Since the dawn of civilization, a lot of important things have happened. Here are lists of about the many winding routes we took to get where we are today.

Historical Contexts

Weird History

If you weren't living in the 21st century, when and where would you live? There are many advantages to living in the 21st century, but there are also&nbsp;forgotten <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/which-era-would-you-want-to-live-in/jacob-shelton?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">eras of history</a> full of peace, rapid cultural&nbsp;building, and prosperity.&nbsp;Some people choose their&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/which-era-would-you-want-to-live-in/jacob-shelton">favorite historical era</a> based on their personality - but what was really the&nbsp;best time to be alive? And could the perks of a bygone era&nbsp;convince you to hop into&nbsp;a time machine?&nbsp;It is important to note that while an era might have brought amazing experiences to some people, those opportunities often came with&nbsp;pain and persecution for&nbsp;others. Still, there are surprising times and places where certain groups, like women, may have had even more rights than they do in Western society today.So, what was the best time in history to live in?

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What Were The Best Times In History To Be Alive?

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What Were The Best Times To Be Alive In History?

Susanna Olson

Lists about memorable candidates, jawdropping campaigns, and fascinating election facts in the U.S. and around the world.

Election Season

2020 Election

Every four years, America stays up way past its bedtime to stare at maps and charts telling us, brightly and gradually, who will be the next leader of the free world. But how do they count votes on election night, really? How are all those votes counted so quickly? Like so many other aspects of politics in America, the answer is: it&rsquo;s complicated.

The truth is that methods vary wildly from state-to-state, meaning not all voting or vote-counting is created equal. It&rsquo;s an imperfect system, which is why non-profits such as <a href="https://www.verifiedvoting.org/">Verified Voting</a> have made it their mission to cut down on election night chaos. Read on to find out how the votes are counted in US elections and why things don&rsquo;t always go smoothly.

Make your voice heard for the 2020 elections.&nbsp;<a href="https://headcount.turbovote.org/?r=ranker" target="_blank">REGISTER&nbsp;TO VOTE</a>!

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Election Night Behind the Scenes: How Votes Are Counted and Results Reported

Election Night Behind the Scenes: How Votes Are Counted and Reported

Kellen Perry

What's really important? What's just fake news? Vote (on these lists and also in real elections) to make your voice heard.

Current Issues

Money

An <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/times-in-history-the-economy-almost-collapsed/justin-andress" target="_blank">economy</a> is the lifeblood of a country.&nbsp;Whether you're a&nbsp;homeowner, a union worker, or a lawmaker,&nbsp;current economic issues will always directly affect your livelihood. From world&nbsp;issues to debates within the United States, what matters to you most in terms of the economy?&nbsp;In the past few years, America has seen an increase in job growth, yet homelessness and affordable housing are still thriving issues we're struggling&nbsp;to combat. Causes of poverty are still unclear. <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/social-issues-in-america-that-you-care-about-most/mike-rothschild" target="_blank">Social issues</a> like gender inequality feed into the income gap between men and women. These and other debates continue to dominate the media.&nbsp;What are the reasons for income inequality and how do we agree, as a nation of millions, how&nbsp;money should be allocated? Read through this list of the&nbsp;biggest economic problems we face today and&nbsp;upvote the current financial issues you think we should be prioritizing.&nbsp;

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The Most Important Economic Issues Today

Lauren Slocum

History

Wars rarely have one single cause. Often, the outbreak of a conflict results from multiple grievances that have taken shape over time. Differing beliefs, competing interests, and territorial disputes fester, becoming increasingly infuriating and unacceptable. Blood begins to boil, tempers grow short, and, in a single moment, one small mistake or affront&nbsp;unleashes the frustration and anger that&#39;s been building for years.&nbsp;

Minor incidents that <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/foods-that-started-conflicts/laura-allan" target="_blank">kick off major conflicts</a> may seem insignificant on the surface - but they&#39;re really nothing more than <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/biggest-overreactions-in-history/setareh-janda" target="_blank">breaking points</a>. Vote up the big historical conflicts that stemmed from seemingly small mistakes and left you saying, &quot;Well, that escalated quickly!&quot;

