Highlights

The Last Ice Age in 24000BC From 24000 to 5000 BCE the Ice Age glaciers of the Last Glacial Maximum slowly retreat, as distinct human cultures begin to arise across the map. Lake Agassiz in 8000BC As ice sheets retreat, a vast meltwater lake known as Lake Agassiz forms across North America dammed by ice itself. An approximate model following Leverington & Teller 2003 is shown in global context. Jericho in 7000BC Perhaps the oldest human urban settlement, the history of Jericho spans ages. Yet the timing of the rise and fall of the Walls and Tower of Jericho are fraught with controversy and complex evidence. Neolithic Era in 5500BC Running Reality isn't actually limited to 3000BC, and though sometimes sparse, we do have data on archeological cultures far back into the Neolithic Era. Neolithic China in 5000BC From c.6000-3000 BCE, explore the cultures, type sites, & settlements of Neolithic China, such as the mysterious early cultures of the Sichuan Basin. History of Salt in 4700BC The importance of salt is exemplified by what may be the 1st city in Europe, Solnitsata, named for salt production, precursor to Varna Culture and the Varna Necropolis gold treasures. Thermaic Gulf Macedon in 3500BC In ancient times, the modern agricultural plains of Macedon didn't exist. From 4000-100 BCE the coast of Macedonia changes dramatically as the Thermaic Gulf silts in, allowing new roads to Thessaly. Liangzhu Ancient City in 3200BC China’s history in no way ends at the first dynasties. Discovered in 2007, this vast Chalcolithic metropolis is now an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Egypt in 3000BC Before the Old Kingdom of Egypt, there was the Confederacy of Nubt, the Confederacy of Nekhen, the Thinite Confederacy, & their ancient cities. Indus Valley Civilizations in 2600BC As the Indus Valley Civilization rises as one of the world’s classical cradles of civilization, investigate the many related cultures both before & after. The Great Pyramids in 2560BC Watch the construction sequence of the Great Pyramids of Giza, or zoom out to explore the context of the rest of the world at the same time. Sumeria, Akkadia & Babylonia in 2300BC The Sumerian, Akkadian, and Babylonian Empires flourish in the Fertile Crescent between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the third millennium BCE. Ancient Turkmenistan in 2300BC Arrive by the silk road at the ancient oasis of Merv, ruins today, yet once the center of a triangle of civilization on the Caspian frontier. Early European Peoples in 2200BC Early European cultures begin to branch into the Thracian, Illyrian, Celtic, and Germanic peoples in third millennium BCE Europe. History of Mohenjo-daro in 2100BC Starting from the sophisticated Indus Valley Civilization city of Mohenjo-daro, you can zoom out to study the context of its neighbors in space or time. Ur in 2040BC Investigate a model of the Sumerian city of Ur, near what was once the coast of the Persian Gulf, in its heyday, just as construction begins on the Ziggurat of Ur. Great Flood of Gun-Yu in 1920BC Research by Wu et al., 2016, Science, Vol. 353, 6299, lends credence that China’s mythical Great Flood of Gun-Yu, was real, and caused by an earthquake transiently damming the Yellow River c.1920BCE. The Bantu Migration in 1600BC The Bantu People, originally of West Africa, begin a long migration east across the Sahel, then south throughout Africa’s Rift Valley and into the Congo basin. Bohai Sea Shoreline Changes in 1550BC Due to the immense silt output of the Yellow River, the shoreline of China’s Bohai Sea is estimated to have moved dramatically in ancient times. The Trojan War in 1200BC Back in 1200 BCE, at the time of the Trojan War, the plains we see today around Troy had not yet silted in. History of the Nuragic Civilization in 1200BC Contemporary to the New Kingdom in Egypt, the architects of the mysterious Nuragic Civilization flourish on the island of Sardinia. Classical Dark Ages History in 1180BC Learn from exploration of the classical Dark Ages in the time of the Trojan War, as both the Mycenaen & Hittite Empires collapse for uncertain reasons. The Drying up of Lop Nor in 1100BC From c. 2000 BCE to the 1940’s, the once vast lake Lop Nor in China’s Tarim Basin slowly dries, controlling the fate of the ancient Loulan civilization. Old Testament Era Levant in 1050BC The Levant in the time of the Old Testament is a complex patchwork of kingdoms, names sometimes familiar, others less so. Moab, Edom, Phoenicia and more. Laos’ Mysterious Plain of Jars in 900BC Across the lush Phonsavan Plain of Laos are found thousands of enormous ancient stone jars, nearly 3000 years old, their purpose never solved, an enduring and engaging mystery of the world. Lake Van Fortress in 850BC An otherworldly citadel from another age still stands today. Explore contemporaries of Van Fortress, built c.800 BCE, by the Kingdom of Urartu. Cyprus City States in 810BC Investigate