Historical Events

World War I (1914–1918) was a global conflict that began in Europe after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and quickly expanded through alliances among major powers. It caused massive human and economic losses and culminated in the Treaty of Versailles, which reshaped Europe and contributed to subsequent political instability.

The September 11 attacks (2001) killed 2,977 people and opened a twenty year global war on terror. The United States and its allies overthrew the Taliban in Afghanistan, invaded Iraq in 2003, and fought insurgencies and terrorist networks worldwide, transforming international law, domestic security, and the limits of American power before withdrawing from Kabul in 2021.

World War II (1939-1945) was a global conflict that began with Germany's invasion of Poland and expanded into a war between the Axis powers and the Allied powers across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. It caused unprecedented human and economic losses and ended with the defeat of Germany and Japan, reshaping world politics and setting the stage for the Cold War.

The Cold War (1947-1991) was a global confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union, fought through alliances, nuclear competition, crises, and proxy wars rather than direct battle. It ended with the collapse of communist rule in Eastern Europe and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, leaving the United States as the world's only superpower.