Oct 6th 2011, 14:19:53
I decided conclusively on five of the ten most important dates in recorded history- and then chose two more later. The second set of dates has been included on October 24 after careful research. Dates added to the second set are marked as such. There are three more dates to be added.
September 2, 31 B.C. Conclusion of the Battle of Actium which eventually led to the founding of the Roman Empire, which laid the foundation of the modern world.
October 10, 732. Battle of Tours, the most decisive battle between Islam and Christianity, where the latter won. If the battle had been lost, Islam would certainly be the dominant religion today with only the survival of Hinduism, Buddhism, and various Eastern religions.
July 15, 1215. Magna Carta recorded, the foundation for Western law.
May 29, 1453. Fall of Constantinople. If the Muslims had not defeated the Byzantine Empire, Islam would very likely remain a relatively minor regional religion similar to Shinto or Taoism.
July 14, 1789. Storming and fall of Bastille. Before this event, the power of the King remained absolute. This event greatly enboldened the revolutionaries and led the king to back down and eventually abdicate. Also led to the rise of Napoleon. (date added Oct 24 by author)
August 3, 1798. Battle of the Nile. This less famous of Admiral Nelson's battle had a larger effect than Trafalgar. Napoleon was close to conquering the Middle East and North Africa which would mean an almost certain victory over all of Europe. However, this defeat directly caused his land armies to lose the important Siege of Acre, causing him to withdraw. (date added Oct 24)
November 9, 1923. Beer Hall Putsch. Later solidified Hitler's rise to power.
Other dates considered but not chosen, usually because the event itself was the final culmination of a greater trend with many causes. While the outcome of the events above clearly had a major impact overall, the below triggered events which seemed to be inevitable anyways.
-Battle of Trafalgar. While very important, Napoleon had clearly decided not to invade England before the battle. This is the event that I had to consider closest, since it did arguable create the disastrous continental blockade which hurt the economy of France. But, such a system would likely have been created no matter what happened.
-Invention of the cotton gin, industrial revolution. No single event caused the industrial revolution, and the causes are debated to this day. The innovations of this period were symptom rather than causes of the industrial revolution.
-Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, which set off World War I. The system of alliances was leading to war, which was inevitable.
-September 11th attacks. Another event that had to be considered closely, but saying this attack being the top 10 events would be giving undue weight to recent events. Also, the true effects of September 11 on world history are still unclear.
September 2, 31 B.C. Conclusion of the Battle of Actium which eventually led to the founding of the Roman Empire, which laid the foundation of the modern world.
October 10, 732. Battle of Tours, the most decisive battle between Islam and Christianity, where the latter won. If the battle had been lost, Islam would certainly be the dominant religion today with only the survival of Hinduism, Buddhism, and various Eastern religions.
July 15, 1215. Magna Carta recorded, the foundation for Western law.
May 29, 1453. Fall of Constantinople. If the Muslims had not defeated the Byzantine Empire, Islam would very likely remain a relatively minor regional religion similar to Shinto or Taoism.
July 14, 1789. Storming and fall of Bastille. Before this event, the power of the King remained absolute. This event greatly enboldened the revolutionaries and led the king to back down and eventually abdicate. Also led to the rise of Napoleon. (date added Oct 24 by author)
August 3, 1798. Battle of the Nile. This less famous of Admiral Nelson's battle had a larger effect than Trafalgar. Napoleon was close to conquering the Middle East and North Africa which would mean an almost certain victory over all of Europe. However, this defeat directly caused his land armies to lose the important Siege of Acre, causing him to withdraw. (date added Oct 24)
November 9, 1923. Beer Hall Putsch. Later solidified Hitler's rise to power.
Other dates considered but not chosen, usually because the event itself was the final culmination of a greater trend with many causes. While the outcome of the events above clearly had a major impact overall, the below triggered events which seemed to be inevitable anyways.
-Battle of Trafalgar. While very important, Napoleon had clearly decided not to invade England before the battle. This is the event that I had to consider closest, since it did arguable create the disastrous continental blockade which hurt the economy of France. But, such a system would likely have been created no matter what happened.
-Invention of the cotton gin, industrial revolution. No single event caused the industrial revolution, and the causes are debated to this day. The innovations of this period were symptom rather than causes of the industrial revolution.
-Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, which set off World War I. The system of alliances was leading to war, which was inevitable.
-September 11th attacks. Another event that had to be considered closely, but saying this attack being the top 10 events would be giving undue weight to recent events. Also, the true effects of September 11 on world history are still unclear.