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12 Major Historical Conflicts Caused By Seemingly Minor Incidents

Melissa Sartore

Play That Song

Whether written with the intent to uplift, inspire, comfort, or draw awareness, musical lyrics have the power to conjure deep emotions and a sense of connection among listeners. If written well, even <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/english-songs-with-foreign-languages/jason-f-collins">song lyrics in other languages </a>can get stuck in our heads for days at a time.&nbsp;And while we may know every word of our favorite songs, we often don't realize that there are surprisingly <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/stories-behind-song-lyrics/lauren-glen">unexpected stories</a> behind the lyrics we so easily recognize. Whether it's an upbeat tune or a dramatically somber melody, songwriters often draw on historical references to inspire the themes of the ballads they write. Historical references in songs from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/historical-references-in-beatles-songs/gordon-cameron">The Beatles</a> to The Beastie Boys, here are some of the most notable songs with historical references we didn't catch before.&nbsp;

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12 Songs With Historical References We Didn’t Catch Before

Song

Real History References In Famous Pop Songs

Lauren Glen

Lists for film buffs who want to know everything on and off the screen.

Cinephiles Only

Entertainment

As the medium most associated with modernity, cinema has often been at the forefront of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/movies-made-before-cgi/anncasano">technological advancements</a>. The introduction of sound, color, widescreen, and streaming are all notable historic “firsts.” Although many of these breakthroughs are of a more serious nature, some movies have become notable for far less lofty reasons.Odder movie firsts in history, like the Wilhelm scream, offer a fuller, richer, and funnier appreciation of how any film can be groundbreaking.

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15 Odd 'Firsts' In Movie History We Never Would Have Thought Of

Film

Bizarre Firsts On Film

Thomas West

Historical Figures

If you come at the king, you’d best not miss, and if you do succeed, you’d better be ready to look over your shoulder for the rest of your days. Even when a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/why-do-military-coups-happen/megan-summers">conspiracy to topple a king</a> actually succeeds, that doesn’t mean things worked out for the perpetrators. Regicide often comes with unforeseen costs.&nbsp;This collection looks at the times when historical backstabbers got way more than they bargained for.&nbsp;

Genre

Nerd Audience

10 Historical Backstabs That Backfired Big Time

M. Muir

US History

There are<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/origins-of-easter/emily-mast"> holidays for just about everything</a> nowadays, from National Hot Dog Day to Super Mario Day. However, there are only 11 federally-recognized holidays in the United States (plus one more in a year with a presidential election).&nbsp;The oldest holidays on this list were ratified more than 150 years ago, while the newest is just a few years old. While you're likely familiar with most of the holidays on this list, do you know where they came from? How they came to be?&nbsp;While some holidays represent celebrations of people or events, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/christian-holidays-with-pagan-origins/ryan-sargent">others were born</a> out of darker origins. Who knew that Labor Day came to be after dozens of deaths from strikes and riots? And while some of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/history-of-valentines-day/tracey-graham">America's holidays</a> can be controversial, some groups are working to change how we view and think about these days rooted in centuries of tradition.&nbsp;

How Holidays In The United States Actually Came To Be

The Real History Of Holidays In The U.S.

Emily Pogue

Current Politics

Educational issues are a hot topic of debate across America and worldwide. Our school systems are in a constant state of flux and reform, so there is never a shortage of delicate,&nbsp;complex issues worthy of discussion and debate. Providing solid education - from Kindergarten to college - is obviously vital for the future. A well-informed populace is necessary to move humanity forward in terms of social progress, technology, medicine, and more. This is often why education policy issues tend to trigger passionate arguments. We all have an investment in the future, and we all want children and young adults to receive the best educational opportunities possible.&nbsp;Some problems with education&nbsp;reflect current <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/political-issues-that-matter-the-most/mike-rothschild" target="_blank">political issues</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/social-issues-in-america-that-you-care-about-most/mike-rothschild" target="_blank">social issues</a>, with problems like income inequality, gender divides, and civil rights&nbsp;issues bleeding into our school systems. The ongoing&nbsp;gun debate affects school safety. The rising cost of higher education shows the increasing class divide in America. Even though&nbsp;parents, students, faculty,&nbsp;and political&nbsp;parties can't agree on how to fix these current problems, we can all agree that reforms around safety, testing, and funding&nbsp;are necessary as we race toward a more technologically-advanced and populated economy.&nbsp;What's wrong with education programs today?&nbsp;Which issues need to be tackled immediately? On-campus safety issues? Bullying? Loan-forgiveness?&nbsp;Below is a list of issues surrounding education in America.&nbsp;Vote up the issues you find the most important and urgent.&nbsp;

