Looking back here a few instances of things that have made a lasting impact on our culture and lifestyle of today.
There are many things in history that shape our views and values for generations, if not centuries ahead. Looking back here a few instances of things that have made a lasting impact on our culture and lifestyle of today. This is a peek in on the beginning of some of the things we take for granted every day.
10. The Magna Carta
Simply stated, the Magna Carta was a document written in 1215 that did not limit the King of England’s powers, but instead made him accountable to the law. This is one of the first examples of government, particularly a monarchy, being held to a standard by the people. Without this document, habeas corpus would not have come about. This is what only keeps me in jail over the weekend and not indefinitely without charges.
9. Communism in China
In 1927 the Chinese Communist Party was founded. How does this affect us today? I dunno, how about 1.3 Billion (yeah with a capitol “B”) all under one flag? That’s pretty impressive when you consider our family of 3(me & parents) can’t decide on dinner some nights.
8. The Treaty of Paris
The American Revolution marked the beginning of the end of imperialism in the world. Though it could be argued that imperialistic government reigned another 100 years or so, this is monumental is size and scope.
7. The Printing of the Gutenberg Bible
Before 1452 all print presses were painstaking affairs and just not practical. Most books were hand copied and thus vulnerable to mistakes being made. Books were rare, but the invention of the print press with movable type by Gutenberg changed that and the Bible he printed helped spread Christianity even further.6. The Invention of Plumbing
The Romans might have conquered a vast portion of the world, but it was their need for cleanliness and order that left their marks on the these times. The roads have faded, and a majority of their far flung monuments have long since vanished, but fittingly enough, their cisterns and aqueducts remain.
5. Penicillin
November 26, 1941, penicillin was perfected. By the time the war was in full swing prices dropped from $20 a dose to $2.0 a dose. With a viable way to fight infection, millions of lives were saved.
4. First Written Text
The Sumerians from ca. 3000 BCE are credited with the first standardized written language. The idea was to help in government and with keeping tally on the public coffers and with tribute. So yes, wealth is the root of all evil, but most likely the root of writing as well. Oddly enough, this form of writing looks a lot like my own handwriting. Hmm. Maybe I am a Sumarien! I’d rather be a Cimmerian, but never mind.
3. Flight
The first manned flight was reported to have taken place in Paris in Paris by Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d’Arlandes in 1783. Another 120 years passed before the Wright brother, Orville and Wilbur made their historical heavier than air powered flight in Kittyhawk, NC.
2. The Bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki
On August 6, 1945 the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima and August 9th on Nagasaki. The first nuclear test was held months before the first bomb was dropped on human beings. This was the first use of a true “super weapon” and forever changed how we view ourselves and each other.
1. The Invention of the Telephone
It puts the “tele” in telecommunications. Telephones, and consequently telephone lines have no doubt established more to bring the world together than anything else. Why? Without it we’d still be getting mail 3 weeks late , but we also would most likely get through eating diner without interruptions. So there is some good with the bad.
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