The very first Wimbledon Championship was in 1877 when it was watched by some 200 spectators.There were 22 competitors and the championship was won by Spencer Gore.

British Player Greg Rusedski has the world’s fastest serve, clocked at a staggering 149 mph. In 1999 he served 685 aces.

Slazenger has provided every tennis ball for The Championships Wimbledon since 1902.

Pete Sampras is the tennis world’s record breaker. He has now won 12 Grand Slam titles and his tennis career has earned him in excess of £38 Million. Sampras has won Wimbledon 6 times, just one behind the current record holder William Renshaw (1881-1889). He also holds the record for the longest unbroken run. Between June and August last year he won 24 matches in succession.

 Boris Becker is another tennis record breaker. In 1985 he became the youngest , the 1st German and the 1st unseeded player to ever win Wimbledon.

Along with Don Budge, Fred Perry and Roy Emerson, American Andre Agassi is one of only a handful of players to have won all four Grand Slam titles, the first player to achieve this feat for 31 years.

Monica Seles is a partner in the All-Star Café, a sports restaurant chain, with athletes Andre Agassi, Tiger Woods, & Joe Montana.

In Wimbledon, women’s singles and men’s doubles events began seven years later, in 1884.

May Sutton of the United States became the first non-European champion in 1905 when she captured the women’s singles title.

American Althea Gibson became the first black player to win a Wimbledon singles championship when she captured the title in 1957.

Charlotte (Lottie) Dod became the youngest player ever to win a Wimbledon singles event when, in 1887, she won at the age of 15 years, 285 days.

In 1996 Martina Hingis became a Wimbledon doubles champion at 15 years, 282 days.

Pen names
Barbara Michaels (Barbara Mertz)
Daniel Defoe (Daniel Foe)
George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans)
George Orwell (Eric Arthur Blair)
J. K. Rowling (Joanne Rowling)
Jean Paul (Johann Paul Friedrich Richter)
Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson)
Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens)
Mary Westmacott (Agatha Christie)
O. Henry (William Sydney Porter)
Jean Ray (Jean Raymond Marie de Kremer)
Vernon Sullivan (Boris Vian)
Umberto Saba (Umberto Poli)
Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet)
Yukio Mishima (Kimitake Hiraoka)

Politicians
Che Guevara (Ernesto Rafael Guevara de la Serna)
Ho Chi Minh (Nguyễn Sinh Cung)
Joseph Estrada (Joseph Marcelo Ejército)
Joseph Stalin (Iosif Vissarionovich Djugashvili)
Josip Tito (Josip Broz)
Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão (José Alexandre Gusmão)
Kim Il Sung (Kim Song Ju)
Tariq Aziz (Michael Yuhanna)
Vladimir Lenin (Vladimir Ilich Ulyanov)

Religion
Osho (Rajneesh Chandra Mohan)
Sathya Sai Baba (Sathya Narayana Raju)
Mother Teresa of Calcutta (Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu)
Swami Vivekananda (Narendranath Dutta)

Stage names
Alice Cooper (Vincent Damon Furnier)
Anne Bancroft (Anna Maria Italiano)
Billy Idol (William Michael Albert Broad)
Bob Dylan (Robert Zimmerman)
Cat Stevens (Stephen Demetre Georgiou, later Yusuf Islam)
David Copperfield (David Seth Kotkin)
Dharmendra (Dharam Singh Deol)
Dilip Kumar (Yusuf Khan)
Donna Summer (LaDonna Andrea Gaines)
Elton John (Reginald Kenneth Dwight)
Eminem (Marshall Mathers III)
Eric Clapton (Eric Clapp)
Garry Moore (Thomas Garrison Morfit)
Harry Houdini (Ehrich Weiss)
Jamie Foxx (Eric Bishop)
Jean-Claude Van Damme (Jean-Claude Camille François Van Varenberg)
John Denver (Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr.)
Kishore Kumar (Abhas Ganguly)
Louis Armstrong (Daniel Louis Armstrong)
Mariah Carey (Maria Nuñez)
Marilyn Manson (Brian Warner)
Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jean Mortenson, later Norma Jean Baker)
Meena Kumari (Mahjabeen Bano)
Meg Ryan (Margaret Mary Emily Ann Hyra)
Ozzy Osbourne (John Osbourne)
Paul McCartney (James Paul McCartney)
Pink (Alecia Moore)
Ray Charles (Ray Charles Robinson)
Shania Twain (Eileen Regina Edwards, later Eileen Regina Twain)
Sid Vicious (John Simon Ritche; Later John Beverly)
Stevie Wonder (Steveland Morris)
Tom Cruise (Thomas Cruise Mapother IV)

Sportspeople
Cafú (Marcos Evangelista de Moraes)
Deco (Anderson Luiz de Sousa)
Garrincha (Manuel Francisco dos Santos)
Garry Kasparov (Gari Weinstein)
Kaká (Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite)
Muhammad Ali (Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.)
Pelé (Edson Arantes do Nascimento)
Rivaldo (Vitor Borba Ferreira)
Ronaldinho (Ronaldo de Assis Moreira)

Wars of the Hapsburg Empire (Austria Hungary) from 1815 to 1918

Revolution of 1848 (1848-1849)-Austrian government and Russia against anti-monarchist rebels and Czech and Hungarian nationalist rebels. The revolutionary fervor also led to the Italian War of Independence (1848-1849) . BELOW

Italian War of Independence (1848-1849)-Italian revolutionaries in Venice, along with the Italian States of Piedmont, Naples and, briefly, Papal State fought against the Austrian Hapsburg Empire. The Italian forces were divided and defeated by August of 1849.

Franco-Austrian War (1858-1860)-France and Piedmont against the Austrian Hapsburg Empire.

Schleswig-Holstein War (1864)-Austria and Prussia crushed Denmark.

The Seven Weeks’ War(1866)-Italy and Prussia against the Austrian Hapsburg Empire.

Annexation of Bosnia-Hercegovina (1878)-Peaceful and internationally accepted occupation of Slavic region previously controlled by the Turks. Beginning of prolonged tension with Russia and Serbia. Leading factor in the outbreak of World War I.

Provincial Revolt (1882)

World War I (1914-1918)-Last war of the Hapsburg Empire.

Wars of the Russian Empire from 1815 to 1918
Russian Conquest of Central Asia and the Far East (Ongoing)

Decembrist Uprising (1825)-Short-lived military revolt.

Russo-Persian War (1826-1828)-Russia defeated Persia and acquired parts of Armenia.

Russo-Turkish War (1828-1829)-Russia defeated the Ottoman Turks. Related to the Greek War of Independence.

Polish Revolution (1830-1831)-Russian-ruled Poland rebelled and was crushed. Inspired by 1830 Paris Revolution.

The Crimean War ( 1853-1856)-Britain, France, the Ottoman Empire and Sardinia against Russia.

Second Polish Revolution (1863-1864)-Poland rebels waged a mostly guerrilla war. Rebellion defeated.

Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878)-Caused by Turkish problems with Slavic Balkan states. Treaty of San Stefano guaranteed independence from Turkey for Serbia, Montenegro, Rumania and autonomy for Bulgaria. Russia received land in the Caucasus region.

Boxer Rebellion (1900)-Involved Britain, France, Germany, Russia, the United States, Japan, Italy, and Austria-Hungary against “Boxer” rebels in China as well as against the Chinese government. Gave Russia an opportunity to occupy Manchuria, which led in part to the Russo-Japanese War.

Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)-Russia soundly defeated by Japan.

Russian Revolution of 1905 (1905-1906)-Popular uprising against the Czarist government. Harshly suppressed by the army.

World War I (1914-1918)-Last war of the Czarist Russian Empire prior to the Bolshevik (Communist) Revolution.

French Wars In Italy This series of wars, part of the ongoing Hapsburg-Valois Wars, involved repeated French invasions of Italy, which at the time consisted of several smaller states and kingdoms. Italy was really little more than a battleground for the two most powerful empires in Europe at that time: France and the Hapsburg Empire, which controlled Austria, Spain, the Netherlands and other areas.
Naples-Fornovo (1492-1497)

Milan (1499-1500)

Naples-Gaeta (1500-1504)

Revenna-Novara (1508-1513)

Marignano (1515-1516)

Anglo-French Wars-Wars between England (also known as Great Britain or the United Kingdom), and France.
Norman Invasion of England, (1066) -William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy and a vassal of the French king, conquered the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of England, and made himself King of England. Resulting from this, the English and French royal families would fight many bloody wars trying to settle who was supposed to rule what. William’s family acquired lands throughout France and ruled them as Englishmen, which really upset the French kings. This is a pretty watered-down, basic description of this rivalry, but these two nations have fought many, many wars, and William’s conquest of England was the starting point for many of the earlier ones.