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The Most Important Education Issues Today

Single issue voting is something that people in the 21st century are far too comfortable with. Single issue politics get us nowhere in terms of a better and more responsible global community, and voting for one thing, or holding out your vote because there isn’t a candidate talking about your pet subject, can actually work against your cause in the long run. To examine the types of single issues voters pay too much attention to, keep reading and think about the issues that you can’t stop focusing on.Because life is unfair, there are some <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/social-issues-in-america-that-you-care-about-most/mike-rothschild">important social issues</a> that are barely acknowledged in our current political landscape, while there are a few single issue groups with too much sway. In their case, the squeakiest wheels get the grease, but are those squeaky wheels dragging down the democratic system? Or by focusing on those single issues are we ensuring that they’re taken care of and we can move on to the next issue in the following election cycle? Unfortunately it’s more of the former than the latter, and we want to know what single issues you think taking up too much of the focus.Vote up the single issues in politics that people pay too much attention to.&nbsp;

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Care to Declare

The Most Overblown Single Issues That Single Issue Voters Vote on

Polarizing Single Issue Groups in American Politics

Jacob Shelton

Protesting has never been about being liked. Whether peaceful protests were being led by Dr. King, or furious protests were descending into leaderless, lawless riot, they’ve always been about sending a message. But in an age where everyone so desperately wants to be liked, acceptable forms of protest are now something that people are discussing. Running parallel to this is the need to appeal to everyone. How is that possible when the entire point of a protest is to air a grievance in the hope of creating a systemic change?These days in particular, seemingly every time someone protests - whether it's over racial bias in policing or the right to bear arms - whole swaths of America are offended by the very act of protesting.&nbsp; So how are Americans protest in order to avoid being immediately written off by the very people they're hoping will rally to their cause?Vote on the forms of political self-expression that are most likely to have a real impact on policy in America today.

How Should Americans Protest if They Actually Want to Make a Difference?

Acceptable Forms of Protest for Americans Without Rioting

The politics of Generation Z –&nbsp;also known as the&nbsp;iGeneration and Post-Millennials –&nbsp;has been a topic of discussion making its rounds through major media outlets and the internet alike. Following the mass shooting at their high school, students from Marjory Stoneman&nbsp;Douglas High School, along with teens and individuals from other communities, organized the March For Our Lives protests for gun control on March 24, 2018. This has many wondering: is gun control the definitive political issue for today's youth?Maybe that question would be best answered by the youths themselves. If you're a member of the iGen, and you haven't yet turned 18, what social issues matter most to you? Which ones will you prioritize when you can vote?

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What Social Issues Does Generation Z Care The Most About?

Ryleigh Nucilli

Lists about period between the 15th and 18th centuries, when worldwide exploration, colonialism, and mercantilism brought the first periods of globalization.

The Age of Discovery

Lists about real explorers and expeditions and fictional depictions of fast-paced, dangerous adventures in film, TV, anime, literature, and other media.

Choose Your Own Adventure

Exploring the thrilling, dangerous, often tragic expeditions of some of the world's most determined adventurers.

The Ends of the Earth

&nbsp;

History is just FULL of doomed expeditions.&nbsp;In any venture into the unknown, there is risk and a large factor in your success is luck. But in these cases, especially in the cases of <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/andree-expedition/kellie-kreiss" target="_blank">the Arctic</a> and Antarctic efforts &ndash; planning, flexibility, and the ability to think quickly were essential.

Lacking those things... you get doom. You get these. Read and wonder how these errors could have been made &ndash; knowing as these men HAD to know &ndash; that a single mistake could cost lives. And they did.

