65000000 BCE
War in Heaven
The Old Ones fight a devastating war against the C'tan and the Necrontyr, leading to the destruction of many species and the rise of the Necrons. #warhammer40k #lore
Chronological Storyline (45 Milestones)
60000000 BCE
Birth of the Aeldari
The Aeldari (Eldar) rise as a dominant species after the War in Heaven, creating a vast empire and exploring the galaxy. #warhammer40k #lore
25000000 BCE
Krorks Evolve into Orks
The Krorks, created by the Old Ones, devolve into the Orks after the War in Heaven, becoming a widespread fungal race. #warhammer40k #lore
15000000 BCE
Rise of the Necrons
The Necrontyr transfer their consciousness into living metal bodies, becoming the Necrons, and go into hibernation. #warhammer40k #lore
5000000 BCE
Fall of the Aeldari Empire
The Aeldari's decadence leads to the birth of the Chaos God Slaanesh, destroying their empire and creating the Eye of Terror. #warhammer40k #lore
1000000 BCE
Age of Strife Begins
Humanity's Golden Age ends as warp storms isolate worlds, leading to technological regression and chaos. #warhammer40k #lore
800000 BCE
Old Ones Create Webway
The ancient Old Ones create the Webway, a network of tunnels through the Warp, to facilitate travel across the galaxy. #warhammer40k #lore
By Ken O - http://www.fingmonkey.com/2011/10/games-workshop-altamonte.html, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81476873
750000 BCE
Birth of the Emperor
The Emperor of Mankind is born on Earth, a powerful psyker destined to unite humanity. #warhammer40k #lore
300000 BCE
Unification Wars Begin
The Emperor begins the Unification Wars on Terra, conquering techno-barbarian tribes and uniting Earth. #warhammer40k #lore
200000 BCE
Creation of the Primarchs
The Emperor creates the twenty Primarchs using his own genetic material, but they are scattered across the galaxy by the Chaos Gods. #warhammer40k #lore
150000 BCE
Great Crusade Launched
The Emperor launches the Great Crusade to reunite humanity's lost colonies, led by the Primarchs and Space Marines. #warhammer40k #lore
By Unknown U.S. Army photographer - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID cph.3a26521.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=1412237
100000 BCE
Discovery of Horus
The Emperor finds Horus on Cthonia, making him the first Primarch found and Warmaster of the Imperium. #warhammer40k #lore
50000 BCE
Council of Nikaea
The Emperor restricts the use of psychic powers among the Legiones Astartes, causing resentment among the Thousand Sons. #warhammer40k #lore
30000 BCE
Horus Heresy Begins
Horus, corrupted by Chaos, launches a rebellion against the Emperor, starting the Horus Heresy. #warhammer40k #lore
25000 BCE
Drop Site Massacre
The traitor Legions ambush loyalist forces at Isstvan V, decimating the Raven Guard, Iron Hands, and Salamanders. #warhammer40k #lore
20000 BCE
Siege of Terra Begins
Horus's forces lay siege to the Imperial Palace on Terra, the final battle of the Horus Heresy. #warhammer40k #lore
19000 BCE
Death of Horus
The Emperor confronts Horus aboard his flagship, killing him but suffering mortal wounds. #warhammer40k #lore
18999 BCE
Emperor Interred on Golden Throne
The Emperor is placed on the Golden Throne to sustain his life and power the Astronomican. #warhammer40k #lore
18000 BCE
Second Founding
The loyalist Legions are broken into Chapters to prevent another Heresy, creating the Codex Astartes. #warhammer40k #lore
15000 BCE
War of the Beast
A massive Ork WAAAGH! threatens the Imperium, nearly destroying the Imperial Fists. #warhammer40k #lore
10000 BCE
Age of Apostasy
The Ecclesiarchy becomes corrupt, leading to the Reign of Blood and the rise of Sebastian Thor. #warhammer40k #lore
5000 BCE
Nova Terra Interregnum
A rival Imperium is established on Nova Terra, causing a schism that lasts for centuries. #warhammer40k #lore
1000 BCE
First War for Armageddon
Chaos forces led by Angron invade Armageddon, but are repelled by the Space Wolves and Grey Knights. #warhammer40k #lore
500 BCE
Gothic War
Abaddon the Despoiler launches the 12th Black Crusade, attacking the Gothic Sector. #warhammer40k #lore
100 BCE
Tyrannic Wars Begin
The Tyranids are first encountered, beginning a series of devastating invasions. #warhammer40k #lore
0 CE
Current Era Begins
The 41st millennium officially begins, marked by the Imperium's constant warfare. #warhammer40k #lore
100 CE
Battle of Macragge
The Tyranids attack the Ultramarines' homeworld, but are defeated by Marneus Calgar. #warhammer40k #lore
200 CE
Second War for Armageddon
Ghazghkull Thraka leads a massive Ork invasion of Armageddon. #warhammer40k #lore
300 CE
Third War for Armageddon
Ghazghkull returns, leading to a brutal conflict that ends in a stalemate. #warhammer40k #lore
400 CE
13th Black Crusade
Abaddon launches the 13th Black Crusade, breaking the Cadian Gate and destroying Cadia. #warhammer40k #lore
401 CE
Fall of Cadia
Cadia is destroyed by Abaddon's forces, creating the Great Rift that splits the galaxy. #warhammer40k #lore
402 CE
Indomitus Crusade Begins
Roboute Guilliman returns and launches the Indomitus Crusade to stabilize the Imperium. #warhammer40k #lore
403 CE
Battle of Raukos
Guilliman defeats the Death Guard and secures the Raukos system. #warhammer40k #lore
404 CE
Plague Wars
The forces of Nurgle invade Ultramar, leading to a devastating conflict. #warhammer40k #lore
405 CE
Psychic Awakening
A galaxy-wide surge in psychic activity occurs, empowering psykers and awakening the Necrons. #warhammer40k #lore
406 CE
Pariah Nexus
The Necrons create the Pariah Nexus, a region of space that suppresses the Warp. #warhammer40k #lore
407 CE
Arks of Omen
Abaddon unleashes the Arks of Omen, massive warships that ravage the galaxy. #warhammer40k #lore
408 CE
Return of the Lion
Lion El'Jonson, Primarch of the Dark Angels, awakens and returns to the Imperium. #warhammer40k #lore
409 CE
4th Tyrannic War
A new Tyranid hive fleet, Leviathan, launches a massive invasion. #warhammer40k #lore
410 CE
Battle of Baal
The Tyranids attack the Blood Angels' homeworld, but are repelled with help from Guilliman. #warhammer40k #lore
411 CE
War of the Spider
The Imperium attacks the Webway to strike at the Aeldari. #warhammer40k #lore
412 CE
Shield of Baal
The Imperium fortifies Baal against future Tyranid attacks. #warhammer40k #lore
413 CE
Dawn of Fire
A new era of Imperial expansion begins under Guilliman's leadership. #warhammer40k #lore
414 CE
The Great Work
Cawl begins the Primaris Space Marine project, creating enhanced Marines. #warhammer40k #lore
415 CE
The End and the Death
The final battle of the Horus Heresy is depicted in detail, revealing the Emperor's final fate. #warhammer40k #lore