Anglo-French War, (1109-1113)

Anglo-French War, (1116-1119)

Anglo-French War, (1123-1135)

Anglo-French War, (1159-1189)

Anglo-French War, (1202-1204)

Anglo-French War, (1213-1214)

Anglo-French War, (1242-1243)

Anglo-French War, (1294-1298)

Anglo-French War, (1300-1303)

The Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453)-The Hundred Years’ War was actually a series of wars between England and France which lasted 116 years. Most historians break this conflict into four distinct wars.
Anglo-French War, (1337-1360)

Anglo-French War, (1369-1373)

Anglo-French War, (1412-1420)

Anglo-French War, (1423-1453)

Anglo-French War, (1475)

Anglo-French War, (1488) -Also known as Henry VII’s Invasion of Brittany (a region in NW France).

Anglo-French War, (1489-1492) -Also known as Henry VII’s Second Invasion of Brittany.

Anglo-French War, (1510-1513)-Also known as the War of the Holy League, England joined with the Pope, several Italian states, Swiss cantons and Spain against France. King Henry VIII of England won a favorable peace from France after winning the Battle of the Spurs on August 16, 1513. The rest of the Holy League continued fighting France until the Pope Julius II’s death, which helped cause the dissolution of the League.

Anglo-French War, (1521-1526)-Henry VIII joined the Hapsburg Empire in a war against France. The war proved unpopular in England and expensive financially, and the King had difficulty raising money from Parliament. After 1523, England did not participate much in the war.

Anglo-French War, (1542-1546)-Henry VIII again joined the Hapsburg Empire in a war against France. The English captured the port of Boulogne and the French had to accept that seizure when the peace treaty was signed. The war cost England two million English pounds.

Anglo-French War, (1549-1550)-French King Henry II declared war with the intention of retaking Boulogne, which fell to him in 1550. This war was preceded by years of border combat short of all-out war.

Anglo-French War, (1557-1560)-England’s Queen Mary drew her country into war allied to Spain , whose king was her husband. A very unpopular war with the English people. England lost possession of Calais on the French mainland. When Queen Elizabeth later took the throne, religious and political differences would make England and Spain bitter enemies.

Anglo-French War, (1589-1593)-England was caught up in the great Protestant-Catholic wars sweeping Europe. England sided with Protestant Dutch rebels against Catholic Spain and with the Protestant (Huguenot) French against the Catholic French in the Wars of Religion, a series of French religious civil wars. In 1589, while still fighting Spain after defeating the famous Spanish Armada, Elizabeth sent troops to aid the French Protestants.

Anglo-French War, (1627-1628)-Also known in France as the Third Bearnese Revolt, England came to the aid of Huguenot rebels fighting the French government.

Anglo-French War, (1666-1667)

Anglo-French War, (1689-1697)-Known in Europe as the War of the League of Augsburg AND as the War of the Grand Alliance. In North America the colonial aspect of the conflict was known as King William’s War.

Anglo-French War, (1702-1712)-Known in Europe as the War of the Spanish Succession, in North America as Queen Anne’s War and in India as the First Carnatic War. This conflict also included the Second Abnaki War. The Abnaki Indian tribe allied itself with the French against the English colonists in North America.

Anglo-French War, (1744-1748)-Known in Europe as the War of the Austrian Succession and in North America as King George’s War.

Anglo-French War, (1749-1754)-Known in India as the Second Carnatic War. The British East India Company and its Indian allies battled the French East India Company and its Indian allies.

Anglo-French War, (1755-1763)-Known in Europe as the Seven Years’ War and in North America as the French and Indian War. France forever lost possession of Quebec/Canada. In many ways, England’s victory set the stage for the American Revolution.

Anglo-French War, (1779-1783)-Also known as the American Revolution. Also involved Spain, the United States and the Netherlands against Britain. Can also be considered as an Anglo-French War, an Anglo-Spanish War and an Anglo-Dutch War.

Wars of the French Revolution, (1792-1802)-The Wars of the French Revolution spanned a decade of great political, social and military change throughout the European continent. After the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789, the conservative, monarchical powers of Europe attempted to extinguish the new French Republic and restore the Bourbon Royal Family. When several nations combined against France, the alliances were known as “Coalitions”. Thus, this series of wars are known as the Wars of the Coalitions.
Austro-Prussian Invasion of France, (1792)-In support of the deposed, but still living French King Louis XVI, Austria and Prussia invaded France. French Revolutionary armies defeated the Allies at Valmy and Jemappes and conquered Austrian-ruled Belgium. France also defeated Austrian forces in northern Italy, seizing Savoy and Nice. Can also be considered as a Franco-Austrian War and a Franco-Prussian War.

War of the First Coalition, (1792-1798)-Britain, Austria, Prussia, Spain, Russia, Sardinia and Holland combined to fight Revolutionary France. Can also be considered as a Franco-Austrian War , a Franco-Prussian War, a Franco-Dutch War , a Franco-Russian War, Anglo-French War, and a Franco-Sardinian War. Russia left the Coalition in 1794 to deal with troubles in Poland. French victories forced Holland, also known then as the Batavian Republic, to leave the Coalition in 1795. Prussia and Spain made peace with France in 1795 and Austria signed the Treaty of Campo-Formio in 1798, surrendering the Austrian Netherlands (now Belgium) to France.

This war included the battles of Neerwinden, Mainz, Kaiserlautern (early Allied victories). Later, as the Revolutionary government organized the populace and fielded huge “citizen armies” commanded by brilliant young generals like Napoleon Bonaparte, the French won many battlefield victories.

War of the Second Coalition, (1798-1801)-Britain, Austria, Russia, Portugal, Naples and the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) combined to fight Revolutionary France. Spain later joined France against Portugal. Can also be considered as a Franco-Austrian War , a Franco-Russian War, a Anglo-French War, a Franco-Turkish War, a Franco-Neapolitian War , a Franco-Portuguese War and a Franco-Russian War. This alliance against France formed to counter French moves in Italy; formation of the Roman, Ligurian, Cisalpine and Helvetic Republics in Switzerland and Italy, and the deposition of Papal rule in Rome. Naples was conquered by the French in early 1799 and declared to be the new Parthenopean Republic.

After the Coalition war began, France intervened in an internal revolt in the Swiss Confederation. The Swiss Revolt of 1798, (1798) ended with the Swiss Confederation dissolved and the Helvetic Republic in its place. Throughout the rest of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, the Swiss were effectively under French rule with an army of occupation in place.

Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Turkish Egypt and won the Battle of the Pyramids, continuing his march into what is now Israel and Lebanon. British Admiral Horatio Nelson wiped out the French fleet at the Battle of the Nile in 1798. Due to French victories on land against both Turkish and British troops, the Ottoman Empire made peace with France at the Convention of El-Arish in 1800.

Part of this Coalition war is the so-called War of the Oranges (1801), in which France and Spain invaded Portugal. France sought to end Portugal’s trade with Britain, and Spain sought Portuguese territory. In the Peace of Badajoz, Portugal promised to end trade with Britain, give land to Spain, and part of Brazil to France. This “Brazilian” land is the modern-day French Guiana.

This war included the battles of Cassano, Tribbia River and Novi (early Allied victories). Following Russian withdrawal from the war due to quarrels with Austria, the French under First Consul Bonaparte won the Battle of Marengo in 1800. The Coalition collapsed after Austria lost the Battle of Hohenlinden in December, 1800 and signed the Peace of Luneville in February, 1801.

French Revolutionary Wars TO BE COMPLETED AS TIME ALLOWS.

The Napoleonic Wars, (1802-1815) TO BE COMPLETED SOON.

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Anglo-Dutch Wars
Anglo-Dutch War (1652-1654)

Anglo-Dutch War (1664-1667)

Anglo-Dutch War (1672-1674)

Anglo-Dutch War, (1779-1783) -Also known as the American Revolution. Also involved Spain, the United States and France against Britain.

Anglo-Spanish Wars
Anglo-Spanish War, 1739-1748

Indian Sub-Continent Wars
Indo-Pakistani Wars
First Kashmir War (1947-1948)

Second Kashmir War (1965)

Bengali War of Independence (1971)

Kashmir Border Conflict (1990?-Present)

Indian Internal Conflicts
Naga Rebellion (1954?-Present)

Assam-Nagaland border dispute (1979?-Present?)

Kashmir Revolt (1990-Present)-This is the internal Indian conflict involving Pakistan. (See above)

Wars of India (post-independence)
First Indo-Pakistan War (1948-1949)–Also known as the First Kashmir War.

Liberation of Hyderabad (1948)–Also known in India as “Operation Polo.”

Naga Rebellion (1954?-Present)

Liberation of Goa (1961)–A conflict between India and Portugal. Goa had been a Portuguese colony for centuries prior to the Indian invasion of 1961. Also known in India as “Operation Vijay.”

Sino-Indian War (1962)–Border war between China and India.

United Nations Offensive Operations in the Congo (1961-1964)–India contributed troops to the UN army which undertook offensive action against rebels in the Congo.

Second Indo-Pakistan War (1965)–Also known as the Second Kashmir War.