Finally, I just want to note that while I write with a lot of sarcasm and mock many of these terrible decisions, I totally respect that people died here. These men may have made mistakes, maybe were shortsighted, maybe should never have been leaders or given funds or allowed to hold other peoples&#39; lives in their hands... but they were explorers. It&#39;s hard not to respect their desire to discover. (I also give Wikipedia cred for some of my research).

What are doomed expeditions? Take a look here and see for yourself.

10 of the Most Doomed Expeditions in History

Event

Doomed Expeditions | List of Failed Expeditions

analise.dubner

Sometimes, a chain of events unfolds so dramatically that you have to stop and marvel, &quot;Wow, that escalated quickly!&quot; Historical events are no different - some of them moved from zero to 60 in a relatively short time period. Whether it was a war that started <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/dumbest-things-countries-have-fought-over/stephanieschoppert" target="_blank">due to&nbsp;a relatively&nbsp;minor issue</a>, a religious transformation that happened thanks to a single text, or a scientific advancement that emerged in a surprisingly short amount of time, many past events began in one place and ended up somewhere completely different.

These <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/fascinating-todayilearned-history-facts/garri-chaverst" target="_blank">history facts</a> demonstrate that nothing is inevitable, and that the past can have twists and turns like an engaging thriller. So read on and discover some events from the past that escalated very, very quickly.

12 Times In History When Things Escalated Quickly

Times In History When Things Escalated Quickly

Setareh Janda

Historical Facts

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/elon-musk-opinion/mallory-weiler">Elon Musk’s announcement of his intent to buy Twitter</a> was seen by many as the ultimate act of pettiness. The billionaire had already been quite outspoken about his dissatisfaction with the company’s decision to take down several of his tweets, as well as what he viewed as its repression of free speech.&nbsp;However, Musk’s use of his power and authority in pursuit of a petty power grab is not the only instance of such behavior. In fact, history is full of people who have, for largely petty reasons, decided to use their power to strike back against those whom they feel have aggrieved them in some way. These actions&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/medieval-revenge-brutal/melissa-sartore">are often quite brutal</a>, and in some cases, have come to have far-reaching consequences.

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Petty Power Moves From History That Made Us Say 'Dang!'

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What's even going on right now? How's everybody holding up?

School Daze

Customs & Rituals

High school is a unique period in the life of an American teenager, rife with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/outdated-traditions/elle-tharp">age-old traditions</a>. Like the high school experience itself, some of these traditions are beloved while others are loathed. Yet, have you ever stopped to wonder <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/history-of-funeral-traditions/jason-f-collins">why something is a tradition</a>, or when it became one?Read on to learn everything about the origins of US high school traditions, and vote up the facts that have you feeling nostalgic for high school.&nbsp;

The Origins Of 12 US High School Traditions

Origins Of High School Traditions

Jason F. Collins

Event lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for hundreds of event lists and rankings.

Event lists at Ranker - the ultimate source for top 10, top 100, best of, funny, factual lists of any kind

Event lists on Ranker

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Events

Written Language

Medicine

Electric Lights

Poverty

Education

Ineffective Government

Adolf Hitler

Daniel Camargo Barbosa

Josef Fritzl

Being Happy

Enjoying Life

Being Healthy

Whatcha thinkin' about? Instead of pennies for your thoughts, here are lists of interesting things to ponder while you gaze at your navel and explore the depths of your true self.

Things to Think About

Popular Opinion

More than ever, Americans have their finger on the pulse of social issues - and they aren't shy about expressing it.&nbsp;Social media has become a forum, allowing more Americans than ever to openly express&nbsp;their opinions about current events. While polling has the <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/189158/economy-tops-americans-minds-important-problem.aspx">economy in general</a> as the most vital social issue in America, it's far from the only thing&nbsp;that has&nbsp;Americans paying attention. If op-eds, <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/politics-tv-shows-and-series/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">political talk shows</a>, and topics trending on social media&nbsp;are any indication, Americans today care about an incredibly&nbsp;diverse range of topics. We now live in an age where anyone can have their voice heard with just a few clicks. This means previously overlooked&nbsp;sociological concerns are ripe for examination - and some&nbsp;healthy debate.&nbsp;What popular social issues do you care most about? There are those issues that hit closest to home. <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-important-education-issues/lauren-slocum" target="_blank">Educational issues</a> like student debt are a major concern. Civil rights, poverty, and access to affordable housing are current concerns that affect many in a direct, immediate fashion.&nbsp;Other societal problems represent larger - and often more existential - concerns.&nbsp;The environment, climate change, and the ethics of&nbsp;scientific research affect us all, but their implications are often felt in an indirect fashion. Nevertheless,&nbsp;you may still feel a passionate dedication to these types of causes. Here you will find examples of major social issues&nbsp;as well as names of types of different challenges society faces.&nbsp;Where do you stand on the list of current social issues below? How do you think the United States,&nbsp;and the world in general,&nbsp;are doing at&nbsp;addressing them? Vote up the social issues that mean the most to you.&nbsp;

