The RSHM first arrives in the Americas and establishes Schools in Uba and Rio de Janiero before
Before 1920, the RSHM comes to the Americas and establishes Schools in Uba in 1910 and Rio de Janiero in 1911.
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The RSHM first arrives in the Americas and establishes Schools in Uba and Rio de Janiero before
19201920 -
Marymount opens in Los Angeles
19231923Marymount opens in Los Angeles
The RSHM establishes a Marymount School in Los Angeles.
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Marymount opens in Paris
19231923Marymount opens in Paris
The RSHM establishes a Marymount School in Paris.
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Mother Butler purchases 1028 Fifth Avenue
19251925Mother Butler purchases 1028 Fifth Avenue
Mother Butler purchases 1028 Fifth Avenue from Florence Vanderbilt-Burden on December 31, 1925.
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Marymount School of New York opens
19261926Marymount School of New York opens
Marymount School of New York officially opens on February 2, 1926, with a dedication ceremony and liturgy.
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RSHM opens a school in Porto
19261926RSHM opens a school in Porto
The RSHM opens a School in Porto, Portugal on October 15, 1926.
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Drama Club is established
19271927Drama Club is established
The Dramatic Club is established during the 1926-1927 school year.
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RSHM opens School in Belo Horizonte
19281928RSHM opens School in Belo Horizonte
The RSHM establishes a School in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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Marymount’s first graduates
19281928Marymount’s first graduates
Elizabeth Byrne and Marjorie McCormack are Marymount School of New York's first graduates.
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First yearbook is published
19281928First yearbook is published
The first yearbook, the Marifia, is published.
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Istituto Marymount opens in Rome
19301930Istituto Marymount opens in Rome
The RSHM establishes Istituto Marymount on Via Nomentana in Rome.
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Science club founded
19311931Science club founded
A high school science club is formed.
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First Tea Dance
19331933First Tea Dance
Marymount's first tea dance is held on December 28, 1933 with 200 guests.
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Mother Butler purchases 1027 Fifth Avenue
19361936Mother Butler purchases 1027 Fifth Avenue
Mother Butler purchases 1027 Fifth Avenue from Herbert Pratt, a former president of Standard Oil Company.
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Junior College is established
19361936Junior College is established
Marymount Junior College (later known as Marymount Manhattan College) opens with its first freshman class of ten students.
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First Hockey Club is founded
19371937First Hockey Club is founded
The first Hockey Club is officially organized.
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Mother Butler dies
19401940Mother Butler dies
Mother Marie Joseph Butler dies at Tarrytown on April 23, 1940.
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RSHM opens School in Lisboa
19411941RSHM opens School in Lisboa
The RSHM opens a School in Lisboa, Portugal on October 15, 1941.
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Mother Raymunde is appointed Principal
19431943Mother Raymunde is appointed Principal
Mother Raymunde McKay is appointed Principal in 1943, after two years teaching chemistry and supervising the music program.
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Mother Rita is appointed Superior
19431943Mother Rita is appointed Superior
Mother Rita Rowley comes to Marymount Fifth Avenue as Superior following Mother Immaculee McMullen's death.
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RSHM opens School in Vitória
19441944RSHM opens School in Vitória
The RSHM opens a School in Vitoria, Brazil.
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Students sell war bonds
19451945Students sell war bonds
Upper School students sell war bonds before the end of the war in 1945.
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Marymount receives accreditation
19461946Marymount receives accreditation
Marymount is chartered and accredited by the University of the State of New York on June 21, 1946.
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Marymount opens in Rome
19461946Marymount opens in Rome
Marymount International School opens in Rome on October 16, 1946 with 30 students. The School is established to serve the children of Allied personnel in Rome following World War II.
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A new uniform is approved
19461946A new uniform is approved
The Marymount uniform undergoes transformation from a one-piece dress into a suit in 1946.
