolution, organisms, biodiversity, mass extinctions...
- Topic 4: Humanity: hominids, cognition, agriculture, cities, civilizations...
- Topic 5: Civilization: writing, empires, trade, technology, modernity...

Topic 1: "The Universe"

"From the Big Bang to the creation of stars and galaxies."

The universe began with a massive explosion, creating time, space, and matter. Over billions of years, stars, galaxies, and planets formed, setting the stage for everything that followed.

1. Big Bang: The birth of the universe.
2. Formation of first atoms: Hydrogen and helium emerge.
3. First stars form: The light that shaped the universe.
4. Formation of galaxies: Cosmic structures are born.
5. Supernova explosions: Forging heavier elements.
6. Formation of solar systems: Planets begin to coalesce.
7. Birth of the Milky Way: Our galaxy emerges.
8. Birth of our sun: A star forms in the Milky Way.
9. Formation of Earth: The third planet from the Sun is created.
10. The Late Heavy Bombardment: Earth is pummeled by asteroids.

Topic 2: "Earth"

"The unique planet that supports life and changes through geological time."

Earth is a dynamic planet that has undergone massive changes since its formation. From the formation of its atmosphere to the shifting of tectonic plates, these events created a habitable environment for life.

1. Formation of the moon: A giant impact shapes Earth's satellite.
2. Earth's atmosphere forms: The essential layer for life develops.
3. Plate tectonics: Continents shift and oceans form.
4. Oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere: The Great Oxygenation Event.
5. First continents form: Landmasses emerge from oceans.
6. First oceans: Water dominates the planet's surface.
7. Snowball Earth: Global ice ages change the planet.
8. Continental drift: Continents move and change the face of Earth.
9. Volcanic eruptions: Massive eruptions change Earth's climate.
10. Earth’s magnetic field stabilizes: Protecting life from solar radiation.

Topic 3: "Life"

"Life emerges and evolves, leading to the incredible diversity seen today."

From single-celled organisms to the vast biodiversity of modern times, life on Earth has evolved through natural selection. Key events shaped the rise of complex organisms, leading to the eventual emergence of human beings.

1. Emergence of life: First simple organisms appear in the oceans.
2. Photosynthesis evolves: Life begins to harness the sun’s energy.
3. First multicellular life: Organisms increase in complexity.
4. Cambrian Explosion: A rapid diversification of life forms.
5. First plants on land: Life begins to colonize terrestrial environments.
6. First animals on land: Life moves out of the water.
7. The first insects evolve: A new form of animal life on land.
8. Dinosaurs dominate: Massive reptiles rule the planet.
9. First mammals: Small creatures appear alongside dinosaurs.
10. Mass extinction (Cretaceous-Paleogene): Dinosaurs go extinct.

Topic 4: "Humanity"

"The rise of humans from early hominids to modern civilizations."

Humans are part of the evolutionary history of life on Earth. From the first bipedal hominids to the development of cognition and culture, humanity's journey is one of adaptation and creativity.

1. Hominids evolve: Early ancestors of humans walk upright.
2. Use of tools: Hominids begin using simple tools.
3. Control of fire: Early humans harness fire.
4. Development of language: Communication evolves among early humans.
5. Homo sapiens emerge: Modern humans appear in Africa.
6. Migration out of Africa: Humans spread across the globe.
7. Agricultural revolution: Humans begin farming and settle.
8. Domestication of animals: Humans and animals form symbiotic relationships.
9. Rise of cities: Permanent settlements turn into urban centers.
10. Writing systems emerge: Recorded history begins.

Topic 5: "Civilization"

"From the first empires to the modern world, civilizations rise and fall."

Human civilizations have transformed the world through technological advancements, social organization, and cultural achievements. From the rise of the first cities to the dawn of the modern age, civilizations have shaped the human experience.

1. First cities in Mesopotamia: The dawn of urban civilization.
2. Development of trade networks: Societies begin to exchange goods.
3. Bronze Age: Metallurgy advances in ancient societies.
4. Rise of the Egyptian Empire: Monumental architecture and culture.
5. The Code of Hammurabi: Early legal systems develop.
6. Classical Greece: The birth of democracy and philosophy.
7. Roman Empire: The rise of one of history's largest empires.
8. Spread of major world religions: Belief systems influence millions.
9. Invention of the printing press: Information becomes widely accessible.
10. Industrial Revolution: Technology transforms societies globally.

