Top 10 Events that Most Changed History

All moments in history have the potential to create change. However, some key moments have had a profound and undeniable impact.

This list will cover the biggest events in history that significantly altered its course.

Feel free to suggest any events you believe deserve a place on this list.

1. The Treaty of Versailles

   

   After WWI, the Allies aimed to end all wars and created the Treaty of Versailles. This treaty imposed harsh penalties on Germany and its allies. Their military was reduced, their economy ruined, and they were forced to pay the Allies enormous amounts of money (they only recently paid off their debt). While some may argue they deserved that punishment, the harsh terms at Versailles led to WWII, as a WWI veteran named Adolf Hitler took control of Germany. The rest is history.

   Surprisingly, there are still people who think this treaty was justified. It should remain an embarrassing failure of the Allies.

2. Columbus Discovers the New World

   

   In the 1400s, the Americas were inhabited by less developed societies. In 1492, Italian explorer Christopher Columbus received a commission from Spain to find a trading route to India. Columbus failed in this goal and mistakenly thought the new continent he found was India. This is why we mistakenly named Native Americans Indians. Nonetheless, this discovery sparked multiple wars and led to the deaths of millions. It also opened the land to many discoveries and became known as a land of freedom. The discovery of the New World changed everything.

   He did murder a bunch of people.

3. America Declares Independence

   

   In 1776, during the war of independence against the British, the American Colonies declared independence. This declaration could not have been more important. First, it was a turning point in the war. It also established the United States of America as an official nation and inspired other nations to revolt, most notably France in the late 1700s.

   This could not have been accomplished without philosophers from the Enlightenment era (especially John Locke) and other revolutions ignited in Europe. Their ideas were crucial to America's revolution and the creation of their government.

4. The 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

   

   On September 11th, 2001, four planes were used in an act of terror against the United States. Two crashed into the Twin Towers, one hit the Pentagon, and one crashed in a field. Thousands died. The 9/11 attack was significant from multiple standpoints. First, we lost a beautiful building, and many people died. 9/11 also caused major changes in security measures. Socially, it instilled fear of Islamic people. The impact has not been fully repaired yet.

   It's what ignited global operations on world terrorism in the first place.

5. The Construction of the Egyptian Pyramids

   

   The construction of the Great Pyramids was much more important than people think. For one, it was one of the first major architectural achievements in history. It also leaves us wondering just how advanced this Egyptian civilization was. And don't you dare put a comment about aliens. Yeah, I'm talking to you.

   The first of the original Seven Wonders and the only one that survives to this day.

6. The Invention of the Assembly Line

   

   The assembly line was a major innovation. It helped in the development of cars. Without the assembly line, cars would only have been available to the rich because workers would not have been able to produce enough. It also created many jobs. Economics 101.

7. The Fall of the Berlin Wall

   

   The Soviets and the United States were in a power struggle commonly referred to as the Cold War, one of the longest wars in modern history. It came to an end when U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Prime Minister Mikhail Gorbachev worked together to tear down the Berlin Wall. The Wall symbolized the dominance of the Soviet Union over satellite states and its division from the rest of the world.

   Ronald Reagan: Tear down this wall!

8. The First Successful Airplane Flight

   

   I think the first successful flight was more important than the actual plane being made. This first flight led to us being able to take to the skies.

   No offense to the people who died in 9/11, but this changed the world a lot more than 9/11. Just imagine a world without planes.

9. The Holocaust

   

10. The Black Death

    

    Just look at how people are reacting to the Coronavirus pandemic. This pandemic is nothing compared to the Black Death. The Black Death most definitely changed the course of history. Imagine 75 to 200 million people dying from a disease. However, some positive changes emerged. The world improved its health habits and became more cautious regarding pandemics. Still, the amount of life lost was insane.

    Hope you enjoyed the list. If you liked it, please comment or share it. Thank you for sticking to the end.

    Yeah, this should be higher than the Coronavirus. It was insane how big this pandemic was, but we have much better medicine now, and it's thanks to that that far fewer people died during COVID-19 than during the Bubonic Plague.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    The Death of Queen Elizabeth II

    

    This was a total game-changer for history.

    She will be remembered as Britain's most famous person and the figure who shaped Great Britain into what it became. R.I.P.

12. ?

    The Death of John Lennon

    

    He was such a hero, always advocating for peace and entertaining the world. It's such a shame that Mark David Chapman killed him. Mark was a crazy man.

    John Lennon will never, ever be matched by anybody to this day. R.I.P.

The Contenders

13. World War II

    

14. The COVID-19 Pandemic

    

    Short-term: Totally! More than 9/11.

    Long-term: Yes! Really as much effect as 9/11.

15. Julius Caesar's Crossing of the Rubicon

    

    During the Roman Civil War, Julius Caesar asserted his dominance by crossing the Rubicon, a river that separated Rome from its territories across the Republic. You may say "no big deal," but in reality, it was a significant event. No general was allowed to cross the Rubicon with his army. Caesar did just that. This led to the end of the Civil War and the beginning of Julius Caesar's reign as dictator. It also led to his famous assassination and the start of the emperors, effectively ending the Roman Republic and starting the Roman Empire.

16. Hitler's Appointment as Reich Chancellor

    

17. The 1933 Reichstag Fire

    

18. World War I

    

19. The Edict of Milan

    

    The Edict of Milan changed the religious world forever. It legalized Christianity in Rome and led to it becoming the largest religion for centuries. Before this, Christians were persecuted and mocked. You cannot overstate the importance of this event.

20. The Storming of the Bastille

    

    The Storming of the Bastille was essential to the start of the French Revolution. It was the match that lit the fire. It also inspired multiple other civilian uprisings. An iconic event in history.

21. The Third Defenestration of Prague

    

22. The 1815 Eruption of Mount Tambora

    

    The most powerful and deadliest eruption in modern times. It led to a year without summer and caused famines around the world. Life was much harder that year and the following year.

23. The Invention of the Wheel

    

24. The Battle of Salamis

    

25. The Battle of Zenta

    

26. The Siege of Jerusalem (70 CE)

    

27. King Ashoka's Conversion to Buddhism