Sino-Indian Skirmish (1967)–Also known as the Chola “Incident.”

Third Indo-Pakistan War/Bengali War of Independence (1971)–India attacked Pakistan in support of rebels seeking the independence of Bangladesh (then known as East Pakistan) from Pakistan.

Assam-Nagaland border dispute (1979?-Present?)

Punjab Insurgency (1984-1989)–A rebellion in the Sikh-dominated Punjab region culminated in the bloody Battle at the Golden Temple in June of 1984. Follow-up operations in the countryside continued into 1989. India claims the Sikh rebels were backed by Pakistan.

Siachen Operations (1984-Present)–The Siachen Glacier is one of the highest glaciers in the world, and it sits astride the demarcation line between India’s and Pakistan’s claims in Jammu and Kashmir. Since the mid-’80’s, artillery and infantry battles have broken out along this stretch of the border. These battles are related to the ongoing Kashmir Revolt (see below).

Indian Intervention in Sri Lankan Civil War (1987-1990)–India intervened in the bloody Sri Lankan Civil War (which continues into 2000) in support of the Sinhalese majority-dominated government. After suffering heavy casualties and realizing that this was a conflict best left to the Sri Lankans, India removed her troops in 1990.

Indian Intervention in the Maldives (1988)–India intervened to save the government of the Maldives Islands from a takeover by Sri Lankan rebels.

Kashmir Revolt (1990-Present)-This is the internal Indian conflict involving Pakistan and Pakistani-supported Kashmir rebels.

Sources on Indian military history:

Conflicts Since Independence

Burmese Internal Conflicts
Chin Rebellion (1980’s-Present)

Kachin Rebellion

Karen Rebellion

Student Revolt

Wars of the Middle East (Wars since 1948)
The Arab-Israeli Wars (1948-Present)
Israeli War of Independence (1948-1949)

Suez War (1956)-Also involved Britain and France.

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (1964-Present)

Six-Day War (1967)

Yom Kippur [or Ramadan] War (1973)

Israeli Invasion of Lebanon (1982-1984)-Also involved Syria and the PLO.

Israeli-Lebanese Border War (1984-2000)-Also involved Syria , the PLO and Lebanese militia’s such as Hezbollah.

The First Intifada (Dec. 1987-1993)-An uprising by the Palestinians in the territories occupied by Israel in the 1967 War. This conflict concluded with the Oslo Accords, which set up a timetable for Palestinian nationhood and called for the establishment of the Palestinian Authority, with PLO Chairman Yassir Arafat as President.

The Gulf War (1990-1991)-Iraq attacked Israel with Scud Missiles.

The Second Intifada (Sept. 2000-Present)-An urban guerrilla/terrorist conflict between the Palestinians and Israel. Marked by suicide bombings, recurring Israeli invasions of Palestinian cities and Palestinian guerrilla attacks on Isreaeli settlements and military targets.

Israel-Lebanon/Hezbollah War (2006)

Lebanese Civil War (1958)-Also involved the U.S.

North Yemen Civil War (1966-1968)-Also involved Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Dhofar Rebellion in Oman (1960’s-1970’s)-Also involved Iran and Britain.

Jordanian Civil War (1970)-Also involved Syria and the PLO.

Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990)-Also involved Israel, Syria and the PLO.

Yemeni War (1979)–Involved North and South Yemen.

First Persian Gulf War (1980-1988)-Iran vs. Iraq-also involved U.S. and Kuwait.
“The Tanker War” (1987-1988)-This is the component of the First Persian Gulf War that involved the U.S. and Kuwait. In an attempt to halt Kuwaiti aid for Iraq, as well as Iraqi oil sales and deliveries, Iran attacked oil tankers in the Gulf. The U.S. stepped in to protect the Kuwaiti ships and came engaged in combat with Iran’s Navy and Revolutionary Guards. Also known by the U.S. code-name “Operation Earnest Will.”

Second Persian Gulf War (1990-1991)

The “No-Fly Zone War ” (1991-2003)

Yemeni Civil War (1994)

Yemen-Eritrea Border Conflict (1996?)

Yemeni Tribal Uprising (1998)

Saudi-Yemen Border Conflict (1998)

bin Laden’s War (1998-Present) -Terrorist conflict between the United States and irregular forces led by Osama bin Laden. The violence has also involved Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, Yemen and Afghanistan.

Third Persian Gulf War (2003)-The second major war between the United States-led coalition and the Middle Eastern nation of Iraq. Military members of the coalition also include the United Kingdom and Australia.

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Ecuador-Peru Wars
Border War (1941)

Border War (1981)

Border War ( January,1995)

Wars of Mexico
U.S.-Mexican War (1846-1847)-The United States invaded Mexico and forced the Mexicans to cede the northern half of the country and also to give up any claim to Texas.

Yaqui Indian War (1899-1904?)–One of the last of the long series of Mexican-Indian Wars, this conflict began when chiefs of the eight principal Yaqui Indian tribes demand Mexican withdrawal from the Sinaloa region.

Chiapas Uprising (1994- Present)–A rebel group calling itself the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) began a revolt on New Year’s Day 1994. Little fighting has taken place since 1994. The government and the Zapatistas engage in negotiations and public relations battles rather than combat, though several massacres have occurred.

*More wars to be added later.

Wars of West Africa
Cameroon Rebellion (1960-1963)- Rebellion against the newly independent government of Cameroon by the Cameroon People’s Union, a pro-Communist group. French forces aided the government in defeating the rebels.

Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde Islands War of Independence (1963-1974)- Fought against Portugal.

Nigerian Civil War aka “Biafra War” (1967-1970)

“Mercenary” Invasion of Guinea (Nov. 1970)-Mercenaries supported by Portugal attacked the Guinea government. Nigeria and United Arab Republic (Egypt) sent troops to help Guinea.

Saharan War (1975-Present)-Morocco and Mauritania against the Polisario Front. Mauritania left the war in 1978.

Gambian Marxist Coup Attempt (1981)-Insurgents seized the capital in July. Order restored with the aid of troops from Senegal.

Casamance Rebellion in Senegal (1980’s-Present)

Tuareg Rebellion in Mali (?-1991)-Conflict between Tuareg Berbers in the north and the Black dominated government.

Southern Black Rebellion in Mauritania (1989-1991?)-Following race riots in 1989, the African Liberation Forces of Mauritania (FLAM) took up arms against the Arab-dominated government.

Liberian Civil War (1991?-1997?)-also involved the Nigerian-led ECOMOG peacekeeping force.

Sierra Leone Civil War (1990’s)

Guinea-Bissau Civil War (1998-1999)-Also involved Senegal and Guinea-Conakry.

Liberian Civil War (1999)–Rebels launched an invasion of Liberia from neighboring Guinea. Civil war resumed in Liberia after this attack.

Ivory Coast Civil War (2002)–Rebels from the army, mostly Muslim, launched an attempted coup in September, 2002. The government survived the initial attacks, though subsequent fighting left the mostly Muslim northern part of the country in rebel hands.

Border Disputes of West Africa (short of full-fledged war)
Mali-Burkina Faso (formerly Upper Volta) Dispute (1960’s-1986)-Several instances of armed clashes, the most serious being a four-day battle in Dec. 1985. The World Court mediated and divided the 100 mile-long, 12-mile wide Agacher Strip.

Guinea-Bissau-Senegal Dispute (1984-1991)-Border dispute erupted into armed clashes in April and May, 1990. Each side supported neighbor’s rebel movements.

Mauritania-Senegal Dispute (1989-?)-Race riots (Black vs. Arab), erupted on both sides of the border in 1989. Artillery fire exchanged in Jan. of 1990. Each nation accuses the other of mistreatment of minorities and of support for each other’s rebel groups. Senegal seeks border revision.

Nigeria-Cameroon Dispute (1991-1998)-Border dispute over the oil-rich Bakassi region. A cease-fire agreement was signed in 1996, but each side accuses the other of numerous violations. In 1998, 221 prisoners of war were repatriated. In 2002, the World Court awarded the land to Cameroon.

Wars of East Africa

Ugandan Uprisings (1898?-1899?)–Native Ugandan troops mutinied against their colonial British officers, causing difficulty for British forces fighting Mahdist forces in the Sudan.

Mau-Mau War (1952-1956)- Fought against British colonial rule.

Zanzibar Uprising (1964)

Buganda Separatist Revolt (1966)-Uganda’s Buganda ethnic group.

Uganda-Tanzania War (1979)-Began as a border conflict in which Uganda’s dictator, Idi Amin Dada, tried seizing Tanzanian territory. Tanzania counter-attacked and entered Uganda. Amin fled the country and his rule ended. Ugandan rebel forces accompanied the Tanzanian army. Amin’s allies included troops from Libya and Palestinian fighters.

bin Laden’s War (1998-Present) -Terrorist conflict between the United States and irregular forces led by Osama bin Laden. The violence has also involved Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan and Afghanistan.

