World History Timeline

Timeline

36 events

8th century BCE

5th century BCE

  1. c. 475 BCE – 221 BCE★★★★★

    Warring States period

    Seven major states vie for supremacy for over two centuries, an era that also sees the flourishing of the Hundred Schools of Thought.

    WarPolitics· China

3rd century BCE

  1. 221 BCE★★★★★

    Qin unifies China

    The state of Qin conquers its rivals, ending the Warring States period; Ying Zheng proclaims himself the First Emperor.

    DynastyPoliticsWar· China
  2. 210 BCE★★★★★

    Death of Qin Shi Huang

    The first emperor of unified China dies while on tour; the Qin dynasty collapses within a few years.

    DeathPolitics· China
  3. 202 BCE★★★★★

    Liu Bang founds the Han dynasty

    After defeating Xiang Yu, Liu Bang becomes Emperor Gaozu of Han, opening a dynasty that lasts over four centuries.

    DynastyPolitics· China

2nd century BCE

  1. c. 179 BCE★★★★★

    Nanyue conquers Âu Lạc

    Zhao Tuo, king of Nanyue, conquers Âu Lạc and incorporates it into Nanyue; traditionally dated to 179 BCE.

    WarPolitics· Vietnam, China

1st century

7th century

  1. 618★★★★★

    Li Yuan founds the Tang dynasty

    Li Yuan (Emperor Gaozu) takes the throne at Chang'an, opening one of the most prosperous dynasties in Chinese history.

    DynastyPolitics· China
  2. 626★★★★★

    Xuanwu Gate incident

    Li Shimin kills two rival brothers and soon takes the throne as Emperor Taizong, whose reign is remembered as a golden age.

    Politics· China
  3. 690 – 705★★★★★

    Wu Zetian proclaims herself emperor

    Wu Zetian founds her own Zhou dynasty, becoming the only officially recognised female emperor in Chinese history.

    Politics· China

10th century

  1. 907 – 979★★★★★

    Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

    The Tang falls in 907 and China fragments into short-lived northern dynasties and numerous southern kingdoms.

    DynastyPolitics· China
  2. 960★★★★★

    Zhao Kuangyin founds the Song dynasty

    After the Chenqiao mutiny, Zhao Kuangyin becomes Emperor Taizu; the Song era sees remarkable economic and technological growth.

    DynastyPolitics· China

13th century

  1. 1227★★★★★

    Death of Genghis Khan

    The founder of the Mongol Empire dies during the campaign against Western Xia; his heirs continue its expansion.

    DeathPolitics· Mongolia, China
  2. 1271★★★★★

    Kublai Khan proclaims the Yuan dynasty

    Kublai Khan adopts the dynastic name Great Yuan with its capital at Dadu (Beijing), establishing Mongol rule over China.

    DynastyPolitics· China, Mongolia

14th century

  1. 1368★★★★★

    Zhu Yuanzhang founds the Ming dynasty

    Rebel leader Zhu Yuanzhang becomes the Hongwu Emperor and drives the Mongols from Dadu, ending the Yuan dynasty.

    DynastyPolitics· China

15th century

  1. 1420★★★★★

    Forbidden City completed

    The Yongle Emperor completes the Forbidden City palace complex and moves the capital from Nanjing to Beijing.

    ArtPolitics· China

17th century

  1. 1683★★★★★

    Qing annexes Taiwan

    After the Battle of Penghu, the Kingdom of Tungning surrenders and Taiwan is incorporated into the Qing empire.

    WarPolitics· Taiwan, China

18th century

  1. 1793★★★★★

    Macartney Embassy to China

    A British embassy led by Lord Macartney meets the Qianlong Emperor but fails to secure expanded trade.

    PoliticsEconomy· China, United Kingdom

19th century

  1. 1898★★★★★

    Hundred Days' Reform

    The Guangxu Emperor and Kang Youwei launch sweeping reforms, which Empress Dowager Cixi halts after about 100 days.

    Politics· China

20th century

  1. January 1, 1912★★★★★

    Republic of China founded

    Sun Yat-sen is inaugurated as provisional president in Nanjing, founding Asia's first republic.

    PoliticsRevolution· China, Taiwan
  2. February 12, 1912★★★★★

    Abdication of Puyi

    The last Qing emperor abdicates, ending more than two thousand years of imperial rule in China.

    PoliticsDynasty· China
  3. May 4, 1919★★★★★

    May Fourth Movement

    Beijing students protest the Paris Peace Conference's Shandong decision, sparking a wave of nationalism and cultural renewal.

    PoliticsCulture· China
  4. July 1921★★★★★

    Chinese Communist Party founded

    The First National Congress meets in Shanghai, formally founding the Chinese Communist Party.

    Politics· China
  5. 1934 – 1935★★★★★

    Long March

    The Chinese Red Army retreats thousands of kilometres from Nationalist forces; Mao Zedong emerges as leader during the march.

    WarPolitics· China
  7. December 1949★★★★★

    ROC government retreats to Taiwan

    Defeated in the Chinese Civil War, Chiang Kai-shek's government withdraws to Taiwan and makes Taipei its provisional capital.

    WarPolitics· Taiwan, China
  8. 1958 – 1962★★★★★

    Great Leap Forward

    A campaign of rapid industrialisation and collectivisation leads to a great famine that kills tens of millions.

    EconomyPoliticsDisaster· China
  9. 1966 – 1976★★★★★

    Cultural Revolution

    Mao Zedong launches a decade-long political movement that brings social upheaval, persecution and the destruction of cultural heritage.

    PoliticsRevolutionCulture· China
  10. February 21, 1972 – February 28, 1972★★★★★

    Nixon visits China

    U.S. President Richard Nixon's visit opens the way to normalised relations between the United States and China.

    Politics· China, United States
  11. September 9, 1976★★★★★

    Death of Mao Zedong

    Chairman Mao Zedong, founder of the People's Republic of China, dies in Beijing; the Cultural Revolution ends soon after.

    DeathPolitics· China
  12. December 1978★★★★★

    China launches Reform and Opening

    The Third Plenum of the 11th Central Committee, guided by Deng Xiaoping, shifts China's focus to economic development and opening up.

    EconomyPolitics· China
  13. April 15, 1989 – June 4, 1989★★★★★

    Tiananmen Square protests and crackdown

    Weeks of student-led protests in Beijing end when troops suppress them on the night of 3–4 June.

    Politics· China
  15. July 1, 1997★★★★★

    Handover of Hong Kong

    Britain transfers sovereignty over Hong Kong to China under the 'one country, two systems' principle.

    PoliticsTreaty· Hong Kong, China, United Kingdom
  16. December 20, 1999★★★★★

    Handover of Macau

    Portugal transfers sovereignty over Macau to China, ending more than four centuries of Portuguese presence.

    Politics· Macau, China, Portugal
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