the history Cyprus from antiquity to modernity. Prior to the Phoenicians and Neo-Babylonians, the isle was a copper trading amalgam of city states discoverable today as coastal ruins. Assyrian Empire in 700BC The powerful Assyrian Empire controlled much of the fertile crescent from their sophisticated capital at Ninevah on the Euphrates River. Rise of Rome in 600BC The Roman Republic overthrows its Etruscan king Tarquin the Proud, then soon conquers its Latin neighbors. Babylon in 600BC The city of Babylon has a Golden Age, with new construction like the Hanging Gardens, Ishtar Gate, and the famous tower (also known as the ziggurat Etemenanki). Persian War in 490BC The city-states of Ancient Greece, led by Athens and Sparta, face the might of Xerxes and the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Persepolis in 481BC Persepolis was the home of Darius and Xerxes and the ancient Persian capital until captured by Alexander the Great. Battle of Thermopylae in 480BC The vast Persian Army faces "the 300" Spartans who hold the narrow passage at Thermopylae. Eventually the Persians learn of a secret passage to get behind the Spartans. Battle of Salamis in 480BC After Thermopylae, the tide of the Persian War is turned in the naval Battle of Salamis. The exact date is unknown, but we render it on 9/1/480 BCE. Peloponnesian War, Early Phase in 431BC Jump here to the funeral oration of Pericles, as Athens braces inside its walls in the early phase the 431-421 BCE Archidamian War. Soon to follow are Naupactus in 429 BCE and Pylos in 425 BCE. Peloponnesian War, Syracuse in 414BC Amid political intrigue and backstabbing, the Athenian navy of Alcibiades and Nicias attempt to conquer the city of Syracuse, leading to colossal military disaster in a maze of walls and counterwalls. Peloponnesian War, Late Phase in 411BC Running Reality now has a stronger model of major actions of the entire 30-year history of the Peloponnesian War in all its complexity. Step forward month by month or sometimes daily to explore. History of Athens in 400BC Visit a model of Athens, and its walled port of Piraeus, from City State, through the Hellenistic Age, to city within the Roman Empire. Pella in Macedon in 390BC What will become the capitol of Alexander the Great appears suddenly as a planned city by one of the world’s first urban designers Hippodamus of Miletus, along land that used to be a shoreline. Warring States Period in 360BC China in the Warring States Period on the eve of the rise of the state of Qin. Siege of Tyre in 332BC Alexander the Great transforms Tyre the island into Tyre the peninsula through ancient military megaengineering and causeway construction. Explore approximate siege events month by month. Jixia Academy in 318BC In 2022 archeologists discovered the location of the Jixia Academy, China’s equivalent of Plato’s Academy. Jixia was host to scholars such as Mencius, and a possible worksite for the Tao Te Ching. Ancient Olympics in 301BC The Ancient Olympics were held here at the sanctuary at Olympia from 776 BCE to 394 CE. Appian Way in 293BC Rome builds the Appian Way to support moving legions south to fight the Samnite War. Dujiangyan Irrigation System in 256BC Flooding in the Sichuan basin is tamed c.256BCE by engineering work including slicing through mountainsides, and still in full operation today. Pre-Roman Gaulish Tribes in 150BC The tribes of Gaul before Rome were highly civilized, and well documented, even if the borders were a bit fuzzy. Try exploring them here. Before Hanoi in 140BC Explore the history of Hanoi, where the ruins of a ringed ancient citadel known as 'Co Loa' still reside in the plains north of the modern city. The Gallic Wars Animated in 58BC The Gallic Wars begin as Julius Caesar hurries several legions to Geneva to head off the migration of the Helvetii tribe into the territories of allies. Siege of Masada in 73 Roman Legions systematically surround the plateau fortress of Masada and the Sicarii forces at its summit. Jump forward one month and Rome completes it earthen ramp for the final assault. Vesuvius Buries Pompeii in 79 Mount Vesuvius erupts, destroying Pompeii and Herculaneum. Ephesus in 100 Over a few centuries, the harbor of Ephesus silts in, driving the city inhabitants to relocate the urban center. London in 200 London developed slowly in Roman times, getting its first city walls around the year 200 CE. The city stayed within these walls until after the Medieval period. Rome in 200 Travel in time to Rome at the height of its power: The Colosseum, the Circus Maximus, the Pantheon, all in context as they’re built or fall to ruin. Luoyang Geochronology in 200 The city of Luoyang is one of the ancient capitals of China and traditionally the center of Chinese Yellow River civilization. 