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RSHM opens a School in Bogotá
19481948RSHM opens a School in Bogotá
The RSHM opens a School in Bogotá, Colombia.
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Junior College moves to 71st Street
19481948Junior College moves to 71st Street
221 East 71 Street is acquired as the new home for the junior college and opens in the fall of 1948. Today it is known as Marymount Manhattan College.
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Mother du Carmel is named Superior
19481948Mother du Carmel is named Superior
Mother du Carmel Connolly is named Superior of Marymount Fifth Avenue in 1948 after Mother Rita Rowley moves to the Junior College.
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100th Anniversary of RSHM
19491949100th Anniversary of RSHM
February 24, 1949 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary.
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Marymount acquires 1026 Fifth Avenue
19501950Marymount acquires 1026 Fifth Avenue
Marymount acquires the Dunlevy Milbank mansion at 1026 Fifth Avenue providing the space required to house a full academic program from pre-kindergarten through Class XII.
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Boys allowed to enroll
19501950Boys allowed to enroll
In 1950, Marymount announces that the School would again have space to enroll boys with its expansion into the 1026 building. Boys are only in the youngest grades and usually leave by first or second grade to attend boys' schools in the neighborhood.
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RSHM opens a School in Fátima
19511951RSHM opens a School in Fátima
The RSHM opens a School in Fátima, Portugal on October 22, 1951.
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RSHM opens a School in Barranquilla
19531953RSHM opens a School in Barranquilla
The RSHM opens a School in Barranquilla, Colombia on February 26, 1953.
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RSHM opens a School in Medellín
19531953RSHM opens a School in Medellín
The RSHM opens a School in Medellin, Columbia on March 1, 1953.
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RSHM opens a School in Belfast
19531953RSHM opens a School in Belfast
The RSHM opens a grammar school in Belfast, Ireland, with 36 boarding and day pupils on September 1, 1953.
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Sister Antoine is appointed Principal
19531953Sister Antoine is appointed Principal
Sister Antoine Campbell is assigned to Marymount School of New York in 1953 as head of the high school. In addition she teaches speech to all students.
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Mother Winifred is named Superior
19541954Mother Winifred is named Superior
When Mother du Carmel Connolly transfers to Tarrytown in 1954, Mother Winifred McConville is named Mother Superior at Marymount Fifth Avenue.
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Marymount opens in London
19551955Marymount opens in London
In 1955, the RSHM establishes a Marymount School in London to meet the needs of families in the international business and diplomatic community.
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RSHM mission to Zimbabwe
19561956RSHM mission to Zimbabwe
On August 21, 1956, two Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary leave New York for Umtali, Southern Rhodesia (now Mutare, Zimbabwe) to open a secondary school.
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RSHM opens a School in Cuernavaca
19571957RSHM opens a School in Cuernavaca
The RSHM opens a Marymount School in Cuernavaca on December 8, 1957.
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New Library is dedicated
19581958New Library is dedicated
The new library in memory of Mrs. John A. Mullen, created in conjunction with efforts by the Fathers' Association, is dedicated on February 24, 1958.
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New uniforms are introduced
19611961New uniforms are introduced
In 1961-62, new uniforms of a Campbell tartan kilt and gray blazer are added to the traditional navy suit.
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RSHM opens a School in Brasília
19621962RSHM opens a School in Brasília
The RSHM opens a School in Brasilia on February 24, 1962.
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Marymount visits the Capitol
19621962Marymount visits the Capitol
The Class of 1962 visits the Capitol in Washington, D.C.
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Sr. Teresita is appointed Headmistress
19691969Sr. Teresita is appointed Headmistress
In 1968-69, under the leadership of Sister Teresita Fay, Religious Superior and Headmistress, the School began the process of incorporating as an entity independent from the religious order. On October 14, 1969, the Board of Regents of the State of New York approved the application for a charter and the first Board of Trustees is convened.