Top 100 List

1. Big Bang (topic 1)
2. Formation of first atoms (topic 1)
3. First stars form (topic 1)
4. Formation of galaxies (topic 1)
5. Supernova explosions (topic 1)
6. Formation of solar systems (topic 1)
7. Birth of the Milky Way (topic 1)
8. Birth of our sun (topic 1)
9. Formation of Earth (topic 1)
10. Late Heavy Bombardment (topic 1)
11. Formation of the moon (topic 2)
12. Earth's atmosphere forms (topic 2)
13. Plate tectonics (topic 2)
14. Oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere (topic 2)
15. First continents form (topic 2)
16. First oceans (topic 2)
17. Snowball Earth (topic 2)
18. Continental drift (topic 2)
19. Volcanic eruptions (topic 2)
20. Earth’s magnetic field stabilizes (topic 2)
21. Emergence of life (topic 3)
22. Photosynthesis evolves (topic 3)
23. First multicellular life (topic 3)
24. Cambrian Explosion (topic 3)
25. First plants on land (topic 3)
26. First animals on land (topic 3)
27. The first insects evolve (topic 3)
28. Dinosaurs dominate (topic 3)
29. First mammals (topic 3)
30. Mass extinction (topic 3)
31. Hominids evolve (topic 4)
32. Use of tools (topic 4)
33. Control of fire (topic 4)
34. Development of language (topic 4)
35. Homo sapiens emerge (topic 4)
36. Migration out of Africa (topic 4)
37. Agricultural revolution (topic 4)
38. Domestication of animals (topic 4)
39. Rise of cities (topic 4)
40. Writing systems emerge (topic 4)
41. First cities in Mesopotamia (topic 5)
42. Development of trade networks (topic 5)
43. Bronze Age (topic 5)
44. Rise of the Egyptian Empire (topic 5)
45. The Code of Hammurabi (topic 5)
46. Classical Greece (topic 5)
47. Roman Empire (topic 5)
48. Spread of major world religions (topic 5)
49. Invention of the printing press (topic 5)
50. Industrial Revolution (topic 5)
51. Formation of the solar system (topic 1)
52. Creation of oceans (topic 2)
53. Dinosaurs extinction (topic 3)
54. Evolution of mammals (topic 3)
55. Emergence of culture (topic 4)
56. Development of religion (topic 4)
57. Neolithic Revolution (topic 4)
58. Discovery of metals (topic 5)
59. Creation of writing (topic 4)
60. Construction of pyramids (topic 5)
61. The Silk Road (topic 5)
62. Rise of Christianity (topic 5)
63. Spread of Islam (topic 5)
64. Fall of the Roman Empire (topic 5)
65. Renaissance (topic 5)
66. Discovery of America (topic 5)
67. Reformation (topic 5)
68. The Enlightenment (topic 5)
69. French Revolution (topic 5)
70. Napoleonic Wars (topic 5)
71. Abolition of slavery (topic 5)
72. American Revolution (topic 5)
73. Industrialization of Europe (topic 5)
74. World War I (topic 5)
75. Russian Revolution (topic 5)
76. World War II (topic 5)
77. The Holocaust (topic 5)
78. United Nations is founded (topic 5)
79. Cold War (topic 5)
80. Space Race (topic 5)
81. Decolonization (topic 5)
82. Fall of the Berlin Wall (topic 5)
83. Rise of the Internet (topic 5)
84. 9/11 Attacks (topic 5)
85. Global Financial Crisis (topic 5)
86. Climate change awareness (topic 5)
87. Arab Spring (topic 5)
88. COVID-19 Pandemic (topic 5)
89. Invention of the smartphone (topic 5)
90. Rise of China (topic 5)
91. Artificial intelligence (topic 5)
92. Blockchain and cryptocurrency (topic 5)
93. Exploration of Mars (topic 5)
94. Quantum computing (topic 5)
95. Global fight against poverty (topic 5)
96. Renewable energy revolution (topic 5)
97. Development of vaccines (topic 5)
98. Human genome project (topic 5)
99. Women’s suffrage (topic 5)
100. Development of democracy (topic 5)

