400 BCE
Democritus Proposes Atomism
Greek philosopher Democritus theorizes that matter is composed of indivisible particles called atoms. #philosophy #science
Chronological Storyline (44 Milestones)
1649 CE
Pierre Gassendi Revives Atomism
French philosopher Pierre Gassendi revives and promotes atomic theory, influencing later scientific thought. #philosophy #science
By Louis-Édouard Rioult - Œuvres complètes de Voltaire – le siècle de Louis XIV, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1478315
1789 CE
Uranium Discovered by Klaproth
German chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth discovers uranium, a key element for future nuclear research. #chemistry #science
By Unspecified - https://web.archive.org/web/20050829231403/http://web.em.doe.gov/takstock/phochp3a.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2287275
Nov 8, 1895 CE
Röntgen Discovers X-Rays
Wilhelm Röntgen discovers X-rays, leading to new radiation studies. #physics #science
By Erwin Hanfstaengl - https://global.museum-digital.org/singleimage?imagenr=2399678, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=182243188
Mar 1, 1896 CE
Becquerel Discovers Radioactivity
Henri Becquerel accidentally discovers radioactivity from uranium salts. #physics #science
By Paul Nadar / Adam Cuerden - This file comes from Gallica Digital Library and is available under the digital ID btv1b532297273/f1, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=120421283
Jul 1, 1898 CE
Curies Discover Polonium and Radium
Marie and Pierre Curie isolate polonium and radium, pioneering radioactivity research. #physics #science
By Henri Manuel - cdn-images-1.medium.com, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61396200
1899 CE
Rutherford Discovers Alpha and Beta Rays
Ernest Rutherford identifies alpha and beta radiation types. #physics #science
By Bain News Service, publisher Restored by: Bammesk - Library of Congress Catalog: https://lccn.loc.gov/2014716719 Image download: https://cdn.loc.gov/service/pnp/ggbain/36500/36570v.jpg Original url: https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2014716719/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=112190894
1900 CE
Villard Discovers Gamma Rays
Paul Villard discovers gamma rays, a high-energy electromagnetic radiation. #physics #science
By Inductiveload, changes by Habitator terrae - File:Gamma Decay.svg, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=82909738
1903 CE
Rutherford and Soddy Formulate Decay Theory
Rutherford and Frederick Soddy propose that radioactivity involves atomic transmutation. #physics #science
By Kjerish - This image has been extracted from another file, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=54378478
1905 CE
Einstein's Mass-Energy Equivalence
Albert Einstein publishes E=mc², linking mass and energy. #physics #science
By NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) - HubbleSite: gallery, release., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=102873
1911 CE
Rutherford Discovers Atomic Nucleus
Rutherford's gold foil experiment reveals the atomic nucleus. #physics #science
1913 CE
Bohr Model of the Atom
Niels Bohr proposes a quantum model of the atom with electron shells. #physics #science
By JabberWok at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2639910
1919 CE
Rutherford Achieves First Artificial Nuclear Reaction
Rutherford transmutes nitrogen into oxygen using alpha particles. #physics #science
By Sakurambo - Own work based on: Li6-D Reaction.png, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2096742
Feb 27, 1932 CE
Chadwick Discovers the Neutron
James Chadwick discovers the neutron, enabling nuclear chain reactions. #physics #science
By No machine-readable author provided. Harp assumed (based on copyright claims). - No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=637381
1932 CE
Cockcroft and Walton Split the Atom
John Cockcroft and Ernest Walton use a particle accelerator to split lithium atoms. #physics #science
By Kestrel - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62252362
1934 CE
Fermi's Neutron Bombardment Experiments
Enrico Fermi bombards uranium with neutrons, producing transuranic elements. #physics #science
By Department of Energy-Office of Public Affairs, restored by Yann - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=156854
1934 CE
Curie and Joliot Discover Artificial Radioactivity