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Board of Trustees appointed
19691969Board of Trustees appointed
Marymount's first Board of Trustees is composed of parents and members of the religious order, and are fiscally and legally responsible for the School. Named by the Headmistress and the RSHM provincial superior, the first trustees included: Anthony J. Peters, Wilmot B. Mitchell, Hugo J. Gelardin, and RSHM Sisters Michelle Murphy, Virginia McNally, and Teresita Fay.
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Sr. Joan is appointed Headmistress
19691969Sr. Joan is appointed Headmistress
In 1969-70, Sister Joan Regis Catherwood became Headmistress.
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Sr. Catherine is named Headmistress
19721972Sr. Catherine is named Headmistress
Sister Catherine Mary Patten becomes Headmistress during the 1972-73 school year. Under her leadership, Marymount received accreditation from the Middle States Association, the Guild of Independent Schools, and the New York State Association of Independent Schools.
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Marymount joins NYSAIS
19731973Marymount joins NYSAIS
In May of 1973, Marymount School of New York is officially accepted in the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS).
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First Annual Fund drive
19731973First Annual Fund drive
The role of the Board of Trustees expands in the early 1970s and a Development Committee is formed to oversee all fundraising activities. The first Director of Development, Valery Shields Shea '59, is appointed and the first annual fund drive begins in 1973.
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Marymount becomes Nursery-XII
19741974Marymount becomes Nursery-XII
In 1974, the School is reconfirgured so that the Lower School encompasses grades Nursery-Class VI and the Upper School encompasses Classes VII-XII.
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Marymount's 50th anniversary
19761976Marymount's 50th anniversary
Marymount celebrates its 50th anniversary on February 2, 1976. A Jubilee Mass is celebrated by Terence Cardinal Cook at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, and a gala celebration is held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Jubilee week at School is commemorated with special workshop days and learning activities.
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Sr. Kathleen is appointed Headmistress
19761976Sr. Kathleen is appointed Headmistress
Sister Kathleen Fagan, head of the Upper School, becomes Headmistress during the 1976-77 school year.
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Landmark status
19771977Landmark status
The Marymount buildings are protected with landmark status when they are included in The Metropolitan Museum Historic District in 1977. Sister Kathleen Fagan comments that this status roots "Marymount more deeply than ever in the neighborhood and will, hopefully, provide new means of outreach to the community."
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First computers
19781978First computers
The first computers for student use are installed at Marymount and computer-assisted instruction begins in 1978.
-
First Capital Campaign
19801980First Capital Campaign
Marymount launches its first capital campaign to raise $1.3 million to fund the rooftop gymnasium in 1980 under the direction of Pat Barter.
-
New rooftop gymnasium opens
19841984New rooftop gymnasium opens
The rooftop gymnasium officially opens on May 31, 1984. With the new facility, a revised physical education curriculum is introduced in 1985 and interscholastic sports competition expands dramatically.
-
Summer program begins
19851985Summer program begins
A summer program is started for children ages three to eight in the summer of 1985.
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Marymount’s 60th anniversary
19861986Marymount’s 60th anniversary
Marymount celebrates its 60th Anniversary with a Mass on Founders' Day at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola. Father Edward M. Egan presides over the Mass and Manhattan Borough President David Dinkins declares February 2, 1986 "Marymount Day." Mayor Edward Koch joins the community for the birthday party at the School and becomes an "Honorary Marymounter."
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Middle School division is created
19891989Middle School division is created
A Middle School division (Classes IV-VII) is created in 1989 to address the specific needs of pre-adolescent girls. Lillian Issa is the first Head of the Middle School.
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Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School established
19911991Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School established
Sacred Heart of Mary High School, founded in 1942 by the RSHM, and Cantwell High School, founded in 1946, unite to establish Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary High School.
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Goals and Criteria established
19911991Goals and Criteria established
Goals and Criteria are established by the RSHM International Network of Schools.