1000’s of years of archeological sites reside in this storied region. Battle of Red Cliff in 208 In winter of 208 on the Yangtze River, Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei light the entire navy of warlord Cao Cao on fire in maybe the largest naval battle in history. Wei-Goguryeo War Map in 244 Hwando, mountain capital fortress of the Korean state of Goguryeo is sacked by the kingdom of Wei in the Wei-Goguryeo War. Three Kingdoms Era in 250 China at the end of the Han Dynasty splits into the Three Kingdoms Era after the last Han emperor is deposed in 220 CE. Dynamic Map of the Roman Empire in 250 Explore the provinces, road networks, and posting locations of Legions on the frontiers, through the years of maximum extent for the Roman Empire. Early Suzhou in 300 Visit an approximate model of ancient Suzhou, China, famous for canals and gardens, from about 514 BCE into the middle ages. Early Sixteen Kingdoms in 319 China, Sixteen Kingdoms Era, Early: Explore how China fragments and reunifies by stepping in time from the years 304 to 440. Gothic Migrations Animated in 377 Pressured by the Huns to the north, the Goths cross the Danube River en-masse, to begin a rapid year-by-year migration into Roman territory. The Gupta Empire in 380 India experiences a golden age under the Gupta Empire and the reign of Chandragupta II from 380 to 415 CE. Three Kingdoms of Korea in 400 The Three Kingdoms of Korea (Goguryeo, Silla, & Baekje) dominated the peninsula and parts of Manchuria from the 1st through 6th centuries CE. Later Sixteen Kingdoms in 407 China, Late Sixteen Kingdoms Era: As the Jin Dynasty maintains stability in the south, multiple states like Northern Wei contend for power in the north. Before the Inca Empire in 500 Wander in time to learn about the many precursors to the Inca Empire. Byzantine Empire in 542 Visualize the slow decline of the Byzantine Empire from the 6th to 14th centuries. Early Medieval Britain in 550 Early Medieval Britain emerges in the wake of the Roman withdrawl. Nara, Japan in 728 Imagine visiting the city Nara, ancient capital of Japan, as the vast temple complex of Todai-ji is built along with its magnificent first Buddha statue. Umayyad and Abbasid History in 750 From c.750 to c.1050, study how the Islamic world changes between the Umayyad, Abbasid, Fatimid, & Almoravid Caliphates, and many more. Seorabeol in 750 Walk back in time to Seorabeol of Silla, today the Korean city of Gyeongju. Imagine strolling beside Cheomseongdae Astronomical Observatory in the golden era of Queen Seondeok, and far beyond. Pepin the Short in 760 After placating the pope for permission by the donation of the Papal States, Pepin the Short begins a decade-long scorched earth campaign to drastically reduce the power of the Duchy of Aquitaine. Kyoto in 800 Its grid laid out c.794 AD, beautiful Kyoto (then Heian-kyoo) emerges as Emperor Kanmu moves the capitol from Nara, defining the start of the Heian Period. Lhasa in 800 Render centuries of history around Lhasa, from the start of construction of the Potala Palace in 637, to Jokang Temple in 652, onwards to numerous sacred monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism. End of the Frankish Empire in 843 Following the death of Charlemagne, his Frankish Empire splits into three primary successors, while many smaller duchies emerge. Mayan Capital of Tikal in 874 The Mayan city of Tikal at its peak had about 90 thousand inhabitants and was a leading city in the Mayan region. Historic Constantinople in 1000 From c.600 BCE on, explore the complex history of Byzantium, then Constantinople, then Istanbul, & its many palaces, walls, and places of worship. Ghaznavid Invasions in 1012 Mahmud of Ghazni sacks one city of the Ganges and Indus plains after another (1001-1027), enriching the citadel of Ghazni. Soon after, the Ghurid Empire drives even further across the subcontinent. Battle of Hastings in 1066 Maps of the Battle of Hastings are common, but we're also able to animate the movements of King Harold & William the Conqueror before & after. Seljuks to Manzikert in 1071 Byzantine power teeters on the brink of collapse as Emperor Romanos Diogenes collides with the army of Alp Arslan at the Battle of Manzikert. Step prior to 1037, and watch how the Seljuk Empire grew. Kaifeng in 1085 The Song Dynasty Capital, long wracked by floods, is depicted in the masterpiece “Along the River During the Qingming Festival” circa 1085. Saladin in 1187 From 1169 to 1193 investigate motions of the army of Saladin, as the hero of the Ayyubids expands power across the Levant, harassed by assassins, battling Crusaders, and seizing Jerusalem (10-2-1187). Angkor Wat in 1200 The Khmer Empire in southeast Asia builds the great temple Angkor Wat and a new capital city. Cahokia in 1200 Discover the Native American megalopolis of Cahokia and numerous Middle Mississippian sites. Residing just east of modern St. Louis, Cahokia’s population may have rivaled contemporaries in Europe. Mongol Empire Westward Expansion in 1220 Genghis Khan and his general Subutai march westward, devastating