Top 100 Table

Rank	Name	Topic	Tagline
1	Big Bang	Topic 1	"The birth of the universe."
2	Formation of first atoms	Topic 1	"Hydrogen and helium emerge."
3	First stars form	Topic 1	"The light that shaped the universe."
4	Formation of galaxies	Topic 1	"Cosmic structures are born."
5	Supernova explosions	Topic 1	"Forging heavier elements."
6	Formation of solar systems	Topic 1	"Planets begin to coalesce."
7	Birth of the Milky Way	Topic 1	"Our galaxy emerges."
8	Birth of our sun	Topic 1	"A star forms in the Milky Way."
9	Formation of Earth	Topic 1	"The third planet from the Sun is created."
10	Late Heavy Bombardment	Topic 1	"Earth is pummeled by asteroids."
11	Formation of the moon	Topic 2	"A giant impact shapes Earth's satellite."
12	Earth's atmosphere forms	Topic 2	"The essential layer for life develops."
13	Plate tectonics	Topic 2	"Continents shift and oceans form."
14	Oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere	Topic 2	"The Great Oxygenation Event."
15	First continents form	Topic 2	"Landmasses emerge from oceans."
16	First oceans	Topic 2	"Water dominates the planet's surface."
17	Snowball Earth	Topic 2	"Global ice ages change the planet."
18	Continental drift	Topic 2	"Continents move and change the face of Earth."
19	Volcanic eruptions	Topic 2	"Massive eruptions change Earth's climate."
20	Earth’s magnetic field stabilizes	Topic 2	"Protecting life from solar radiation."
21	Emergence of life	Topic 3	"First simple organisms appear in the oceans."
22	Photosynthesis evolves	Topic 3	"Life begins to harness the sun’s energy."
23	First multicellular life	Topic 3	"Organisms increase in complexity."
24	Cambrian Explosion	Topic 3	"A rapid diversification of life forms."
25	First plants on land	Topic 3	"Life begins to colonize terrestrial environments."
26	First animals on land	Topic 3	"Life moves out of the water."
27	The first insects evolve	Topic 3	"A new form of animal life on land."
28	Dinosaurs dominate	Topic 3	"Massive reptiles rule the planet."
29	First mammals	Topic 3	"Small creatures appear alongside dinosaurs."
30	Mass extinction (Cretaceous-Paleogene)	Topic 3	"Dinosaurs go extinct."
31	Hominids evolve	Topic 4	"Early ancestors of humans walk upright."
32	Use of tools	Topic 4	"Hominids begin using simple tools."
33	Control of fire	Topic 4	"Early humans harness fire."
34	Development of language	Topic 4	"Communication evolves among early humans."
35	Homo sapiens emerge	Topic 4	"Modern humans appear in Africa."
36	Migration out of Africa	Topic 4	"Humans spread across the globe."
37	Agricultural revolution	Topic 4	"Humans begin farming and settle."
38	Domestication of animals	Topic 4	"Humans and animals form symbiotic relationships."
39	Rise of cities	Topic 4	"Permanent settlements turn into urban centers."
40	Writing systems emerge	Topic 4	"Recorded history begins."
41	First cities in Mesopotamia	Topic 5	"The dawn of urban civilization."
42	Development of trade networks	Topic 5	"Societies begin to exchange goods."
43	Bronze Age	Topic 5	"Metallurgy advances in ancient societies."
44	Rise of the Egyptian Empire	Topic 5	"Monumental architecture and culture."
45	The Code of Hammurabi	Topic 5	"Early legal systems develop."
46	Classical Greece	Topic 5	"The birth of democracy and philosophy."
47	Roman Empire	Topic 5	"The rise of one of history's largest empires."
48	Spread of major world religions	Topic 5	"Belief systems influence millions."
49	Invention of the printing press	Topic 5	"Information becomes widely accessible."
50	Industrial Revolution	Topic 5	"Technology transforms societies globally."
51	Formation of the solar system	Topic 1	"Planets form from the dust and gas around the sun."
52	Creation of oceans	Topic 2	"Water pools on the surface of Earth."
53	Dinosaurs extinction	Topic 3	"Dinosaurs wiped out, creating a niche for mammals."