-
Campaign for Science begins
19921992Campaign for Science begins
In 1992, the School embarks on the "Campaign for Science" to finance the construction of three new science labs on the upper floors of the 1026 and 1027 buildings. Pat Barter again becomes the campaign director.
-
Science Center opens
19941994Science Center opens
On October 4, 1994, the new Science Center opens and more than 500 alumnae, parents, and friends gather to view it and to see students demonstrating the technology and equipmnet.
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Website is created
19961996Website is created
The Marymount website is created and becomes a communications tool for the school community.
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Board approves Strategic Plan
19981998Board approves Strategic Plan
Marymount's Strategic Plan is approved by the Board in 1998, outlining goals, rationale, and strategies for implementation in the areas of educational program, student population, staff, parents and alumnae, governance, communications, plant, finance, and development.
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82nd Street purchase
1999199982nd Street purchase
Marymount purchases a building at 2 East 82 Street to serve as the future home of the Middle School.
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Marymount celebrates 75th anniversary
20012001Marymount celebrates 75th anniversary
Marymount celebrates its 75th anniversary and Fifth Avenue is closed for a portion of the day.
-
Middle School opens
20022002Middle School opens
In September, the new townhouse on East 82nd Street opens to house the Middle School division after three years of renovation.
-
Fifth Avenue Campus renovation
20032003Fifth Avenue Campus renovation
The Fifth Avenue buildings are renovated to expand and enhance science and art facilities for Upper School students, continuing the Marymount tradition of providing an integrated, 21st-Century education.
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Concepcion Alvar becomes first lay Headmistress
20042004Concepcion Alvar becomes first lay Headmistress
Concepcion Alvar begins her term as the first lay Headmistress.
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Strategic planning
20072007Strategic planning
The Board of Trustees embarks on a new strategic planning process including the voices of all stakeholder groups. The group identifies several goals including the expansion of innovative learning spaces as well as the advancement of academic excellence, among others.
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Marymount's school hymn is born
20102010Marymount's school hymn is born
The School introduces its community to a new school hymn on February 2, 2010 during Founders' Day Mass. Lyricist Cathy Blackburn uses phrases created by students and music teacher Dr. Chris Cooley acts as composer.
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Marymount leases building
20102010Marymount leases building
Marymount signs a lease with the Archdiocese of New York for the use of the Saint Francis de Sales school building on East 97th Street. The building undergoes renovation to install an elevator, a new kitchen, and a STEM floor.
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97th Street Campus opens
2011201197th Street Campus opens
Marymount increases its campus by 42,000 square feet with the renovation of the former St. Francis De Sales School on 116 East 97th Street. This campus is a incubation hub of innovation teaching and learning, housing a Fab Lab, "School of Rock," dance studio, art studio, science labs, and media lab.
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Marymount acquires land
20122012Marymount acquires land
Marymount acquires a vacant lot on East 97th Street to eventually build the “School of the Future.”
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97th Street Playing Field Opens
2014201497th Street Playing Field Opens
After breaking ground in November 2013, construction of the 97th Street playing field was completed in fall 2014. The site offers an Astroturf playing field for soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey, as well as a mixed-use court for tennis, basketball, volleyball, and badminton. All grade levels have access to these spaces for physical education classes and after-school athletics practices. The playing field also houses Upper Middle School free play and a very popular Saturday tennis program.
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1920
Prohibition begins
January 17, 1920
Prohibition begins
Prohibition officially begins on January 17, 1920 when the Eighteenth Amendment goes into effect.
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1920
19th Amendment passes
August 18, 1920
19th Amendment passes
The 19th Amendment passes, giving women the right to vote.
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1921
Warren Harding becomes President
January 13, 1921
Warren Harding becomes President
Warren Harding becomes the 29th President of the United States (1921-1923).