Tashkent, Samarkand, Burkara, Balkh, and far beyond. Mongol Invasions of Russia in 1238 After years of forays to collect intelligence, the armies of Boroldai and Batu Khan launch cavalry invasions of the Rus heartlands, sacking Ryazan, Kolomna, Moscow, Kozelsk and more, yet all rebuild. Storm Changes English Coastline in 1287 The South England Flood of 1287 reshaped the coastline and rivers near Canterbury, Rye, and Dover. For decades after, people continued infilling even more new land. Legendary Shangdu in 1295 “In Xanadu did Kubla Khan…” Yet Xanadu was no myth. It was the Yuan Dynasty Capital of Shangdu, visited by Marco Polo. Its ruins can still be visited today. Quanzhou in 1300 “Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China”, and now UNESCO world heritage site, before there was Hong Kong, Quanzhou was the heart of regional maritime trade as well as porcelain production. Kaesong in 1310 Animate forward and back in time the city of Kaesong, or Gaegyeong, the expansive new capital of Goryeo from 919 CE to the late 1300’s in a prosperous era of the unified Korean peninsula. Sukhothai Cities in 1350 Prior Khmer outposts such as Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai evolve into a complex new kingdom of Tai peoples, the kernel which becomes modern Thailand. Medieval Oslo in 1352 From 1352, Oslo is shaped by several devastating fires in the wooden city, causing a major shift to the west in 1624. Emergence of Early Russia in 1360 As the tide of the Mongol Empire abates, the future of Russia grows with the Novgorod Republic & the Grand Principality of Muscovy Pingyao in 1380 The hub of banking and finance in the Ming Dynasty, Pingyao remains today one of the best-preserved cities of its era, dense with shops, below the high guard towers of the old city walls. Timurid Campaigns in 1386 Select the Army of Timur object and then click on location and movement steps to jump through time as Tamerlane attempts to rebuild the Mongol Empire starting from his capitol at Samarkand. Seoul in 1396 Seoul, South Korea, emerges beyond its ancient predecessors, in the era of the Joseon Dynasty, as the Gyeongbokgung Palace & city walls are built c.1396. Pachacamac in 1400 Step back in time to the pre-Inca metropolis of Pachacamac on the Peruvian coast. Approximate structure founding dates are rendered, giving an impression how growth of the city may have appeared. Early Nanjing in 1405 See Nanjing, China (lit. "South Capital"), from its mysterious "Stone City" origins ~100 CE, to capitol of the Ming Dynasty c.1368, and much more. Voyages of Zheng He in 1405 China’s Admiral Zheng He sets forth on the first of several epic voyages of exploration with a fleet of hundreds of vessels, some near the size of aircraft carriers. History of West Africa in 1410 Learn about the interconnections in time between the Mali, Bornu, Kanem, Songhai, & Benin Empires, along with nearby kingdoms. Hundred Years War Maps in 1430 Encompassing Agincourt and Orleans, with Henry V to Joan of Arc, the Hundred Years War runs long from 1337 to 1453. Machu Picchu in 1450 In the mid 1400’s the Inca build the citadel of Machu Picchu. See it in geospatial context, then and now, beside nearby Inca and pre-Inca sites from the valley of Cuzco to the coast of Pachacamac. The Reconquista in the 1480's in 1486 After centuries of warfare, the armies of Ferdinand and Isabella complete the campaigns of the Reconquista across soon-to-be-unified Spain, setting the context for funding the voyages of Columbus. Map of Indigenous Americans in 1491 Explore the map of indigenous peoples of the Americas before the arrival of Columbus. Columbus in 1492 Christopher Columbus is about to arrive in the New World with the ships the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. Philippines in 1500 Before the Spanish, the archipelago of the Philippines is a complex set of cultures & states such as the Lumad & Igorot peoples. Portugal in India in 1503 Colonialism arrives in India as Portuguese forces under Vasco da Gama repeatedly sack Calicut, and expand from Cochin. Aztec Empire in 1515 The Aztec Empire before the arrival of Cortes and the Spanish. Cortes Topples the Aztec in 1521 The Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, comes under siege by Hernan Cortes and the Spanish Army. Dissolution of the Kalmar Union in 1523 The dissolution of the Kalmar Union, a personal union of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, comes with the independence of Sweden in 1523. German Venezuela in 1530 Before Germany was even a unified nation, Germans had a colony in Venezuela? Indeed, play out the history and context of Klein Venedig as early expeditions search for resources and treasure. Incan Empire Collapse in 1531 How could a tiny contingent of Spanish Conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro conquer the vast, mountainous and well-organized Inca Empire? Perhaps smallpox and Incan civil war help explain. Ming