Irène Joliot-Curie and Frédéric Joliot produce artificial radioactive elements. #physics #science
Dec 17, 1938 CE
Hahn and Strassmann Discover Nuclear Fission
Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann discover nuclear fission of uranium. #physics #science
By Created by Fastfission in Illustrator. The SVG code is valid. This vector image was created with a text editor. Please do not replace the simplified code of this file with a version created with Inkscape or any other graphical vector graphics editor - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=486924
Jan 1, 1939 CE
Meitner and Frisch Explain Fission
Lise Meitner and Otto Frisch provide the theoretical explanation of nuclear fission. #physics #science
By Harris & Ewing - https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/nobel-prize-winners-laureates-charts-graphics-science, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=159322196
Dec 2, 1942 CE
Chicago Pile-1: First Nuclear Reactor
Enrico Fermi's team achieves the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction. #physics #science
By Melvin A. Miller of the Argonne National Laboratory - http://narademo.umiacs.umd.edu/cgi-bin/isadg/viewobject.pl?object=95120, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8147703
Jul 16, 1945 CE
Trinity Test: First Atomic Bomb
The US detonates the first atomic bomb in New Mexico. #history #science )
By Jack W. Aeby, July 16, 1945, Civilian worker at Los Alamos laboratory, working under the aegis of the Manhattan Project. - This image comes from the Google-hosted LIFE Photo Archive where it is available under the filename 96ad5a9a5c94664e. This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See the copyright section in the template documentation for more information., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=140895
Aug 6, 1945 CE
Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima
The US drops 'Little Boy' on Hiroshima, Japan. #history #war
By George R. Caron / Charles Levy - Nagasakibomb.jpg Atomic_cloud_over_Hiroshima.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12204929
Aug 9, 1945 CE
Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki
The US drops 'Fat Man' on Nagasaki, Japan. #history #war
1946 CE
First Soviet Nuclear Reactor
The Soviet Union starts its first nuclear reactor, F-1. #physics #science )
By Prihodko / Борис Приходько - RIA Novosti archive, image #500897, http://visualrian.ru/ru/site/gallery/#500897 35 mm slide / 35 мм слайд, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16787176
Aug 29, 1949 CE
Soviet Atomic Bomb Test
The Soviet Union tests its first atomic bomb, RDS-1. #history #science
Dec 20, 1951 CE
First Nuclear Power Plant: EBR-I
Experimental Breeder Reactor I generates electricity from nuclear energy. #energy #science
By Orange Suede Sofa - Own work by the original uploader, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52391609
Nov 1, 1952 CE
First Hydrogen Bomb Test: Ivy Mike
The US tests the first thermonuclear device. #history #science
By USDE - Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=129318165
Aug 12, 1953 CE
Soviet Hydrogen Bomb Test
The Soviet Union tests its first hydrogen bomb. #history #science
By Ayack - Adapted from Image:W-88 warhead detail.png, work of Dan Stober and Ian Hoffman, modified by Howard Morland. The unmodified drawing is available online at Howard Morland's "The Holocaust Bomb: A Question of Time"., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4254760
Jun 27, 1954 CE
First Nuclear Power Plant Connected to Grid: Obninsk
The Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant in the USSR begins supplying electricity. #energy #science
By Pavel Bykov / Павел Быков - RIA Novosti archive, image #409173, http://visualrian.ru/ru/site/gallery/#409173 Digital / Цифра, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16787574
Sep 30, 1954 CE
USS Nautilus: First Nuclear Submarine
The US Navy commissions the first nuclear-powered submarine. #military #science )
By USN official photo # 199068 - Navsource.org, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6581498
Oct 17, 1956 CE
Calder Hall: First Commercial Nuclear Power Station
The UK's Calder Hall opens, the world's first commercial nuclear power plant. #energy #science
By UK government agencies - https://nda.blog.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/165/2019/09/Calder-Request-002.jpgDesc: https://nda.blog.gov.uk/tag/sellafield-ltd/, OGL 3, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=82153599
