Modern

The recent past — revolutions, industry, and the events that shaped today's world.

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History Modern

The 1918 flu killed more people than the First World War

75 sec read

History Modern

The first crewed Moon landing happened on July 20, 1969

75 sec read

History Modern

The Berlin Wall fell after a garbled press conference in 1989

75 sec read

History Modern

Britain abolished its slave trade in 1807 — but not slavery itself

45 sec read

History Modern

The 1861 telegraph linked America coast to coast — and killed the Pony Express

40 sec read

History Modern

New Zealand was the first country to give women the vote, in 1893

40 sec read

◆ On this day

On this day in Modern

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12 Oct 1492

History Modern

Columbus made landfall in the Bahamas

45 sec read

16 Oct 1793

History Modern

Marie Antoinette was guillotined during the French Revolution

45 sec read

17 Jan 1773

History Modern

Captain Cook's ship first crosses the Antarctic Circle

50 sec read

18 Jan 1778

History Modern

Captain Cook becomes the first European to reach Hawaii

45 sec read

24 Jan 1848

History Modern

Gold is discovered at Sutter's Mill, sparking the Gold Rush

45 sec read

26 Jan 1788

History Modern

The First Fleet arrives, founding the colony of Australia

45 sec read

26 Jan 1500

History Modern

Vicente Pinzón becomes the first European to reach Brazil

45 sec read

5 Feb 1958

History Modern

The U.S. loses a hydrogen bomb off Tybee Island

45 sec read

11 Feb 1990

History Modern

Nelson Mandela walks free after 27 years

50 sec read