Dynasty Great Wall in 1544 The Ming Dynasty segments of the Great Wall of China are most famous, but earlier segments date back as far as c.350 BCE. Borneo in 1550 Explore the native peoples of Borneo persisting in the interior as states like the Bruneian Empire & Sultanate of Gowa intermittently hold the coasts. Tokugawa Shogunate in 1560 From c.1560 to 1599 the Oda Clan expands under Oda Nobunaga before Japan is unified as the Tokugawa Shogunate at the dawn of the 1600's. Early Antwerp in 1570 Early Antwerp, trade hub of northern Europe in the late middle ages, is modeled here from about 1000 to 1600 CE, with work ongoing. Siege of Nagashino Castle in 1575 Oda Nobunaga spontaneously invents the modern tactic of rotating volleys of firearms, as his arquebusiers break the siege of Nagashino Castle. Roanoke in 1585 The English establish the colony of Roanoke in the New World, though it will survive only a few years. The Imjin War in 1592 In May 1593 Toyotomi Hideyoshi launches what would become the largest amphibious landings until D-Day, starting a destructive decade-long attempted invasion of Joseon Korea and Ming China. Venice in 1600 Venice reaches the height of its power with a network of territories and trade routes stretching across the eastern Mediterranean. Jamestown Colony in 1609 Captain John Smith establishs Jamestown near Werowocomoco, the Powhatan capital and home of Pocahontas. Animated History of Bath in 1610 Animate the history of Bath, England, from Roman outpost c.43 CE, to abbey village c.1610, to icon of Georgian architecture c.1800. Oldest Maps of Oxford in 1611 By the hand-illustrated maps of John Speed, envision yourself transported back in time to the meadow paths of pastoral Oxford, 1611. History of York England in 1617 Thanks to the exquisite maps of Braun & Hogenberg, we can re-create cities such as York, England, with fine detail in the 1600’s. English Civil War in 1645 The English Civil War shows how the conflict spread across Great Britain. Amsterdam in 1650 Amsterdam grows rapidly, digging more canals, after the Zuiderzee floods open a shipping channel to the North Sea. Boston in 1650 John Winthrop's industrious colonists quickly lay out the first streets of Boston on a narrow and protected peninsula at the base of Beacon Hill. Early Copenhagen in 1650 Animate Copenhagen to the 1650’s, as the Baltic hub is ringed by ever more complex bastions, seawalls, and fortifications. Great Fire of London in 1666 The Great Fire of London consumes many of the wooden structures in the city. Romanov Expansion in 1670 Russia grows rapidly in the 1600's under the Romanov Tsars, including territory gained from the Russo-Polish War that concluded in 1667. Animated History of Sweden in 1670 We show every territory step, as the Swedish Empire reaches its zenith of power in the era before the 1718-1721 Great Northern War. Tokyo in 1680 Thanks to the amazingly detailed map of Yoshinaga Hayashi, we're making slow progress detailing "a Venice of Japan": Tokyo in 1680. Ayutthaya in 1680 Explore the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, also known as Siam or early Thailand, as it experiences a golden age in the time of King Narai with the construction wonders that can be visited today. Emergent History in 1720 Emergent History: Sometimes, gathering 100’s of separate factoids in one place reveals new patterns, like the spread of new towns in young America. Alexandria, Virginia in 1750 The colonial port city of Alexandria, Virginia grows rapidly as a commercial hub for trans-Atlantic trade. New York City in 1755 New York City grows from small village into a metropolis. We've so far drawn in the streets from 1624 to 1859 and are working on the 1860's now. The Battle of Plassey in 1757 Plassey: Robert Clive of the British East India Co. bribes Mir Jafar to betray the Nawab of Bengal, a pivotal moment in British expansion into the Ganges plain. Battle of the Plains of Abraham in 1759 The British take Quebec City after the Battle of the Plains of Abraham near the end of the Seven Years War. The History of San Diego in 1770 From 1769 to ~1900, animate the early history of San Diego, as the city’s center of gravity shifts away from the original Presidio of San Diego. First Partition of Poland in 1772 Animate the First Partition of Poland (+1day), as the vast Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth begins to be claimed by Prussia, Austria, & the Tsardom of Russia. Bunker Hill in 1775 The Battle of Bunker Hill: It takes the British under General Howe 3 tries to finally take the colonial positions in the hills at Charlestown. Noble Train of Artillery in 1775 Henry Knox and company change history by oxen sleds over the Appalachians in midwinter, delivering captured artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston. Britain evacuates the city immediately after. American Turtle in 1776 Why is there a submarine off the coast of Connecticut in 