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The Social Issues You Care About Most

Social Issues in America | List of Contemporary Social Problems

Mike Rothschild

Inventions

What is mankind's greatest invention? This list includes some of the most innovative, ground breaking inventions ever. Each invention listed here in some way changed history, altering the way we live our lives. Some inventions, like medicine, help to extend our lives and others, like the wheel, changed the way we get around, transport goods and just generally do anything. Which of mankind's inventions do you believe is the most important? Time to vote, and be sure to rerank this list in any order you like. The most famous inventors&nbsp;in history have made contributions that stand the test of time. From electricity to fire to telephones, mankind's greatest inventions and discoveries help define who we are today. Can any of you argue that the computer is not one of the most notable inventions ever? Certainly not, given that the computer is how many of you are reading this list right now. Of course, everyone at one time or another has an idea for a new invention. Sometimes inventors with the best of intentions wind up <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/13-inventors-foiled-by-their-own-inventions-v1/lons" target="_blank">foiled by their own creations</a>. And, in case you think all great inventions were created by men, think again: This list of <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/history_s-most-under-appreciated-female-inventors/brooke-wilson" target="_blank">history's most under-appreciated female inventors</a> will set you straight.

What Is Mankind's Greatest Invention?

Ranker Community

Lists of thought-provoking ideas and ways to improve your life.

#Goals to Shoot For

The many wonderful things that make life worth living. 

All Good Things

poll

This list of the most important life goals is a summary of the personal qualities that most people would include on a life goals list. These are some good life goals to strive towards and maybe some life objectives that you don't find as relevant as other, more necessary life goals. Whatever your objective in life may be, this bucket list should help give some examples of good life goals.Whether you're making a list of goals to redirect your life or perhaps to correct it, this list is here to help you decide what the most important goals in life should be for you. Whether you think having close relationships is the most important, or you've decided that fiscal responsibility is top priority, there are dozens of life objectives to use in deciding what you should be striving for.What are the most important life goals? What personal goals should I set? What are the best goals for a life goals list? This list of the most relevant life goals is here as a jumping off point to compile your own life goals list. It's by no means a complete list of every necessary life goal, so if something is missing that is important when seeking to lead a happy and fulfilling life, make sure to add it so others can regard it in their list of life goals.For some perspective on others who have looked to set good life objectives for themselves, check out <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/notable-and-famous-attitude-quotes/reference">notable quotes about attitude</a> to get a positive attitude check.

The Most Important Life Goals

Most Important Life Goals | List of Popular Personal Goals

Samantha Dillinger

When discussing the worst people in history, it's a somber reflection on the depths of human evil. From tyrants to serial killers, these figures have left indelible marks on the world through their heinous actions. While the term "worst" might be subjective, there's no denying the immense impact these individuals have had on countless lives and historical events.Consider Adolf Hitler, the man behind the atrocities of the Holocaust and the driving force of World War II. His actions led to the suffering and death of millions. Then there's Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the architect of the September 11 attacks, whose plans caused one of the most devastating terror attacks in modern history. Dennis Rader, infamously known as the BTK Killer, haunted Wichita, Kansas for decades with his gruesome murders, embodying the kind of evil only seen in horror films.Curious to know where these terrible people rank among their peers? Scroll through our list and cast your vote on who you believe are the most evil individuals to have ever lived. Engage with this eye-opening compilation and help shape the understanding of bad people in history who have, unfortunately, left their dark legacies behind.