2560 BCE
The tomb of Pharaoh Khufu is finished, the tallest human-made structure for nearly 4,000 years.
509 BCE
Rome overthrows its last king and establishes a republic governed by elected magistrates.
March 15 44 BCE
Caesar is killed by senators on the Ides of March, setting off civil war.
476
Odoacer deposes Romulus Augustulus, traditionally marking the end of the Western Empire.
June 15 1215
King John of England agrees to limits on royal power at Runnymede.
1455
Movable-type printing arrives in Europe and transforms the spread of knowledge.
July 4 1776
The thirteen American colonies declare independence from Great Britain.
July 20 1969
Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first humans to walk on the Moon.
August 6 1991
Tim Berners-Lee publishes the first website, opening the web to the world.