1775? Because the first submarine warfare was conducted against the British Navy in the middle the American Revolution, even if unsuccessful. Nova Scotia Raids in 1776 John Paul Jones and the American Navy get their start with multiple raids (7-1775 to 7-1782) on British Canada, after Nova Scotia opts not to join the rebellion. The Battles of Saratoga in 1777 The First (9/19/1777) and Second Battles of Saratoga (10/7/1777), Gates vs. Burgoyne, lead to the turning of the tide of the American Revolutionary War. American Revolution Southern Theater in 1778 Step month by month or day by day to unfold events from the Capture of Savannah (12-29-1778) to Guilford Courthouse (3-15-1781) to Cowpens (1-17-1781) to the Tobacco War (4-1781). US Expansion in 1781 The U.S. begins its territorial expansion across the North American continent. Ride of Jack Jouett in 1781 Thomas Jefferson is nearly captured by the dragoons of Banastre Tarleton in a lightning raid on Charlottesville and Monticello. Only the ride of tavernkeeper’s son Jack Jouett warns Jefferson in time. Siege of Yorktown in 1781 Washington, Lafayette, Rochambeau and de Grasse surround Cornwallis in the ultimate victory of the American Revolution. Explore events day by day, including the march of the French from Rhode Island. Second Partition of Poland in 1792 Animate the 2nd Partition of Poland (+1day), then 2 years later the 3rd & final step, as Poland is temporarily erased from the map, then remade in the wake of WWI. Napoleon in Egypt in 1798 Before becoming Emperor himself, Napoleon is deployed by the revolutionary French Directory to conquer Egypt. Seizure of Malta and discovery of the Rosetta Stone follow. Britain responds immediately. Beijing in 1800 Beijing expands rapidly through two sets of city walls during the Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty from c.1400 into the early modern era. Battle of Austerlitz Map in 1805 At the Battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon wins one of his most significant victories against the combined forces of the 3rd Coalition. Steel Town Born in 1810 Pittsburgh, Steel Town USA, from wilderness Fort Duquesne, to Fort Pitt, the Forbes Road & Braddock Road, to the once incandescent blast furnaces of US Steel. Maundy Thursday Earthquake in 1812 As the 1st Republic of Venezuela faces Spanish assault, an intense earthquake on the religious holiday of Maundy Thursday strikes, turning public option suddenly back to Royalist favor. Napoleon’s Invasion of Russia in 1812 Never start a land war in Asia. Simón Bolívar’s Campaigns in 1813 See mapped how Simón Bolívar and many others such as Miranda, Mariño, Santander, and San Martín carry out interwoven campaigns that eventually liberate much of South America from Spanish rule. Washington is Burned in 1814 Washington D.C. is burned by British forces during the War of 1812 after defeating U.S. forces at the Battle of Bladensburg. Fort McHenry in 1814 Over 2 days, British forces attempt to take Baltimore by land & sea but fail. The naval bombardment of Ft. McHenry inspires Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner. Battle of New Orleans in 1815 U.S. forces defeat the British at the Battle of New Orleans. The battle was after the treaty to end the war, but before news of the treaty arrived. Battle of Waterloo in 1815 Napoleon Bonaparte faces his final defeat by the Duke of Wellington and the armies of the Seventh Coalition at the Battle of Waterloo. Life and Times of Jane Austen in 1815 Click on location factoids for Jane Austen to walk through locations and events in her life from Steventon to Chawton, and explore some of the wider context of the world when she wrote her works. South American Independence in 1830 Step by decade from c.1800 to 1950 to watch the nations of South America evolve through countless small border changes. Animated History of Edinburgh in 1830 Watch Edinburgh evolve, from hardly more than the ridgetop Royal Mile & Edinburgh Castle in 1000 CE, to jewel of Scotland, c.1850. Early Los Angeles in 1830 Evolving the map of Los Angeles is a megaproject indeed. So far we’ve added from approximately 1750 to near 1895. Chicago in 1838 Early Chicago: Watch how fast the city expands from little more than a single wilderness fort on the shore of Lake Michigan. Australian Provincial History in 1851 Animate forward in time the provincial history of Australia, and the way it reflects the settlement of new cities across the continent. The Taiping Rebellion in 1851 From 1851 to 1864, at partly the same time as America’s Civil War, south and central China is torn by a terrible conflict known as the Taiping Rebellion. Early US Railroads in 1853 America is utterly transformed, from ~1831 to 1859, as countless miles of railroads are built at breakneck speed, well before the Civil War begins. Gold Rush Era California in 1854 In 1848 placer gold is discovered in California, kicking of a whirlwind of development, only to be followed by the 1896 Klondike Gold Rush in the Yukon amid vastly more harsh conditions. Early History of Atlanta in 1854 In 1854 Atlanta was still a small railroad junction town. Step forward +10years, and it’s a strategic city in flames, with the Union Army’s Burning of Atlanta. Seattle in 1855 A hand drawn map from 1855 gives us a glimpse of the birth of Seattle. Early Kolkata in 1860 From Fort William to Eden Gardens, central Kolkata (prev. Calcutta) grows in this in-progress model starting from ~1600 CE. U.S. Civil War Starts in 1861 The United States Civil War starts with the secession of South Carolina. 