109 Pivotal Moments In Human History That Changed Our Course Forever

What were the most important events in history? The answer may vary depending on who you ask, where and when they were born, and what they've experienced in their own lifetime.

Some may include World War II, others could go straight to the invention of the cellphone, or man's first visit to the moon. There are hundreds, if not thousands, more potential responses. All are significant and all have shaped the world as we know it today - in one way or the other.

But certain events are so massive that they change the world instantly, forever...

Among the most recent is one that still haunts many of us: The Covid-19 pandemic. What a time to be alive...

One moment we were living our (best-as-we-could) lives, the next we were in an unexpected global lockdown, watching the fatalities rise all around us.

"On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, sending shockwaves across the planet. Overnight, borders closed, cities locked down, and daily life changed for billions—something unseen since previous pandemics, but on a much larger scale," reports the History Collection site. "The speed and scope of the response was unprecedented, with countries scrambling to adapt."

More than 7 million people lost their lives to the virus, economies took a knock, businesses shut down, families were left homeless and many still haven't fully recovered from the crisis.

Another fairly recent date many of us will never forget is September 11, 2001, or 9/11, as it's since become known.

Again, things began as normal on this fateful day in history until suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, two planes flew into the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center in New York. A series of co-ordinated attacks followed. A third plane crashed into the Pentagon, and another into a Pennsylvania field, leaving America and the rest of the world stunned.

Close to 3,000 people lost their lives in those incidents. Air travel, politics, and daily life for many, would never be the same again.

"In a single morning, global priorities shifted, leading to sweeping changes in security and foreign policy," notes History Collection. It wasn't long before a number of wars would be launched.

When Pew Research Center asked Americans in 2016 what to name the 10 most significant events in their lifetime, 76% included 9/11. Barack Obama's election was the second-most frequently named event, listed by 40% of the 2,000 people surveyed.

"Every other event is named by fewer than one-quarter of all adults," noted Pew. "This includes the changes ushered in by the internet, personal computers, smartphones and other innovations of the tech revolution, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and the Vietnam War."

Many South Africans may say that the release of Nelson Mandela, the end of apartheid, and the first democratic elections were among the most important events in history for them. Each was a step towards a more inclusive and fair country, and changed the lives of millions of people.

"Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world," said Mandela in his presidential inauguration speech, "The Dawn of a New South Africa." 

But over in Germany and other European countries, those events might not rank as high on the list as something like the fall of the Berlin Wall, which took place the night of November 9, 1989. The wall was seen as the symbol of a divided Europe, so when it was suddenly opened, many were amazed.

"East and West Berliners surged through, embracing, celebrating, and chipping away at the concrete barrier that had separated families for decades," reports the History Collection site. "This spontaneous event marked the beginning of the end for the Cold War, rivaling other political upheavals in its speed and significance."

One historical moment that had millions celebrating around the globe happened on July 20, 1969, and not on earth...

“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” said Neil Armstrong, as he stepped onto the lunar surface. NASA's website reveals that it took four days for the Lunar Module Eagle, carrying Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to travel to the moon. And an estimated 650 million people watched the landing.

It marked a major milestone in the space race and showed many that what might seem impossible can be achieved.

As mentioned earlier, someone's idea of what the most significant historical events are can depend on where and when they were born.

Pew Research Center's 2016 survey found this to be true, noting that Americans are primarily bound together by their generation and the major events that occurred during their formative years.

"For the oldest Americans, the Silent and Greatest generations, that unifying event is World War II. For Baby Boomers, the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the Vietnam War are defining moments," reads the site. "For Millennials and Gen Xers, 9/11 and the Obama election leads the list by a greater margin than for other generations."