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Wars of the Horn of Africa
Somali “Mad Mullah” Jihad (1899-1905)–Somali tribesmen led by religious leader Muhammad ibn Abd Allah Hasan waged a desert guerrilla war against Britain, Italy and Ethiopia. Following repeated defeats by the Somalis, the colonial powers offered him territory in Italian Somaliland in exchange for peace. He resumed his war in 1908 and harassed the occupiers of his country until 1920.

Eritrean War of Independence (1962-1991)- Fought against Ethiopia. Also considered to be the First Eritrean-Ethiopian War.

Somali Border Wars with Ethiopia and Kenya (1964-1967)

Oromo Insurgency [Ethiopia] (1973?-Present)

Ogaden War (1977-1978)- Ethiopia against Somalia and Somali rebels in the Ogaden desert area. The Soviet Union and Cuba also involved on Ethiopia’s side. Can be considered a part of the Cold War.

Eritrean Islamic Jihad (EIJ) Insurgency (?)

Somali Civil War (1990-Present)

Yemen-Eritrea Border Conflict (1996)

Second Eritrea-Ethiopia War (1998-2000)

Wars of North Africa
First Sudanese War of 1881-1885-

Second Sudanese War (1896-1899)–Britain and Egypt vs. the Mahdist “dervish” Army of Khalifa Abdullah. Britain decided to re-conquer the Sudan from the Mahdist cult that had defeated Britain’s General “Chinese” Gordon in the First Sudanese War of 1881-1885. One of the driving forces in the timing of this offensive was the interest of Italy, Belgium and, most of all, France in the Sudan region. The Anglo-Egyptian army commanded by Lord Kitchener defeated the Mahdists at the Battle of Omdurman on September 2, 1898. On November 24, 1899, Khalifa Abdullah and the remainder of his army were wiped out and the Sudan fell under Anglo-Egyptian rule.

French Conquest of Chad (1897-1914)- French forces continued their conquest of the Sahara by moving into the area of Lake Chad, razing villages and forcing compliance with Paris’ rule. In 1900, French troops defeated Rabah Zobeir, a follower of the Sudanese Mahdi. Other native leaders and tribes continued resistance to the French invasion.

Algerian War of Independence (1954-1962)- Algeria won independence from France after a very bloody guerilla war.

French-Tunisian Clashes (1958, 1961)

Algerian-Moroccan Border War (1963-1964)

Saharan War (1975-Present)-Morocco and Mauritania against the Polisario Front. Mauritania left the war in 1978. Note–Polisario began fighting the Spanish colonial rulers of the “Spanish Sahara” in the early 1970’s.

Egypt-Libya War (1977)-Short border conflict.

Algerian Civil War (1992-Present)-Islamic guerillas trying to overthrow military-based secular government. This war began after a military coup which voided election results which would have given power to fundamentalist Islamic political parties.

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Wars of Central Africa

Batetelan Uprisings (1895 and 1897-1900)–The Batetela tribe in the Congo revolted against the harsh rule of Belgian King Leopold II. The first revolt in 1895 was put down, but lingering discontent with colonial rule and exploitation led to a second revolt in 1897. Despite the Dhani Mutiny by native troops commanded by Belgian Baron Francois Dhani in 1898 or 1899, the colonial forces suppressed the Batetelan rebels.

Rwanda Hutu Uprising (1959)

Congo “Crisis” (1960- 1967)

Tutsi Invasion of Rwanda (1963)

Tutsi Invasion of Rwanda (1964)

Congolese (Brazzaville) Rebellions (1965-1969)

Rwandan Civil War (1990-1994)

Burundian Civil War (1995-Present)

Zairian/Congolese Civil War (1996-1997)-Also involved Angola, Rwanda and Uganda on the rebel side.

Congo (Brazzaville) Civil War (1997)-Also involved Angola.

Congo (Kinshasa) Civil War (1998-2002)-Also involved Angola, Chad, Namibia and Zimbabwe on the Kinshasa government side and Rwanda and Uganda on the rebel side. The rebels sought the overthrow of Laurent Kabila of Congo. Following the assassination of President Kabila, negotiations began which led to a new coalition government headed by the late President’s son while including members of the rebel groups. The war ended in late 2002.
Rwanda-Uganda Conflict (1999)-A rather strange part of the multi-nation Congo War, the former allies battled in the streets of Kisingani, Congo. Each nation backs a rival rebel group in the anti-Kabila rebellion.

Wars of Southern Africa
The Second Boer War (1899-1902)–Britain vs. The Boer Republics (Orange Free State and Transvaal) in what is now South Africa.

Mozambican Revolts (1895-1899) – Native uprisings against Portuguese colonial rule in Mozambique.

Madagascar Rebellion (1947)-Against French rule. France crushed the revolt.

South African Civil War (1960-1994?)

Angolan War of Independence (1961-1975)- Fought against Portugal.

Mozambican War of Independence (1964-1975)- Fought against Portugal.

Namibian War of Independence (1966-1990)

Rhodesian Civil War (1967-1979)- Can also be considered the Zimbabwe War of Independence. Rebels of the black majority fought a guerilla war against the white minority government of Ian Smith. Smith had declared unilateral independence from Britain rather than end white rule. The war concluded with a peace agreement in which each adult received the right to vote regardless of race.

Angolan Civil War (1975-2002)- Following independence from Portugal, the two primary rebel groups, the Marxist MPLA and the “pro-Western” UNITA movements battled for control of Angola. Each side received significant outside assistance. The MPLA enjoyed massive aid from the Soviet Union as well as combat troops from Cuba. Early in the conflict, Zaire sent troops to aid UNITA, while the United States (mostly through the Central Intelligence Agency) sent weapons and mercenaries. South Africa also aided UNITA with large cross-border incursions. South Africa’s involvement came out of concern that a pro-Communist regime would aid SWAPO rebels fighting for Namibia’s independence from South Africa. The war finally ended after the death of UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi.

Mozambican Civil War (1975-1992) – Also known as the “Renamo War.” The Renamo rebel group attempted to overthrow the leftist government with aid from Rhodesia and South Africa. The fighting ended in 1992, with a formal peace treaty ending the war signed in 1994.

Caprivi Uprising [Namibia] (1999) – Rebels in the Caprivi region launched a guerrilla uprising against the Namibian government.

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Balkan Wars
First Balkan War (1912-1913)-The Ottoman Empire defeated by Serbia, Albania, Bulgaria and Greece.

Albanian-Serb Warfare Since 1912-A history of warfare between these two ethnic groups in the Balkans.

Second Balkan War (1913)-Bulgaria defeated by Serbia, The Ottoman Empire, Romania and Greece.

Third Balkan War (1991-Present)-The breakup of Yugoslavia can be seen as one long conflict divided into at least six separate wars, all which involve parts of the disintegrated Balkan nation.
Yugoslav Civil War (1991-1992)-The breakup of Yugoslavia as one nation, involved two separate but related wars. The Yugoslav regions of Slovenia and Croatia declared independence from the Belgrade government.
Slovenian War of Independence (1991)-Slovenia’s war against the Serbian-dominated Yugoslav Army was short and victorious. This was due in part to Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic’s realization that his main worry was the war in neighboring Croatia.

Croatian War of Independence (1991-1995)-Croatia fought both the Yugoslav/Serbian Army and Serb rebels in the Krajina region.
Krajina Rebellion (1991-1995)-Croatia’s Serb minority attempted to form a separate nation during the Croatian War of Independence from Yugoslavia. The Serb rebels succeeded in driving the Croatian military out of the Krajina region bordering Bosnia. However, in May of 1995, the Croatian Army launched an effective offensive (Operation Storm), which forced an end to the Krajina Republic. As a result of this action, most Krajina Serbs fled into Serbia in a form of “ethnic cleansing.” The Yugoslav/Serb Army aided the Krajina rebels. Many of these Serb refugees settled in the Voyvodina region of northern Serbia, but some of them moved to the Serb province of Kosovo, which erupted into war in 1998.

During the Bosnian War, airplanes from Krajina bombed Muslim held Bihac in Bosnia. Following this, NATO warplanes bombed the Serb airfield at Udbina in Krajina.

Bosnian Civil War (1992-1995) -Also involved Croatia, Yugoslavia/Serbia and NATO. In April of 1992, Bosnia declared independence from Yugoslavia. Almost immediately, the Bosnian Serb population rebelled against the Muslim and Croatian portions of the new nation. Parts of the war saw the Muslims and Croatians cooperate against their common foe, but from 1993-1994, Bosnia saw a three-way war when the Muslims and Croats battled each other as well as fighting the Serbs. Troops from Serbia/Yugoslavia and the rebel Krajina area entered Bosnia to aid the Bosnian Serbs, while the Croatian Army aided the Bosnian Croat forces. In April, 1994, NATO forces began selected, limited bombing of Serb positions around the capital of Sarajevo in an attempt to force the Serbs to the peace table.