1st Battle of Bull Run in 1861 The first major battle of the American Civil War was fought for control of the rail junction near Manassas, Virginia. Monitor Versus Merrimack in 1862 The first naval battle between ironclad warships: USS Monitor, fresh from the Brooklyn Navy Yards, vs. CSS Virgina (formerly USS Merrimack), fight to a draw. Battle of Shiloh in 1862 The Battle of Shiloh rages during the American Civil War to capture the rail junction at Corinth. Gettysburg in 1863 The Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War was the furthest that General Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army advanced into Union territory. Battle of Cold Harbor in 1864 The Battle of Cold Harbor was part of the Grant's campaign to capture Richmond, VA, late in the American Civil War. Lincoln's Assassin Flees in 1865 John Wilkes Booth takes flight from DC after the assassination of Lincoln, first to the swamps of south Maryland, then to his demise at Garrett's barn in VA. British Railroad History in 1870 From 1825 to c.1870 watch year-by-year the construction of the first railways of Great Britain. Minneapolis & St. Paul in 1870 From a few Dakota Sioux villages and trails, to Fort Snelling, to milltown at St. Anthony Falls, watch Minneapolis & St. Paul grow in the late 1800’s. Canadian Provincial History in 1877 Since Confederation, Canada’s provincial boundaries have undergone substantial evolution. Where exactly was the District of Keewatin? Boer and Zulu War Maps in 1879 Step in time using the +/- 1 Year buttons to witness the rapid map changes during the Zulu and Boer Wars prior to the establishment of South Africa. Vancouver History in 1888 After the Vancouver Great Fire of 1886, the city rebounds, helped by the lumber of Hastings Sawmill and the new roundhouse of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Vincent van Gogh in 1888 Geospatially walk in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh’s later years from Paris to Arles to Auvers-sur-Oise. Late Impressionism in 1889 Impressionism reaches its golden years as Vincent Van Gogh in Arles, and numerous others near Paris, change the rules of painting forever. Life and Times of Mark Twain in 1889 Witness some of Mark Twain’s America by advancing through factoids from his life and writings, to see aspects of the world in his era, from Hannibal MI to Olivia Langdon Clemens to Hartford CT. Modernizing Thailand in 1895 Rama V of Siam presciently commands the first railway construction in his kingdom, one of many modernizing choices that helps Siam stay independent against all colonialism. Camp Russell Alger in 1898 In the summer of 1898, approximately 35,000 soldiers arrived for training at an ill-equipped Camp Alger outside of Washington, DC. Wuhan in 1900 The 3 cities Wuchang, Hanyang, & Hankou grow and merge to become modern Wuhan. We have ~200 CE to near the 1957 first major crossing of the Yangtze. Washington, DC in 1902 Washington, DC grows as the Potomac River is filled to expand the National Mall. Russo-Japanese War Map in 1905 The Battle of Mukden begins amid the Russo-Japanese War, along the recently completed Manchurian branch of the Trans-Siberian Railroad. History of Shanghai in 1911 From c.1500 to 1911, Shanghai evolves from a small walled town, to fill with international settlements and some of China's first railroads. Remember the Maine in 1911 Remember the Maine: Years after an explosion on the USS Maine in Havana sets off the Spanish American War, it's raised again by the US Corps of Engineers. Delhi Old and New in 1912 Delhi old and new: the city of the venerable Red Fort and Chandni Chowk markets, gains New Delhi, of grand traffic circles, symmetry, and government offices. Haifa in 1912 Visualize how in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s cities such as Tel Aviv-Jaffa and Haifa expand at rapid pace, amid a changing world before and after WWI. Sinking of the Titanic in 1912 On the fated night of the sinking of RMS Titanic, part of the story includes the many other vessels that raced to the scene in the North Atlantic. WWI Begins in 1914 Battle of the Frontiers: Animate day-by-day the opening of WWI's Western Front as German forces sweep into Belgium & by Sept 12 stall short of Paris. The Battle of Cer in 1914 WWI escalates in the Balkans with