Jul 29, 1957 CE
IAEA Established
The International Atomic Energy Agency is founded to promote peaceful nuclear use. #politics #science
By International Atomic Energy Agency: IAEA emblem Derivative Work: Jesuiseduardo - Documents and Website of the IAEA, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74753124
Oct 10, 1957 CE
Windscale Fire: Major Nuclear Accident
A fire at the Windscale nuclear plant in the UK releases radioactive material. #disaster #science
By Chris Eaton - From geograph.org.uk; transferred by User:Fintan264 using geograph_org2commons., CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7938406
1960 CE
First Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier: USS Enterprise
The US Navy launches the USS Enterprise, the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. #military #science )
By U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Rob Gaston - This image was released by the United States Navy with the ID 040614-N-0119G-020 (next). This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing. العربية ∙ বাংলা ∙ Bahasa Indonesia ∙ Bahaso Jambi ∙ Deutsch ∙ Deutsch (Sie-Form) ∙ English ∙ español ∙ euskara ∙ فارسی ∙ français ∙ italiano ∙ 日本語 ∙ 한국어 ∙ македонски ∙ മലയാളം ∙ Plattdüütsch ∙ Nederlands ∙ polski ∙ پښتو ∙ português ∙ русский ∙ slovenščina ∙ svenska ∙ Türkçe ∙ українська ∙ 简体中文 ∙ 繁體中文 ∙ +/−, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5554363
Aug 5, 1963 CE
Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
The US, UK, and USSR ban nuclear tests in the atmosphere, underwater, and in space. #politics #science
By Allstar86 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4416580
Jul 1, 1968 CE
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Signed
The NPT is opened for signature to prevent spread of nuclear weapons. #politics #science
By File:NPT Participation.svg: Allstar86, L.tak, Danlaycock derivative work: Danlaycock - This file was derived from: NPT Participation.svg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31123238
1970 CE
First Nuclear Power Plant in India: Tarapur
India's Tarapur Atomic Power Station begins operation. #energy #science
By Department of Atomic Energy - This file or its source was published by Press Information Bureau on behalf of Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India under the ID 8706 and CNR 12180. (direct link) This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing. العربية ∙ বাংলা ∙ Deutsch ∙ English ∙ हिन्दी ∙ 日本語 ∙ македонски ∙ മലയാളം ∙ polski ∙ தமிழ் ∙ ತುಳು ∙ 中文 ∙ 中文（简体） ∙ 中文（繁體） ∙ +/−, GODL-India, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=71558445
Mar 28, 1979 CE
Three Mile Island Accident
A partial meltdown at the Three Mile Island plant in the US. #disaster #science
By United States Department of Energy - http://ma.mbe.doe.gov/me70/history/photos.htm Copyright status: Identified on DOE page as "DOE photo", i.e. not copyrighted., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1111348
Apr 26, 1986 CE
Chernobyl Disaster
A catastrophic nuclear accident in Ukraine releases massive radiation. #disaster #science
By IAEA Imagebank - 02790015, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63251598
Nov 9, 1991 CE
JET Achieves First Controlled Fusion Power
The Joint European Torus produces 1.7 MW of fusion power. #energy #science
Sep 24, 1996 CE
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Opened
The CTBT bans all nuclear explosions, though not yet in force. #politics #science
By derivative work: Allstar86 (talk) BlankMap-World6,_compact.svg: Canuckguy et al. - BlankMap-World6,_compact.svg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4376156
Nov 21, 2006 CE
ITER Agreement Signed
International partners sign the ITER fusion reactor agreement. #energy #science
By Rfassbind - Own work., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32503440
Mar 11, 2011 CE
Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster
A tsunami causes meltdowns at the Fukushima plant in Japan. #disaster #science
By Digital Globe - Earthquake and Tsunami damage-Dai Ichi Power Plant, Japan, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14630274
Dec 5, 2022 CE
NIF Achieves Fusion Ignition
The US National Ignition Facility achieves net energy gain in fusion. #energy #science
By Lawrence Livermore National Security - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19898650