On February 5, 1994, Serb artillery hit a marketplace in Sarajevo, causing severe civilian casualties. This caused increased American pressure on the Muslims and Croats to stop fighting each other and unite against the Serbs. On Feb. 23, both sides signed a cease-fire, which soon led to the formation of the Muslim/Croat Bosnian Federation.

August 28, 1995, Serb mortars cause 37 civilian dead in Sarajevo. Major NATO (Operation Deliberate Force) airstrikes against the Serbs began on August 30 and continued until a bombing pause on September 14. U.S. airpower contributed 65.9% of the NATO air sorties. At this point, the Bosnian Serbs agreed to end the fighting and participate as a part of the Bosnian nation.
Fikrit Abdic Uprising (Autumn of 1993- 1995) –In addition to fighting the Serbs and Croats, the Bosnian (mostly Muslim) government also had to deal with an uprising by a Bosnian Muslim businessman named Fikrit Abdic. He allied himself with local Serb forces against the government. In July, 1995, Bosnian government forces captured Abdic’s stronghold in the Bihac region. News article on Bihac Muslims following Abdic’s fall.

Sources on the Bosnian War:

CRS 93056: Bosnia: U.S. Military Operations

Former Yugoslavia Chronology

Bombs Over Bosnia: The Role of Airpower in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Unconquered Bosnia–Website containing numerous articles on the Bosnia War.

NATO and U.N. Involvement in Bosnia

Kosovo War (1998) Links Page-Also involved NATO. Ethnic Albanians living in the Serbian province of Kosovo sought independence from the Yugoslav Serb government in Belgrade. After a 78-day bombing campaign by NATO forces, the Serbian army evacuated Kosovo.

Presevo Rebellion (2000-2001)-One of the latest conflicts to come out of the Yugoslav breakup is a small (so far), rebellion by ethnic Albanians living in the Presevo Valley region of Serbia. This area borders on Kosovo.

Albanian Uprising in Macedonia (2001-2001)-The latest conflict to come out of the Yugoslav breakup is a small but noisy rebellion by ethnic Albanians living in the area of Macedonia bordering on Kosovo and Serbia. Macedonia is the southernmost of the new post-Yugoslav nations. Albanians form a sizeable minority in Macedonia.

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Wars of the United States
Colonial Wars -A series of wars involving the colonizing European powers of England, France, Spain, the Netherlands and Sweden in North America and the Caribbean.
King William’s War, (1689-1697)-Known in Europe as the War of the League of Augsburg AND as the War of the Grand Alliance and in North America as King William’s War.

Queen Anne’s War, (1702-1712)-Known in Europe as the War of the Spanish Succession, in North America as Queen Anne’s War and in India as the First Carnatic War. This conflict also included the Second Abnaki War. The Abnaki Indian tribe allied itself with the French against the English colonists in North America.

The War of Jenkins’ Ear, (1739-1743)-Fought between Britain and Spain.

King George’s War, (1744-1748)-Known in Europe as the War of the Austrian Succession and in North America as King George’s War.

French and Indian War, (1755-1763)-Known in Europe as the Seven Years’ War and in North America as the French and Indian War. France forever lost possession of Quebec/Canada. In many ways, England’s victory set the stage for the American Revolution.

Colonial Indian Wars (1609-1775)-A series of wars involving the colonizing European powers of England, France, Spain, the Netherlands and Sweden and their colonists against the native tribes of North America.

American Revolution (1775-1783)- Also involved France, Spain and the Netherlands against Britain. The first Anglo-American War.

Indian Wars (1775-1890)-A series of wars involving the United States government and her migrating settlers with the native tribes of what became the continental United States.

Shay’s Rebellion (1786-1787)

The Whiskey Rebellion (1794)

Quasi-War with France (1798-1800)

Fries’s Rebellion “The Hot Water War” (1799)

U.S. Slave Rebellions (1800-1865)

Barbary Wars
Tripolitanian War (1800-1805)

Algerine War (1815)

War of 1812 (1812-1814)-The second Anglo-American War.

Invasion of Spanish Florida (1819)-Andrew Jackson seized Florida from Spain.

U.S.-Mexican War (1846-1847)-The United States invaded Mexico and forced the Mexicans to cede the northern half of the country and also to give up any claim to Texas.

Kansas Civil War “Bleeding Kansas” (1855-1860)-Guerilla warfare between pro and anti slavery forces.

Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry (1859)-Anti-slavery militant John Brown’s attempt to jump start a slave rebellion.

Civil War (1861-1865)

U.S. Intervention in Hawaiian Revolution (1893)

Spanish-American War (1898)

U.S. Intervention in Samoan Civil War (1898-1899) with U.S. and British Naval Bombardment of Samoa –A resumption of past civil wars in which Samoan chief Mataafa seized power following the death of his rival, King Malietoa Laupepa, who had defeated him in the last Samoan Civil War (1893-1894). Fighting ensued, which was complicated by the long-standing rivalry between the U.S., Britain and Germany for de facto control over the Samoan Islands. On March 15, 1899, warships of the American and British Navies bombarded the Samoan city of Apia to intimidate the reigning Samoan king, who was allied with the Germans. An Anglo-American landing force took control of Apia, but were not able to pacify the interior. All sides agreed to cease fighting on May 13, 1899. Later that year, the three Western nations signed a treaty dividing Samoa between them. This whole conflict was part of a wider Samoan civil war.

Philippine-American War (1899-1902)

Boxer Rebellion (1900)-Also involved Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Japan, Italy, Austria-Hungary against “Boxer” rebels in China as well as the Chinese government.

The Moro Wars (1901-1913)-Guerilla warfare against U.S. forces by the Moro Muslims of the southern Philippines. Can be seen as a continuation of the Philippine-American War.

U.S. Intervention in Panamanian Revolution (1903)-The U.S. landed troops in Panama to prevent Columbia from crushing the separatist Panamanian government.

The Banana Wars (1909-1933)-A series of U.S. interventions in various Central American and Caribbean countries.

U.S. Occupation of Vera Cruz (1914)-The U.S. landed troops in Vera Cruz, Mexico.

Pershing’s Raid into Mexico (1916-1917)-After Mexican rebel Pancho Villa attacked a U.S. town, General Pershing pursued him across the border.

World War I (1917-1918)

Allied Intervention in Russian Civil War (1919-1921)-Also involved Britain, France, Japan, Italy, Poland and the Czech Legion against the new Bolshevik (Soviet Communist) government in Russia.

World War II (1941-1945)

The Cold War (1945-1991)

Korean War (1950-1953)-Also involved Britain, France, Turkey, and others against North Korea and China.

Intervention in Lebanon (1958)

Second Indochina War (1956-1975)
Vietnam War (1964-1973)–The “advisory” phase of U.S. involvement goes from 1956 to 1964, and then resumes from 1973 to 1975. The years 1964 to 1973 refer to the period of “official” combat deployment of U.S. forces in the war.

Cambodian Civil War (1970-1975)

Laotian Civil War (1960?-1975)

Dominican Intervention (1965-1966?)

Iranian Hostage Crisis (1979-1980)

Lebanese Intervention (1982-1984)

Grenada Invasion (1983)

First Persian Gulf War (1980-1988)-The U.S. gave logistical and intelligence information to Iraq in its war against Iran.
“Tanker War” (1987-1988)-The U.S. provided naval protection for Kuwaiti oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. This led to multiple clashes with the Iranian military.

Panama Invasion (1989)

Second Persian Gulf War (1991)

No-Fly Zone War (1991-2003)

Somalia Intervention (1992-1993)

Occupation of Haiti (1994-Present)

Bosnian War (1995)-The U.S. and NATO engaged in air strikes to force the Bosnian Serb forces to negotiate a peace agreement. Also known as Operation Deliberate Force. U.S. airpower contributed 65.9% of the NATO air sorties.

bin Laden’s War (1998-Present) -Terrorist conflict between the United States and irregular forces led by Osama bin Laden. The violence has also involved Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan and Afghanistan.

Kosovo War (1999) –Links Page

The War in Afghanistan (2001-Present)

The Third Persian Gulf War : “Operation Iraqi Freedom” (2003)–The second major war between the United States-led coalition and the Middle Eastern nation of Iraq. Military members of the coalition also include the United Kingdom and Australia.

Intervention in Haiti (2004)–Intervention to prevent civil war/anarchy in Haiti following the Gonsalves Rebellion against the Haitian government.