the Battle of Cer, as Austria-Hungary makes the first of many attempts to invade Serbia, foreboding the long war ahead. Gallipoli in 1915 The Entente forces of WWI attempt to capture the Dardanelles straits. Yet over months of brutal trench warfare, fail entirely, at vast cost to the Anzac brigades, as well as the Ottoman defenders. Halifax Explosion in 1917 On December 6th, 1917 in the middle of WWI, the largest non-nuclear explosion in history devastated the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, via the collision of the munitions ship SS Mont-Blanc and SS Imo. History of Miami in 1920 Miami, ~1836-1920, from Fort Dallas & the William English Plantation, to Miami Beach & the incredible 8th wonder of the world Overseas Railroad to Key West. Tomb of Tutankhamen in 1922 Lord Carnarvon & Lady Evelyn Herbert look on as Howard Carter first opens the 3200 year old tomb of Tutankhamen, KV62, in the Valley of Kings. The Long March in 1935 In 1934 the First Front Red Army led by Mao Zedong begins the Long March, fighting at Luoding Bridge on 5-29-1935, crossing the Zoige Marshes in 8-1935 and arriving in Shaanxi in 10-1935. Spanish Civil War Maps in 1937 The Spanish Civil War hints at the characteristics of mechanized and aerial warfare that will be seen in a just a few years time in WWII. The Winter War in 1939 The little known Winter War, between Finland and the Soviet Union, is fought very near the beginning of WWII. The Battle of France in 1940 The Battle of France: See troops advance each day (to June 25), as Paris falls, & British Expeditionary Forces and some Allied remnants evacuate at Dunkirk. Operation Barbarossa Animated in 1941 Operation Barbarossa, one of Hitler's many blunders in WWII, opens a vast eastern front with the invasion of the Soviet Union. Pearl Harbor in 1941 On a day of infamy, the Empire of Japan awakens a sleeping giant, and fills it with a terrible resolve. El Alamein in 1942 At the 2nd Battle of El Alamein, Allied forces under General Montgomery stem the advance of Panzer Army Africa before Rommel can reach Alexandria. Stalingrad and After in 1942 Stalingrad, the turning of the tide: after the German 6th Army surrenders, future movements witness the German retreat from Russia. Operation Husky in 1943 Operation Husky, the long awaited allied Invasion of Sicily, sees British & American troops transfer from North Africa into the campaign to liberate Italy. D-Day in 1944 D-Day. A moment in time so important, no words suffice. Operation Market Garden in 1944 In a daring bid to end WWII early, Allied forces attempt to advance perhaps "A bridge too far". Battle of the Bulge in 1944 The Battle of the Bulge: Watch troop movements unfold (up to Jan 25th 1945) in one of the last major German counteroffensives of WWII. The Fall of Berlin in 1945 In mid April 1945, the 1st Belorussian and Ukrainian Fronts begin their final drive to enter Berlin after months of advances across eastern Europe. Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima in 1945 After firebombing Tokyo and nearly every city of Japan, the US ends WWII by opening Pandora’s Box, vaporizing civilians, and beginning the nuclear era, all in a paradoxical attempt to end insanity. Kon Tiki Expedition Map in 1947 Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon Tiki Expedition sets out from the port of Callao Peru, for a real world test of a hypothesis for Pacific migration. The Amethyst Incident in 1949 In 1949 HMS Amethyst is fired upon and incapacitated by PLA forces on the north bank of the Yangtze River. Shortly after in a rapid cascade of events, British and American forces evacuate Shanghai. Colonialism's End in 1955 Step by year from 1955 to 1965 to see how the colonial map of Africa transforms to near the modern map. The Berlin Wall in 1961 From 1961 to 1989 the Berlin Wall turns the American, French, and British Sectors of West Berlin into a virtual island. Pudong New Area in 1999 Few urban expansion projects represent the 21st century quite like the explosive construction of Shanghai’s Pudong New Area starting c.1990. Drying of the Aral Sea in 2004 A large-scale environmental cautionary tale, the drying up of the Aral Sea leaves the inland lake a shadow of its former self. South Sudan in 2011 South Sudan declares its independence after a referendum, becoming the world's youngest nation. China’s Railway Network in 2020 Through mountainous terrain, WWII, and revolution, explore a detailed model of the growth of China’s railway network to the bullet trains of today. Shenzhen in 2023 The history of the megacity of Shenzhen may seem rapid from its declaration as Special Economic Zone in the 1980’s to today. Still, the true history of the city of technology began long long before. Caen France in 1066 William the Conqueror sets Caen as capitol of Normandy and builds Caen Castle with his wife Matilda of Flanders. The pope then has the pair build vast monasteries as acts of penance.