360Education
Encyclopedias, universities, scholarships and the spread of knowledge.
History · 7
- 2000–2009
The 2000s: the human genome and the smartphone
The Human Genome Project was completed in 2003. Social media and YouTube appeared, and the iPhone launched in 2007. King Abdullah began his reign in 2005, Saudi Arabia joined the World Trade Organization, and KAUST opened in 2009. A financial crisis in 2008 caused a global recession.
- 1960–1969
The 1960s: the first astronaut and the Moon landing
Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space in 1961, and Apollo 11 landed on the Moon in 1969. Saudi Arabia co-founded OPEC in 1960, and King Faisal began his reign in 1964, launching major development and the Kingdom's first television service. Satellites began relaying television across oceans.
- 1950–1959
The 1950s: DNA, Everest and the space age
In 1953, scientists revealed the double-helix structure of DNA, and climbers first reached the summit of Everest. King Saud succeeded King Abdulaziz that year. A polio vaccine was approved in 1955, and in 1957 the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, starting the space age.
- 1820–1829
The 1820s: the Second Saudi State and the first railway
In 1824, Imam Turki bin Abdullah founded the Second Saudi State and made Riyadh its capital. In England, the Stockton and Darlington Railway opened in 1825 as the first public railway using steam locomotives. The first surviving photograph was taken, and Louis Braille created his reading system for blind people.
- 1700–1799
The 18th century: Enlightenment, steam and a new Saudi state
The 18th century was the age of the Enlightenment, when thinkers championed reason and knowledge. In 1727, Imam Muhammad bin Saud founded the First Saudi State in Diriyah. In Britain, steam engines and spinning machines launched the Industrial Revolution. The century ended with new nations and new ideas about government.
- 1760–1769
The 1760s: the Industrial Revolution gathers pace
In the 1760s, British inventors transformed industry. James Hargreaves built the spinning jenny, Richard Arkwright the water frame, and James Watt designed a far more efficient steam engine. Captain James Cook began his first Pacific voyage, and the Encyclopaedia Britannica was first published in Edinburgh.
- 1750–1759
The 1750s: the first great encyclopedia
In 1751, France's Encyclopédie began gathering the world's knowledge for ordinary readers, a landmark of the Enlightenment. Benjamin Franklin showed lightning is electricity, Samuel Johnson published his famous English dictionary, and the British Museum opened as one of the first free public museums. A great earthquake struck Lisbon in 1755.
On this day · 3
- 16 November 1945
UNESCO is founded
On 16 November 1945, 37 countries signed the constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, in London. It works to promote education, science and culture, and it keeps the World Heritage List, which protects places such as the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu and the Pyramids of Giza.
- 10 December 1901
The first Nobel Prizes are awarded
On 10 December 1901, five years after Alfred Nobel's death, the first Nobel Prizes were awarded. Wilhelm Röntgen won the physics prize for discovering X-rays. The prizes are still presented every year on 10 December, the anniversary of Nobel's death.
- 27 November 1895
Alfred Nobel signs the will that creates the Nobel Prizes
On 27 November 1895, in Paris, the Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel signed his last will. He left most of his fortune to fund annual prizes for those who 'conferred the greatest benefit to humankind' in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace. The first prizes were awarded in 1901.