Paleolithic Era
Indeterminate: Language
2.4 mya: Stone tools in Africa
1.65 mya: Hand axes in Kenya
1 mya: Controlled fire in Africa
100-500 tya: Clothing
400 tya: Pigments in Zambia [1]
400 tya: Spears in Germany [2]
100 tya: Lithic blades in Africa and the Near East
60 tya: Ships probably used by settlers of New Guinea
50 tya: Flute in Slovenia
50 tya: Bow in Tunisia [3] [4]
43 tya: Mining in Swaziland and Hungary
37 tya: Tally sticks in Swaziland [5]
30 tya: Sewing needles
26 tya: Ceramics in Moravia
25 tya: Atlatl in NW Africa [6]
12 tya: Pottery in Japan

10th millennium BC
Agriculture in the Fertile Crescent
Adobe in the Near East
9500 BC: Granary in the Jordan Valley

9th millennium BC
8700 BC: Metalworking (copper pendant) in Iraq

8th millennium BC
Animal husbandry in the Near East
Plaster in Jericho

7th millennium BC
6200 BC: Map in Çatalhöyük
Cloth woven from flax fiber
Alcoholic beverages in Jiahu, China and the Near East

6th millennium BC
Irrigation in the Fertile Crescent
Ploughs in Mesopotamia
5th millennium BC
Beer and bread in Sumer
Wheel and axle combination in Mesopotamia

4th millennium BC
4000 BC: Canal in Mesopotamia
3800s BC: Engineered roadway in England
3500 BC: Plywood in Egypt
3500 BC: Writing in Sumer
3500 BC: Carts in Sumer
3100 BC: Drainage in the Indus Valley Civilization (India/Pakistan)
Dental surgery in Mehrgarh (Indus Valley Civilization)
Bronze: Susa
Silk in China
Cement in Egypt
River boats in Egypt

3rd millennium BC
2800 BC: Soap in Mesopotamia
2800 BC: Button in the Indus Valley Civilization
2600 BC: Artificial sewage systems in the Indus Valley Civilization
2500 BC: Flush toilets in the Indus Valley Civilization
2400 BC: Shipyard in Lothal (Indus Valley Civilization)
2000 BC: Currency
Sledges in Scandinavia
Alphabet in Egypt
Candles in Egypt

2nd millennium BC
Glass in Egypt
Rubber in Mesoamerica
Spoked wheel chariot in the Near East
Water clock in Egypt
Bells in China

1st millennium BC
600s BC: Coins in Lydia
500s BC: Sugar in India
500s BC: Dental bridge in Etruria
500s BC: Trebuchet in China
400s BC: Plastic surgery: Sushruta
400s BC: Catapult in Syracuse
300s BC: Compass in China.
300s BC: Screw: Archytas
200s BC: Crossbow in China
200s BC: Compound pulley: Archimedes
200s BC: Odometer: Archimedes?
150s BC: Astrolabe: Hipparchus
100s BC: Parchment in Pergamon
1st century BC: Glassblowing in Syria
87 BC: Clockwork (the Antikythera mechanism): Posidonius?

1st millennium
50: Mouldboard plough in Gaul
100s: Aeolipile: Hero of Alexandria
100s: Stern mounted rudder in China
105: Paper: Cai Lun
132: Rudimentary Seismometer: Zhang Heng
200s: Wheelbarrow: Zhuge Liang
200s: Horseshoes in Germany
300: Wootz steel in India
300s: Stirrup in China
300s: Toothpaste in Egypt
600s: Windmill in Persia
673: Greek fire: Kallinikos of Heliopolis
800s: Gunpowder in China
852: Parachute: Armen Firman
900: Horse collar in Europe
900s: Rocket in China
Woodblock printing in China
Porcelain in China
Spinning wheel in China or India

2nd millennium

11th century
1041: Movable type printing press: Bi Sheng

12th century
1128: Cannon in China

13th century
1280s: Eyeglasses in Northern Italy
Mechanical clocks in Northern Italy
Sandpaper in China

14th century
1350: Suspension bridges in Peru

15th century
Arquebus and Rifle in Europe
1441: Rain gauge: Jang Yeong-sil
1450s: Alphabetic, movable type printing press: Johann Gutenberg
1451: Concave lens for eyeglasses: Nicholas of Cusa
1498: Toothbrush in China

16th century
1510: Pocket watch: Peter Henlein
1540: Ether: Valerius Cordus
1576: Ironclad warship: Oda Nobunaga
1581: Pendulum: Galileo Galilei
1589: Stocking frame: William Lee
1593: Thermometer: Galileo Galilei
Musket in Europe
Pencil in England

17th century
1608: Telescope: Hans Lippershey
1609: Microscope: Galileo Galilei
1620: Slide rule: William Oughtred
1623: Automatic calculator: Wilhelm Schickard
1631: Vernier scale: Pierre Vernier
1642: Adding machine: Blaise Pascal
1643: Barometer: Evangelista Torricelli
1645: Vacuum pump: Otto von Guericke
1657: Pendulum clock: Christiaan Huygens
1679: Pressure cooker: Denis Papin
1698: Steam engine: Thomas Savery
1700: Piano: Bartolomeo Cristofori

18th century
1701: Seed drill: Jethro Tull
1705: Steam piston engine: Thomas Newcomen
1710: Thermometer: René Antoine Ferchault de Réaumur
1711: Tuning fork: John Shore
1714: Mercury thermometer: Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit
1730: Mariner’s quadrant: Thomas Godfrey
1731: Sextant: John Hadley
1733: Flying shuttle: John Kay (Flying Shuttle)
1742: Franklin stove: Benjamin Franklin
1750: Flatboat: Jacob Yoder
1752: Lightning rod: Benjamin Franklin
1762: Iron smelting process: Jared Eliot
1767: Spinning jenny: James Hargreaves
1767: Carbonated water: Joseph Priestley
1769: Steam engine: James Watt
1769: Water Frame: Richard Arkwright
1769: Steam car: Nicolas Cugnot
1775: Submarine Turtle: David Bushnell
1777: Card teeth making machine: Oliver Evans
1777: Circular saw: Samuel Miller
1779: Spinning mule: Samuel Crompton
1780s: Iron rocket: Tipu Sultan in India
1783: Multitubular boiler engine: John Stevens
1783: Parachute: Jean Pierre Blanchard
1783: Hot air balloon: Montgolfier brothers
1784: Bifocals: Benjamin Franklin
1784: Argand lamp: Ami Argand
1784: Shrapnel shell: Henry Shrapnel
1785: Power loom: Edmund Cartwright
1785: Automatic flour mill: Oliver Evans
1786: Threshing machine: Andrew Meikle
1787: Non-condensing high pressure Engine: Oliver Evans
1790: Cut and head nail machine: Jacob Perkins
1791: Steamboat: John Fitch
1791: Artificial teeth: Nicholas Dubois De Chemant
1793: Cotton gin: Eli Whitney
1793: Optical telegraph: Claude Chappe
1797: Cast iron plow: Charles Newbold
1798: Vaccination: Edward Jenner
1798: Lithography: Alois Senefelder
1799: Seeding machine: Eliakim Spooner

19th century

1800s
1800: Electric battery: Alessandro Volta
1801: Jacquard loom: Joseph Marie Jacquard
1802: Screw propeller steamboat Phoenix: John Stevens
1802: Gas stove: Zachäus Andreas Winzler
1804: Locomotive: Richard Trevithick
1805: Submarine Nautilus: Robert Fulton
1807: Steamboat Clermont: Robert Fulton
1808: Band saw: William Newberry
Arc lamp: Humphry Davy

1810s
1811: Gun Breechloader: Thornton
1812: Metronome: Dietrich Nikolaus Winkel
1814: Steam Locomotive (Blucher): George Stephenson
1816: Miner’s safety lamp: Humphry Davy
1816: Metronome: Johann Nepomuk Maelzel (reputed)
1816: Stirling engine: Robert Stirling
1816: Stethoscope: Rene Theophile Hyacinthe Laennec
1817 two-wheeled Draisine or velocipede: Karl Drais
1817: Kaleidoscope: David Brewster
1819: Breech loading flintlock: John Hall

1820s
1821: Electric motor: Michael Faraday
1823: Electromagnet: William Sturgeon
1826: Photography: Joseph Nicéphore Niépce
1826: internal combustion engine: Samuel Morey
1827: Insulated wire: Joseph Henry
1827: Screw propeller: Josef Ressel
1827: Friction match: John Walker

1830s
1830: Lawn mower: Edwin Beard Budding
1830: Stenotype on punched paper strip: Karl Drais
1831: Multiple coil magnet: Joseph Henry
1831: Magnetic acoustic telegraph: Joseph Henry (patented 1837)
1831: Reaper: Cyrus McCormick
1831: Electrical generator: Michael Faraday, Stefan Jedlik
1834: The Hansom cab is patented
1834: Louis Braille perfects his Braille system
1834: Refrigerator: Jacob Perkins
1834: Combine harvester: Hiram Moore
1835: Photogenic Drawing: William Henry Fox Talbot
1835: Revolver: Samuel Colt
1835: Morse code: Samuel Morse
1835: Electromechanical Relay: Joseph Henry
1835: Incandescent light bulb: James Bowman Lindsay
1836: Samuel Colt receives a patent for the Colt revolver (February 24)
1836: Improved screw propeller: John Ericsson
1836: Sewing machine: Josef Madersberger
1837: Photography: Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre
1837: First US electric printing press patented by Thomas Davenport (February 25)
1837: Steel plow: John Deere
1837: Standard diving dress: Augustus Siebe
1837: Camera Zoom Lens: Jozef Maximilián Petzval
1838: Electric telegraph: Charles Wheatstone (also Samuel Morse)
1838: Forerunner of Morse code: Alfred Vail
1838: closed diving suit with a helmet: Augustus Siebe
1839: Vulcanization of rubber: Charles Goodyear

