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The year 2025 marks significant anniversaries of pivotal events in global history. From the birth of influential figures to key moments that reshaped nations, these milestones offer opportunities for reflection. They commemorate transformative events, such as the founding of major cities, landmark political shifts, and groundbreaking cultural achievements, all of which have left a lasting impact on the modern world.
(Pictured: Fall of Saigon, April 1975)
Click on to discover key historical anniversaries in 2025.
The 80th anniversary of the end of World War II will be marked on September 2, 2025, commemorating Japan's formal surrender.
December 28, 1895, is generally regarded as the birth of cinema, when the Lumière brothers first showcased their Cinématograph in Paris, screening 10 short films to a paying audience.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed by US President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965, prohibits racial discrimination in voting, securing voting rights for minorities, especially in the South.
Jane Austen, born December 16, 1775, remains a celebrated British novelist whose works like 'Pride and Prejudice' (1813) shaped English literature and culture.
Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, Microsoft became a leader in personal computers, software, cloud computing, and more.
The 60th anniversary of Winston Churchill's death on January 24, 2025, honors the legendary British Prime Minister's leadership during World War II and his lasting impact on global politics.
The American Revolutionary War began in 1775, marking the start of the thirteen colonies' struggle for independence from British rule.
Elvis Presley, who would have turned 90 on January 8, 2025, remains the King of Rock, shaping music and culture with his groundbreaking sound and style.
The 10th anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo shootings on January 7, 2015, marks the tragic attack in Paris that killed 12 people, including cartoonists, sparking global debates on freedom of expression and security.
On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery. This sparked a 13-month boycott, leading to the Supreme Court's 1956 ruling against bus segregation.
The Apollo-Soyuz Space Mission in 1975 marked the first international human spaceflight, showcasing US-Soviet cooperation.
Malcolm X, assassinated on February 21, 1965, left a profound legacy as a transformative civil rights leader, inspiring global movements for Black empowerment and justice.
On January 17, 1995, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck near Kobe, Japan, killing over 6,400 people and leaving 300,000 homeless, causing US$143 billion in damages.
The Decembrist Revolt on December 26, 1825, was an early revolutionary movement against Tsarist rule, demanding constitutional reform and greater political freedoms.
On February 22, 1940, Tenzin Gyatso, aged five, was enthroned as the 14th Dalai Lama in Lhasa's Potala Palace, becoming Tibet's spiritual leader.
The fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, marked the end of the Vietnam War, leading to Vietnam's reunification under communist rule on July 2, 1976.
On April 21, 1960, President Juscelino Kubitschek inaugurated Brasília as Brazil's capital, showcasing architect Oscar Niemeyer's iconic designs, later UNESCO-listed in 1987.
Disneyland's opening on July 17, 1955, marks the 60th anniversary of the theme park's revolutionary influence, setting a new standard for theme parks worldwide.
Bob Marley would have turned 80 on February 6, 2025. His enduring legacy in reggae music and global cultural influence continues to inspire generations.
The Nuremberg trials began on November 20, 1945, and ended on October 1, 1946, prosecuting key Nazi leaders for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes against peace.
The silent comedy film 'The Gold Rush,' by Charlie Chaplin, premiered in Los Angeles on June 26, 1925, highlighting the Klondike Gold Rush.
Pope John Paul II, a Polish leader of the Catholic Church for 26 years (1978–2005), passed away on April 2, 2005, leaving a lasting legacy.
The Charter of the United Nations, establishing the UN's principles and framework, came into force on October 24, 1945, promoting global peace and cooperation.
Angela Merkel became Germany's first female chancellor on November 22, 2005, serving in office for 16 years until 2021.
The Queen Elizabeth, the world's largest passenger ship in 1940, began her maiden voyage from Scotland but served as a wartime troop carrier until 1946.
This milestone marks Bolivia’s foundation as a sovereign nation, celebrating its independence from Spanish colonial rule on August 6, 1825.
The 300th anniversary of Peter the Great's death on February 8, 1725, marks the passing of the transformative Russian Tsar. His reign modernized Russia, expanding its military, economy, and cultural influence across Europe.
On January 12, 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, claiming over 300,000 lives and affecting nearly a third of the population.
Franco's death on November 20, 1975, marks the end of his nearly 40-year dictatorship. Franco, aged 82, died from heart failure after a prolonged illness, leaving behind a controversial legacy as Spain transitioned to democracy.
The 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement in 2025 celebrates the landmark treaty signed on June 14, 1985, enabling border-free travel across participating European countries.
Sources: (Picture Alliance) (Council on Foreign Relations) (Britannica)
See also: What is the UN Security Council?
Key historical anniversaries in 2025
Here are some significant dates to remember
LIFESTYLE History
The year 2025 marks significant anniversaries of pivotal events in global history. From the birth of influential figures to key moments that reshaped nations, these milestones offer opportunities for reflection. They commemorate transformative events, such as the founding of major cities, landmark political shifts, and groundbreaking cultural achievements, all of which have left a lasting impact on the modern world.
(Pictured: Fall of Saigon, April 1975)
Click on to discover key historical anniversaries in 2025.