-
1921
Edith Wharton wins Pulitzer Prize
June 4, 1921
Edith Wharton wins Pulitzer Prize
Edith Wharton wins Pulitzer Prize for Age of Innocence.
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1923
Calvin Coolidge becomes President
August 2, 1923
Calvin Coolidge becomes President
Calvin Coolidge becomes the 30th President of the United States (1923-1929).
-
1925
The Great Gatsby is published
April 10, 1925
The Great Gatsby is published
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is published.
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1927
Lindbergh makes first solo transatlantic flight
May 20, 1927
Lindbergh makes first solo transatlantic flight
Charles Lindbergh makes the first non-stop solo transatlantic flight.
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1927
Holland Tunnel opens
November 13, 1927
Holland Tunnel opens
The Holland Tunnel opens in New York City on November 13, 1927.
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1929
Stock market crashes
October 29, 1929
Stock market crashes
The stock market crashes on October 29, 1929.
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1931
First woman receives a Nobel Peace Prize
December 10, 1931
First woman receives a Nobel Peace Prize
Jane Addams of Hull House is the first woman to be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize.
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1932
Amelia Earhart transatlantic flight
May 20, 1932
Amelia Earhart transatlantic flight
Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to make a transatlantic solo flight.
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1933
FDR is elected
March 4, 1933
FDR is elected
Franklin D. Roosevelt becomes the 32nd President of the United States (1933-1945).
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1933
First female Secretary of Labor
March 4, 1933
First female Secretary of Labor
Frances Perkins becomes the first female Secretary of Labor under FDR and is the first woman to hold a cabinet position in the United States.
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1933
New Deal laws are passed
March 14, 1933
New Deal laws are passed
New Deal laws are passed to promote economic recovery.
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1937
The Hindenburg disaster
May 6, 1937
The Hindenburg disaster
The Hindenburg catches fire and is destroyed during its attempt to dock with its mooring mast at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey on May 6, 1937.
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1939
Spanish Civil War ends
April 1, 1939
Spanish Civil War ends
The Spanish Civil War ends on April 1, 1939. The Nationalists prevail and General Franco rules Spain for the next 36 years.
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1939
Britain and France declare war
September 3, 1939
Britain and France declare war
Britain and France declare war on Germany in response to Hitler's invasion of Poland.
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1941
Japanese attack Pearl Harbor
December 7, 1941
Japanese attack Pearl Harbor
The Japanese launch a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, causing the United States to enter World War II.
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1942
Women’s military services established
May 15, 1942
Women’s military services established
The Women's Army Corps (WAC) becomes the women's branch of the United States Army.
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1944
DNA is isolated
February 1, 1944
DNA is isolated
Oswald Avery, Colin MacLeod, and Maclyn McCarty publish a paper in the February 1944 issue of the Journal of Experimental Medicine explaining that DNA is the substance that causes bacterial transformation. The genetic implications of this discovery are astounding.
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1944
Allies land in Normandy
June 6, 1944
Allies land in Normandy
The Allies coordinate a massive build-up of troops and supplies to support a large-scale invasion of Normandy in the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944.
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1945
Harry Truman succeeds FDR
April 12, 1945
Harry Truman succeeds FDR
President Franklin D. Roosevelt dies on April 12, 1945 and Vice President Harry Truman assumes office later that day. Truman serves as the 33rd President of the United States (1945-1953).
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1945
World War II ends
August 15, 1945
World War II ends
Japan surrenders on August 15, 1945, effectively ending World War II.
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1945
United Nations is established
October 24, 1945
United Nations is established
The United Nations is established to replace the League of Nations in 1945 in order to maintain international peace and promote cooperation in solving international economic, social, and humanitarian problems.
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1947
Discovery of Dead Sea Scrolls
February 1, 1947
Discovery of Dead Sea Scrolls
The Dead Sea Scrolls are discovered in caves near Qumran.