54	Evolution of mammals	Topic 3	"Mammals diversify and spread after dinosaurs' extinction."
55	Emergence of culture	Topic 4	"Early humans form complex social groups."
56	Development of religion	Topic 4	"Spiritual beliefs begin to shape cultures."
57	Neolithic Revolution	Topic 4	"Farming communities spread and grow."
58	Discovery of metals	Topic 5	"Bronze and iron revolutionize human societies."
59	Creation of writing	Topic 4	"Humans develop systems to record information."
60	Construction of pyramids	Topic 5	"Monumental architecture shows the rise of ancient kingdoms."
61	The Silk Road	Topic 5	"Trade routes connect East and West."
62	Rise of Christianity	Topic 5	"A religion that reshapes the Western world."
63	Spread of Islam	Topic 5	"A new religious and political force spreads."
64	Fall of the Roman Empire	Topic 5	"One of history’s greatest empires collapses."
65	Renaissance	Topic 5	"Rebirth of classical ideas, arts, and sciences."
66	Discovery of America	Topic 5	"Columbus reaches the New World."
67	Reformation	Topic 5	"Religious upheaval transforms Europe."
68	The Enlightenment	Topic 5	"Philosophers advocate for reason and science."
69	French Revolution	Topic 5	"Revolution topples monarchy and promotes republican ideals."
70	Napoleonic Wars	Topic 5	"Napoleon reshapes Europe through conquest."
71	Abolition of slavery	Topic 5	"Global movement to end human enslavement."
72	American Revolution	Topic 5	"Colonies break free from British rule."
73	Industrialization of Europe	Topic 5	"The spread of industry transforms economies."
74	World War I	Topic 5	"Global conflict reshapes borders and governments."
75	Russian Revolution	Topic 5	"A communist regime replaces the czars."
76	World War II	Topic 5	"The deadliest conflict in human history."
77	The Holocaust	Topic 5	"Genocide during World War II."
78	United Nations is founded	Topic 5	"A new global organization for peace and security."
79	Cold War	Topic 5	"Tension between the US and Soviet Union."
80	Space Race	Topic 5	"Humans reach the moon."
81	Decolonization	Topic 5	"Former colonies gain independence."
82	Fall of the Berlin Wall	Topic 5	"End of the Cold War and reunification of Germany."
83	Rise of the Internet	Topic 5	"The digital revolution reshapes communication."
84	9/11 Attacks	Topic 5	"Terrorist attacks that reshape global politics."
85	Global Financial Crisis	Topic 5	"Economic collapse and its global impact."
86	Climate change awareness	Topic 5	"Growing recognition of human impact on the environment."
87	Arab Spring	Topic 5	"Popular uprisings in the Middle East."
88	COVID-19 Pandemic	Topic 5	"Global pandemic reshapes societies."
89	Invention of the smartphone	Topic 5	"Devices that revolutionize communication."
90	Rise of China	Topic 5	"China becomes a global superpower."
91	Artificial intelligence	Topic 5	"Technological advancement in machine learning."
92	Blockchain and cryptocurrency	Topic 5	"New forms of digital currency emerge."
93	Exploration of Mars	Topic 5	"Humanity explores the Red Planet."
94	Quantum computing	Topic 5	"A leap in computing power."
95	Global fight against poverty	Topic 5	"Efforts to reduce global inequality."
96	Renewable energy revolution	Topic 5	"The shift towards sustainable energy."
97	Development of vaccines	Topic 5	"Science advances to combat diseases."
98	Human genome project	Topic 5	"Unlocking the blueprint of human biology."
99	Women’s suffrage	Topic 5	"The fight for women's right to vote."
100	Development of democracy	Topic 5	"The foundation of modern governance."

Conclusion

Big History provides a comprehensive framework to understand the universe and humanity’s place within it. Each of these events, from the formation of galaxies to the rise of civilizations, offers insight into the interconnectedness of all things across time.