Timeline Contents

Twitter
takes flight 

Twitter launched in 2006 as a 140-character microblog. It grew into a global platform for news, hashtags, and movements shaping public discourse in real time.

The power of iPS cells  

Shinya Yamanaka turned adult cells into stem cells using four genes paving the way for iPS cells and a new era in regenerative medicine.

Markets meltdown  

The 2008 crisis started with bad US home loans. Banks failed, credit froze, panic spread. AIG was bailed out, and governments stepped in to stop a global recession.

Barack Obama Takes Office  

Barack Obama was elected as the first Black U.S. President, promising hope and change during a time of crisis. A historic moment.

The Arab Spring   

The Arab Spring was when people in some Middle Eastern and North African countries protested against unfair governments. These protests helped remove leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen.

Disaster at Fukushima 

A big wave hit a nuclear plant in Japan after an earthquake. The plant broke, causing dangerous radiation to spread. It was one of the worst nuclear accidents ever.

Higgs Boson Discovered   

Scientists found a new particle called the Higgs boson. It helps explain why things have mass. This discovery confirmed a big part of how we understand particles and the universe.

The rise of Black Lives Matter  

Black Lives Matter began to speak out against unfair treatment of Black people. It grew into a worldwide movement for justice and equality.

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

The Ice Bucket Challenge went viral in 2014 to raise ALS awareness and funds through videos of people dumping ice water on themselves.

Migration reshapes Europe  

In 2015, over a million people fled war and poverty in countries like Syria, Afghanistan, and Eritrea, risking their lives crossing the Mediterranean to reach Europe.

Ebola Outbreak   

Ebola outbreak in West Africa was the deadliest ever, spreading beyond the region to Europe and the US.

#MeToo 

Started by Tarana Burke, the Me Too movement went global in 2017 after Alyssa Milano’s viral tweet, spotlighting the scale of sexual harassment.

CRISPR-CAS9 Gene Editing 

CRISPR made headlines in 2018 for its medical potential and ethical controversy, especially after the first gene-edited babies were announced in China.

Climate Strikes   

Greta Thunberg’s #FridaysForFuture sparked global youth-led climate strikes, peaking with millions protesting in over 150 countries during the UN Climate Summit.

COVID-19   

In 2020, mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna were rapidly developed for COVID-19, marking a major medical breakthrough.

Webb Space Telescope launch    

Launched in 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope is the most powerful ever, designed to study the early universe and distant planets using infrared light.

Hello, ChatGPT     

Launched in 2022, ChatGPT made advanced AI accessible to the public, going viral for its powerful, easy-to-use language capabilities.

Tirzepatide Redefines Metabolic Care    

In 2023, Tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) gained attention for its powerful effects on diabetes and weight loss, sparking both praise and ethical debate.

Super-Earth Found in Habitable Zone    

In January 2024, NASA announced TOI-715 b, a possible habitable “super-Earth” 137 light-years away, orbiting in a zone where liquid water might exist.

AI Reshapes Healthcare 

AI is transforming healthcare by improving diagnostics, streamlining workflows, and enabling personalised, predictive care.