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1947
Jackie Robinson debuts as a Brooklyn Dodger
April 15, 1947
Jackie Robinson debuts as a Brooklyn Dodger
Jackie Robinson makes his debut as a Brooklyn Dodger at Ebbets Field, becoming the first black baseball player in the major leagues.
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1947
Marshall Plan
June 5, 1947
Marshall Plan
Secretary of State George Marshall gives an address to the graduating class of Harvard University on June 5, 1947. Standing on the steps of Memorial Church in Harvard Yard, he offered American aid to promote European recovery and reconstruction after the war.
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1949
U.N. recognizes Israel
May 11, 1949
U.N. recognizes Israel
The United Nations recognizes Israel as a nation on May 11, 1949.
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1950
The era of McCarthyism begins
February 9, 1950
The era of McCarthyism begins
Senator Joseph McCarthy makes a speech warning against Communists in the State Department on February 9, 1950.
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1950
Korean conflict begins
June 25, 1950
Korean conflict begins
On June 25, 1950, the North Korean People's Army (KPA) attacks South Korea, beginning the Korean conflict.
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1951
UNIVAC is introduced
March 31, 1951
UNIVAC is introduced
The first UNIVAC (Universal Automatic Computer) is introduced on March 31, 1951.
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1952
Queen Elizabeth II is crowned
February 6, 1952
Queen Elizabeth II is crowned
Elizabeth II is crowned Queen of the United Kingdon and the Commonwealth realms on February 6, 1952.
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1952
Jonas Salk develops the polio vaccine
July 2, 1952
Jonas Salk develops the polio vaccine
Jonas Salk develops the polio vaccine in 1952.
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1953
Dwight D. Eisenhower is elected
January 20, 1953
Dwight D. Eisenhower is elected
Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes the 34th President of the United States (1953-1961).
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1954
Segregation banned in public school
May 17, 1954
Segregation banned in public school
In its ruling on Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court bans racial segregation in public schools on May 17, 1954.
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1955
Montgomery Bus Boycott
December 1, 1955
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat to a white passenger on a public bus in Montgomery, Alabama. The Montgomery Bus Boycott follows.
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1957
Russia launches Sputnik
October 4, 1957
Russia launches Sputnik
On October 4, 1957, Russia launches Sputnik, the first artificial Earth satellite.
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1958
Eisenhower sends troops to Little Rock
September 24, 1958
Eisenhower sends troops to Little Rock
President Dwight D. Eisenhower sends troops to Little Rock, Arkansas on September 24, 1958 to deal with the Crisis at Central High.
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1959
Alaska and Hawaii become states
January 3, 1959
Alaska and Hawaii become states
In 1959, Alaska and Hawaii become the 49th and 50th states.
-
1961
John F. Kennedy becomes President
January 20, 1961
John F. Kennedy becomes President
John F. Kennedy becomes the 35th President of the United States (1961-1963).
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1961
East Germany erects the Berlin Wall
August 13, 1961
East Germany erects the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany) starting on August 13, 1961, that completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin.
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1962
Vatican II is opened
October 11, 1962
Vatican II is opened
The Second Vatican Council, addressing relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world, is opened by Pope John XXIII on October 11, 1962 and closed under Pope Paul VI on December 8, 1965.
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1962
Cuban Missile Crisis ends
November 20, 1962
Cuban Missile Crisis ends
After a period of tense negotiations, the Cuban Missile Crisis ends when Russia withdraws its missiles from Cuba on November 20, 1962.
-
1963
The Feminine Mystique published
February 19, 1963
The Feminine Mystique published
Betty’s Friedan’s, The Feminine Mystique, is published on February 19, 1963 and re-energizes the Women’s Movement in the United States.
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1963
“I Have A Dream” speech
August 28, 1963
“I Have A Dream” speech
Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers the “I Have A Dream” speech to 250,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It proves to be a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement.
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1963
JFK is assassinated
November 22, 1963
JFK is assassinated
John F. Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963. Vice President Lyndon Johnson assumes the presidency after JFK's death.