1840s
1840: screw-propelled frigate, USS Princeton: John Ericsson
1840: artificial fertilizer: Justus von Liebig
1842: Anaesthesia: Crawford Long
1843: Typewriter: Charles Thurber
1843: Fax machine: Alexander Bain
1843: Ice cream maker: Nancy Johnson
1845: Portland cement: William Aspdin
1845: Double tube tire: Robert Thomson (inventor)
1846: Sewing machine: Elias Howe
1846: Rotary printing press: Richard M. Hoe
1849: Safety pin: Walter Hunt
1849: Francis turbine: James B. Francis

1850s
1852: Airship: Henri Giffard
1852: Passenger elevator: Elisha Otis
1852: Gyroscope: Léon Foucault
1855: Bunsen burner: Robert Bunsen
1855: Bessemer process: Henry Bessemer
1856: First celluloids: Alexander Parkes
1858: Undersea telegraph cable: Fredrick Newton Gisborne
1858: Shoe sole sewing machine: Lyman R. Blake
1858: Mason jar: John L. Mason
1859: Oil drill: Edwin L. Drake

1860s
1860: Linoleum: Fredrick Walton
1860: Repeating rifle: Oliver F. Winchester, Christopher Spencer
1860: Self-propelled torpedo: Giovanni Luppis
1861: Ironclad USS Monitor: John Ericsson
1861: Regenerative Furnace: Carl Wilhelm Siemens
1862: Revolving machine gun: Richard J. Gatling
1862: Mechanical submarine: Narcís Monturiol i Estarriol
1862: Pasteurization: Louis Pasteur, Claude Bernard
1863: Player piano: Henri Fourneaux
1864: First concept typewriter: Peter Mitterhofer
1865: Compression ice machine: Thaddeus Lowe
1865: Roller Coaster: LaMarcus Adna Thompson
1865: Barbed wire: Louis Jannin
1866: Dynamite: Alfred Nobel
1868: First practical typewriter: Christopher Sholes, Carlos Glidden and Samuel W. Soule, with assistance from James Densmore
1868: Air brake (rail): George Westinghouse
1868: Oleomargarine: Mege Mouries
1869: Vacuum cleaner: I.W. McGaffers

1870s
1870: Magic Lantern projector: Henry R. Heyl
1870: Stock ticker: Thomas Alva Edison
1870: Mobile Gasoline Engine, fitted to a cart precursor to 1888 automobile: Siegfried Marcus
1871: Cable car (railway): Andrew S. Hallidie
1871: Compressed air rock drill: Simon Ingersoll
1872: Celluloid (later development): John W. Hyatt
1872: Adding machine: Edmund D. Barbour
1873: Railway knuckle coupler: Eli H. Janney
1873: Modern direct current electric motor: Zénobe Gramme
1874: Electric street car: Stephen Dudle Field
1875: Dynamo: William A. Anthony
1875: Magazine (firearm): Benjamin B. Hotchkiss
1876: Telephone: Alexander Graham Bell
1876: Carpet sweeper: Melville Bissell
1876: Gasoline carburettor: Daimler
1876: Loudspeaker: Alexander Graham Bell
1877: Stapler: Henry R. Heyl
1877: Induction motor: Nikola Tesla
1877: Phonograph: Thomas Alva Edison
1877: Electric welding: Elihu Thomson
1877: Twine Knotter: John Appleby
1877: Microphone: Emile Berliner
1878: Cathode ray tube: William Crookes
1878: Transparent film: Eastman Goodwin
1878: Rebreather: Henry Fleuss
1879: Pelton turbine: Lester Pelton
1879: Automobile engine: Karl Benz
1879: Cash register: James Ritty
1879: Automobile (Patent): George B. Seldon … note did NOT invent automobile

1880s
1880: Photophone: Alexander Graham Bell
1880: Roll film: George Eastman
1880: Safety razor: Kampfe Brothers
1880: Seismograph: John Milne
1881: Electric welding machine: Elihu Thomson
1881: Metal detector: Alexander Graham Bell
1882: Electric fan: Schuyler Skatts Wheeler
1882: Electric flat iron: Henry W. Seely
1883: Auto engine – compression ignition: Gottlieb Daimler
1883: two-phase (alternating current) induction motor: Nikola Tesla
1884: Linotype machine: Ottmar Mergenthaler
1884: Fountain pen: Lewis Waterman NB: Did not invent fountain pen, nor even “first practical fountain pen”. Started manufacture in 1883, too.
1884: Punched card accounting: Herman Hollerith
1884: Trolley car, (electric): Frank Sprague, Charles Van Depoele
1885: Automobile patent granted (internal combustion engine powered): Karl Benz first automobile put into production
1885: Automobile, differential gear: Karl Benz
1885: Maxim gun: Hiram Stevens Maxim
1885: Motor cycle: Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach
1885: Alternating current transformer: William Stanley
1886: Dishwasher: Josephine Cochrane
1886: Gasoline engine: Gottlieb Daimler
1886: Improved phonograph cylinder: Tainter & Bell
1887: Monotype machine: Tolbert Lanston
1887: Contact lens: Adolf E. Fick, Eugène Kalt and August Muller
1887: Gramophone record: Emile Berliner
1888: Polyphase AC Electric power system: Nikola Tesla (30 related patents.)
1888: Kodak hand camera: George Eastman
1888: Ballpoint pen: John Loud
1888: Pneumatic tube tire: John Boyd Dunlop
1888: Harvester-thresher: Matteson (?)
1888: Kinematograph: Augustin Le Prince
1888: Automobile Mobile Gasoline Engine: Siegfried Marcus
1889: Automobile, (steam): Sylvester Roper
1889: Automobile, (gasoline): Gottlieb Daimler

1890s
1890: Pneumatic Hammer: Charles B. King
1891: Automobile Storage Battery: William Morrison
1891: Zipper: Whitcomb L. Judson
1891: Carborundum: Edward G. Acheson
1892: Color photography: Frederic E. Ives
1892: Automatic telephone exchange (electromechanical): Almon Strowger – First in commercial service.
1893: Photographic gun: E.J. Marcy
1893: Carburetor: Donát Bánki and János Csonka
1893: Half tone engraving: Frederick Ives
1893: Wireless communication: Nikola Tesla
1894: Radio transmission: Jagdish Chandra Bose
1895: Phatoptiken projector: Woodville Latham
1895: Phantascope: C. Francis Jenkins
1895: Disposable blades: King C. Gillette
1895: Diesel engine: Rudolf Diesel
1895: Radio signals: Guglielmo Marconi
1895: Shredded Wheat: Henry Perky
1896: Vitascope: Thomas Armat
1896: Steam turbine: Charles Curtis
1896: Electric stove: William S. Hadaway
1897: Automobile, magneto: Robert Bosch
1897: Modern escalator: Jesse W. Reno
1898: Remote control: Nikola Tesla
1899: Iron-mercury coherer with telephone detector: Jagdish Chandra Bose
1899: Automobile self starter: Clyde J. Coleman
1899: Magnetic tape recorder: Valdemar Poulsen
1899: Gas turbine: Charles Curtis

20th century

1900s
1900: Rigid dirigible airship: Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin
1900: Self-heating can
1900s: Microwave optics: Jagdish Chandra Bose
1901: Improved wireless transmitter: Reginald Fessenden
1901: Instant coffee by Sartori Kato
1901: Mercury vapor lamp: Peter C. Hewitt
1901: Razor: King Camp Gillette
1901: Vacuum cleaner: Hubert Booth
1902: Ostwald process: Wilhelm Ostwald
1902: Radio magnetic detector: Guglielmo Marconi
1902: Air Conditioner: Willis Carrier
1902: Neon lamp: Georges Claude
1902: Radio telephone: Poulsen Reginald Fessenden
1902: Rayon cellulose ester: Arthur D. Little
1903: Electrocardiograph (EKG): Willem Einthoven
1903: Powered Monoplane: Richard Pearse
1903: Powered airplane: Wilbur Wright and Orville Wright
1903: Bottle machine: Michael Owens
1903: Windshield wiper: Mary Anderson
1904: Thermionic valve: John Ambrose Fleming
1904: Separable Attachment Plug: Harvey Hubbell
1904: Tractor: Benjamin Holt
1905: Radio tube diode: John Ambrose Fleming
1906: Sonar (first device): Lewis Nixon
1906: Triode amplifier: Lee DeForest
1907: Color photography: Auguste and Louis Lumiere
1907: Helicopter: Paul Cornu
1907: Radio amplifier: Lee DeForest
1907: Radio tube triode: Lee DeForest
1907: Vacuum cleaner, (electric): James Spangler
1907: Washing machine, (electric): Alva Fisher (Hurley Corporation)
1908: Cellophane: Jacques E. Brandenberger
1908: Geiger counter: Hans Geiger and Ernest Rutherford
1908: Gyrocompass: Hermann Anschütz-Kaempfe
1908: Haber process: Fritz Haber
1908: Tea bag: Thomas Sullivan
1909: Monoplane: Henry W. Walden
1909: Bakelite: Leo Baekeland
1909: Gun silencer: Hiram Percy Maxim