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1964
Hard Day’s Night tops the charts
June 26, 1964
Hard Day’s Night tops the charts
The Beatles’ fourth album, Hard Day’s Night, is released in America on June 26, 1964 and tops the Billboard music charts.
-
1965
U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam
March 8, 1965
U.S. combat troops arrive in Vietnam
In response to the Gulf of Tonkin incident in August 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson decides to escalate the Vietnam Conflict by sending U.S. ground troops to Vietnam. On March 8, 1965, 3500 U.S. Marines land near Da Nang in South Vietnam, becoming the first U.S. troops to arrive in Vietnam.
-
1969
Apollo astronauts walk on the moon
July 20, 1969
Apollo astronauts walk on the moon
Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin from Apollo 11 become the first men to walk on the moon on July 20, 1969.
-
1970
Kent State massacre
May 4, 1970
Kent State massacre
During an anti-Vietnam protest at Kent State University in Ohio, four unarmed students are killed by the Ohio National Guard on May 4, 1970.
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1971
26th Amendment lowers voting age to 18
July 1, 1971
26th Amendment lowers voting age to 18
The 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution lowers the legal voting age to 18. It was adopted in response to student activism against the Vietnam War and to partially overrule the Supreme Court's decision in Oregon v. Mitchell.
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1972
Ms. magazine debuts
January 1, 1972
Ms. magazine debuts
Gloria Steinem’s Ms. magazine debuts in January 1972 with its first stand-alone issue.
-
1975
The Vietnam War ends
April 30, 1975
The Vietnam War ends
The Vietnam War ends on April 30, 1975 with the capture of Saigon by the Vietnam People's Army.
-
1976
American Bicentennial is celebrated
July 4, 1976
American Bicentennial is celebrated
The American Bicentennial is celebrated across the nation on July 4, 1976.
-
1977
Rosalyn Yalow wins Nobel Prize
December 10, 1977
Rosalyn Yalow wins Nobel Prize
Rosalyn Yalow wins Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1977 for her role in devising blood screening techniques.
-
1978
Women surpass men in college admission
September 1, 1978
Women surpass men in college admission
For the first time in history, more women enter college than men in 1978.
-
1978
John Paul II becomes Pope
October 16, 1978
John Paul II becomes Pope
John Paul II becomes Pope on October 16, 1978 and reigns until his death in 2005. He is the second-longest serving Pope in history and the first non-Italian since 1523.
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1979
Mother Teresa wins Nobel Peace Prize
December 10, 1979
Mother Teresa wins Nobel Peace Prize
Mother Teresa of Calcutta wins Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
-
1980
Ronald Reagan is elected
November 4, 1980
Ronald Reagan is elected
Ronald Reagan becomes 40th President of the United States (1981-1989).
-
1981
Hostages freed by Iran
January 20, 1981
Hostages freed by Iran
On January 20, 1981, 52 American hostages are freed by Iran after being held for a total of 444 days.
-
1981
First woman on U.S. Supreme Court
September 21, 1981
First woman on U.S. Supreme Court
Sandra Day O’Connor becomes first woman on U.S. Supreme Court on September 21, 1981 after she is appointed by Ronald Reagan.
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1983
First woman in space
June 18, 1983
First woman in space
On June 18, 1983, Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space on the Challenger space shuttle.
-
1984
Apple introduces the Macintosh
January 24, 1984
Apple introduces the Macintosh
Apple introduces the first Macintosh computer on January 24, 1984. It becomes the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and graphical user interface.
-
1984
First female candidate for Vice President
July 12, 1984
First female candidate for Vice President
Walter Mondale selects Geraldine Ferraro to be the first female candidate for Vice President on July 12, 1984.
-
1985
Scientists discover hole in the ozone layer
May 1, 1985
Scientists discover hole in the ozone layer
Joe Farman, Brian Gardiner, and Jonathan Shanklin first announce the discovery of the depletion of ozone above the Antarctic in Nature in May 1985.
-
1986
Space Shuttle Challenger explodes
January 28, 1986
Space Shuttle Challenger explodes
The Space Shuttle Challenger explodes on launch, killing 7 crew members on January 28, 1986.
-
1989
Fall of the Berlin Wall
November 9, 1989
Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall starts to fall on November 9, 1989, signaling the beginning of the end of communism in Europe.
-
1990
Nelson Mandela freed
February 11, 1990
Nelson Mandela freed
Nelson Mandela is freed from prison in South Africa after 27 years.
-
1990
Iron Curtain Rebellion
July 1, 1990
Iron Curtain Rebellion
Iron Curtain countries rebel against the communist form of government.
-
1991
Gulf War
January 17, 1991
Gulf War
The United States, backed by the United Nations, declares war on Iraq on January 17, 1991 in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.
-
1992
Bill Clinton is elected
November 6, 1992
Bill Clinton is elected
William Jefferson Clinton becomes 42nd President of the United States (1993-2001).
-
1994
English Channel tunnel opens
May 6, 1994
English Channel tunnel opens
The "Chunnel", a rail tunnel under the English Channel connected England and France, opens on May 6, 1994.
-
1995
Oklahoma City bombing
April 19, 1995
Oklahoma City bombing
On April 19, 1995, a terrorist bomb attack against the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City kills 168 people.
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1997
Comet Hale-Bopp
April 1, 1997
Comet Hale-Bopp
Comet Hale-Bopp reaches its perihelion and is widely viewed.
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1999
The Euro is introduced
January 1, 1999
The Euro is introduced
The Euro is launched January 1, 1999.
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2000
George W. Bush is elected
November 6, 2000
George W. Bush is elected
George W. Bush becomes 43rd President of the United States (2001-2009).
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2001
September 11 attacks
September 11, 2001
September 11 attacks
On September 11, a terrorist attack destroys the World Trade Center buildings in New York City.
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2003
Human Genome Project
April 14, 2003
Human Genome Project
On April 14, 2003, the Human Genome Project is completed with 99% of the human genome sequenced to 99.99% accuracy.
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2004
Facebook launches
February 4, 2004
Facebook launches
On February 4, 2004, Mark Zuckerberg launches "Thefacebook" for students at Harvard. This social media website evolves into Facebook and becomes available to the general public.
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2005
Hurricane Katrina
August 23, 2005
Hurricane Katrina
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroys the southern gulf coast, causing enormous death and destruction in New Orleans, Louisiana and environs.
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2006
Blizzard of 2006
February 11, 2006
Blizzard of 2006
New York City gets over 2 feet of snow in the Blizzard of 2006--the most since at least 1869, when record keeping began.
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2007
First iPhone; Final Harry Potter book
July 21, 2007
First iPhone; Final Harry Potter book
The first generation iPhone becomes available in January, and the final book in the Harry Potter series is released in July and sells over 11 million copies in the first 24 hours.
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2008
Barack Obama is elected
November 6, 2008
Barack Obama is elected
Barack Obama becomes the 44th President of the United States and the first African-American to hold that position (2009-present).
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2009
Hudson River landing
January 15, 2009
Hudson River landing
On January 15, 2009, a US Airways aircraft's engine is disabled by a flock of birds and the plane successfully lands in the Hudson River. All 155 passengers are safely evacuated.
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2011
Osama Bin Laden is killed
May 1, 2011
Osama Bin Laden is killed
Osama Bin Laden is killed by American military forces on May 1, and the last convoy of U.S. soldiers are pulled out of Iraq that December.
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2012
Encyclopedia Britannica print edition ends
July 3, 2012
Encyclopedia Britannica print edition ends
The Encyclopedia Britannica discontinues its print edition after 244 years on July 3, 2012.