1910s
1910: Thermojet engine: Henri Coandă
1911: Gyrocompass: Elmer A. Sperry
1911: Automobile self starter (perfected): Charles F. Kettering
1911: Air conditioner: Willis Haviland Carrier
1911: Cellophane: Jacques Brandenburger
1911: Hydroplane: Glenn Curtiss
1912: Ecstacy: Merck
1912: Photography ;Lapse-time camera for use with plants:Arthur C. Pillsbury
1912: Regenerative radio circuit: Edwin H. Armstrong
1913: Cracking process for Gasoline: William M. Burten
1913: Crossword: Arthur Wynne
1913: Double acting wrench: Robert Owen
1913: Gyroscope stabilizer: Elmer A. Sperry
1913: Radio receiver, cascade tuning: Ernst Alexanderson
1913: Radio receiver, heterodyne: Reginald Fessenden
1913: Stainless steel: Harry Brearley
1913: X-Ray (improved): William D. Coolidge
1914: Radio transmitter triode mod.: Ernst Alexanderson
1914: Liquid fuel rocket: Robert Goddard
1914: Tank, military: Ernest Dunlop Swinton
1915: Tungsten Filament: Irving Langmuir
1915: Searchlight arc: Elmer A. Sperry
1915: Radio tube oscillator: Lee DeForest
1915: Pyrex: Corning Inc.
1916: Browning Gun: John Browning
1916: Thompson submachine gun: John T. Thompson
1916: Incandescent gas lamp: Irving Langmuir
1917: Sonar echolocation: Paul Langevin
1917: Cruise missile: Charles Kettering
1918: Superheterodyne receiver: Edwin H. Armstrong
1918: Interrupter gear: Anton Fokker
1918: Radio crystal oscillator: A.M. Nicolson
1918: Pop-up toaster: Charles Strite
1919: Flip-flop circuit: William Eccles and F. W. Jordan
1919: Theremin: Leon Theremin

1920s
1922: Radar: Robert Watson-Watt, A. H. Taylor, L. C. Young, Gregory Breit, Merle Antony Tuve
1922: Technicolor: Herbert T. Kalmus
1922: Water skiing: Ralph Samuelson
1922: Photography : First mass production photo machine:Arthur C. Pillsbury
1923: Arc tube: Ernst Alexanderson
1923: Sound film: Lee DeForest
1923: Television Electronic: Philo Farnsworth
1923: Wind tunnel: Max Munk
1923: Autogyro: Juan de la Cierva
1923: Xenon flash lamp: Harold Edgerton
1925: ultra-centrifuge: Theodor Svedberg – used to determine molecular weights
1925: Television Iconoscope: Vladimir Zworykin
1925: Television Nipkow System: C. Francis Jenkins
1925: Telephoto: C. Francis Jenkins
1926: Television Mechanical Scanner: John Logie Baird
1926: Aerosol spray: Rotheim
1927: Mechanical cotton picker: John Rust
1927: PEZ Candy: Eduard Haas III
1927: Photography:First microscopic motion picture camera: Arthur C. Pillsbury
1928: sliced bread: Otto Frederick Rohwedder
1928: Electric dry shaver: Jacob Schick
1928: Antibiotics: Alexander Fleming
1928: Preselector gearbox: Walter Gordon Wilson
1929: Electroencephelograph (EEG): Hans Berger
1929: Iconoscope: Vladimir Zworykin
1929: Photography:First X-Ray motion picture camera:Arthur C. Pillsbury
1920s: Band aid: Earle Dickson
1920s: Insulin
1920s: Mechanical potato peeler: Herman Lay

1930s
1930: Neoprene: Wallace Carothers
1930: Nylon: Wallace Carothers
1930: Photography: Underwater Motion Picture Camera: Arthur C. Pillsbury
1931: the Radio telescope: Karl Jansky Grote Reber
1932: Polaroid glass: Edwin H. Land
1935: microwave radar: Robert Watson-Watt
1935: Trampoline: George Nissen and Larry Griswold
1935: Spectrophotometer: Arthur C. Hardy
1935: Casein fiber: Earl Whittier Stephen
1935: Hammond Organ: Laurens Hammond
1936: Pinsetter (bowling): Gottfried Schmidt
1937: Turboprop engine: György Jendrassik
1937: Jet engine: Frank Whittle and Hans von Ohain
1938: Ballpoint pen: Laszlo Biro
1938: Fiberglass: Russell Games Slayter John H. Thomas
1939: FM radio: Edwin H. Armstrong
1939: Helicopter: Igor Sikorsky
1939: View-master: William Gruber
1939: Automated teller machine: Luther George Simjian

1940s
1942: Bazooka Rocket Gun: Leslie A. Skinner C. N. Hickman
1942: Undersea oil pipeline: Hartley, Anglo-Iranian, Siemens in Operation Pluto
1942: frequency hopping: Hedy Lamarr and George Antheil
1943: Aqua-Lung: Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Emile Gagnan
1944: Electron spectrometer: Deutsch Elliot Evans
1945: Nuclear weapons (but note: chain reaction theory: 1933)
1946: Microwave oven: Percy Spencer
1946: Mobile Telephone Service: AT&T and Southwestern Bell
1946: Computer: John Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert
1947: Transistor: William Shockley, Walter Brattain, John Bardeen
1947: Polaroid camera: Edwin Land
1948: Long Playing Record: Peter Carl Goldmark
1948: Holography: Dennis Gabor
1949: Atomic clocks

1950s
1951: Liquid Paper: Bette Nesmith Graham
1951: Nuclear power reactor: Walter Zinn
1952: Fusion bomb: Edward Teller and Stanislaw Ulam
1952: Hovercraft: Christopher Cockerell
1953: Maser: Charles Townes
1953: Medical ultrasonography
1954: Transistor radio (dated from the from Regency TR1) (USA)
1954: Geodesic dome: Buckminster Fuller
1955: Velcro: George de Mestral
1955: Hard Drive: Reynold Johnson with IBM
1956: Digital clock
1956: Optical fiber: Basil Hirschowitz, C. Wilbur Peters, and Lawrence E. Curtiss
1956: Videocassette recorder: Ampex
1957: Jet Boat: William Hamilton
1957: Bubble Wrap: Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes
1958: Integrated circuit: Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments, Robert Noyce at Fairchild Semiconductor
1958: Communications satellite: Kenneth Masterman-Smith
1959: Snowmobile: Joseph-Armand Bombardier

1960s
1960: Laser: Theodore Harold Maiman
1961: Optical disc: David Paul Gregg
1961: Cochlear implant: William House
1962: Light-emitting diode: Nick Holonyak
1962: Space observatory: Ball Brothers Aerospace Corporation [7]
1963: Computer mouse: Douglas Engelbart
1967: Automatic Teller Machine: John Shepherd-Barron
1967: Hypertext: Andries van Dam and Ted Nelson
1968: Video game console: Ralph H. Baer
1969: ARPANET (first packet switching network): United States Department of Defense

1970s
1971: E-mail: Ray Tomlinson
1971: Liquid Crystal Display: James Fergason
1971: Microprocessor
1971: Pocket calculator: Sharp Corporation
1971: Magnetic resonance imaging: Raymond V. Damadian
1971: Floppy Disk: David Noble with IBM
1972: Computed Tomography: Godfrey Newbold Hounsfield
1973: Ethernet: Bob Metcalfe and David Boggs
1973: Genetically modified organism: Stanley Norman Cohen and Herbert Boyer
1973: Personal computer: Xerox PARC
1974: Rubik’s Cube: Ernő Rubik
1974: Hybrid vehicle: Victor Wouk [8]
1975: Digital camera: Steven Sasson
1976: Gore-Tex fabric: W. L. Gore
1977: Personal stereo: Andreas Pavel
1977: Cellular mobile phone: Bell Labs [9]
1978: Spring loaded camming device: Ray Jardine
1970s: Leaf blower in Japan

1980s
1981: Scanning tunneling microscope: Gerd Karl Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer
1983: Camcorder: Sony
1985: Polymerase chain reaction: Kary Mullis
1986: Breadmaker
1989: World Wide Web: Tim Berners-Lee

1990s
1993: Global Positioning System: United States Department of Defense
1997: Non-mechanical Digital Audio Player: SaeHan Information Systems

3rd millennium

21st century

2000s
2001: Digital satellite radio
2001: Self-contained Artificial heart
2002: Scramjet: University of Queensland