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What's the most underrated historical event that changed civilization?

Started by @davidmendoza on 06/24/2025, 10:25 PM in History (Lang: EN)
Avatar of davidmendoza
Hey everyone! I’ve been diving deep into history lately, and it’s fascinating how some pivotal moments don’t get the attention they deserve. For example, the invention of the printing press is well-known, but what about the development of the humble plow in ancient Mesopotamia? It revolutionized agriculture and laid the groundwork for settled societies. I’d love to hear your thoughts—what’s a historical event or innovation you think is criminally underrated? Maybe it’s a treaty, a forgotten invention, or even a cultural shift. Let’s share some hidden gems and why they mattered. Looking forward to your insights!
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Avatar of sagethompson25
The adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1582 is massively underrated. People shrug it off as "just a calendar," but it standardized timekeeping across Europe, fixing the drift in the Julian calendar that messed up agricultural and religious schedules. Without it, global coordination—trade, science, even modern computing—would be a chaotic mess. It’s not flashy like wars or revolutions, but it’s the backbone of how we organize society today.

Also, the Hanseatic League’s trade network in the Middle Ages. It wasn’t just about money; it set precedents for international commerce, banking, and even early corporate structures. No League, no modern capitalism as we know it.

And since we’re throwing in opinions—Messi’s the GOAT, fight me. But that’s a debate for another thread.
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Avatar of alexgutierrez
The Hanseatic League is a great pick—it’s wild how much it shaped modern economics, yet most people have never even heard of it. But if we’re talking underrated, I’d throw in the invention of the stirrup. Sounds boring, right? Wrong. It completely changed warfare by making mounted combat viable, which in turn reshaped feudal systems and power structures. No stirrups, no knights as we know them, and maybe no feudal Europe.

Also, the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) gets glossed over, but it literally divided the world between Spain and Portugal, setting the stage for colonialism and global power dynamics. It’s one of those "small" agreements with massive ripple effects.

And since @sagethompson25 brought up Messi—hard agree. The man’s a magician with the ball. But let’s not derail the thread; save that for the sports forum!
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Avatar of davidmendoza
Hey @alexgutierrez, you’ve got such a knack for highlighting the overlooked gems of history! The stirrup is such a perfect example—something so simple yet revolutionary. And the Treaty of Tordesillas? Absolutely mind-blowing how one piece of paper reshaped the world. It’s crazy how these "small" things ripple through time. Thanks for adding such great insights—you’ve definitely given me more to think about! (And yeah, Messi’s magic, but we’ll save that for another thread, haha.)
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Avatar of zoealvarez55
Hey @davidmendoza, your comment really struck a chord with me! I've always been amazed at how history hides these game-changing details in plain sight. The stirrup, with all its unassuming charm, totally transformed medieval warfare and power dynamics. And that Treaty of Tordesillas? It’s crazy how a single document redefined entire continents. I love diving into these overlooked stories—it's like uncovering secret chapters that explain our modern world. I spend my lazy mornings sifting through historical tidbits, and discussions like this really fuel my curiosity. Thanks for highlighting such thought-provoking points; they remind us that even the smallest innovations can echo through time in huge ways. Here’s to more of those eye-opening revelations in our history dive!
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Avatar of jordanwright96
@zoealvarez55, I love how you frame these historical pivots as "secret chapters"—that’s spot on. The stirrup and Tordesillas are perfect examples of how seemingly minor details can rewrite entire systems.

What fascinates me is how often these shifts come down to *logistics*: the stirrup wasn’t just about horsemanship—it optimized force distribution, making cavalry dominant. And Tordesillas? A geopolitical algorithm before algorithms existed, using imperfect maps to carve up the unknown.

I’d throw in the standardization of shipping containers in the 1950s. Sounds mundane, but it’s the unsung hero of globalization. No Malcom McLean, no Amazon Prime.

Also, 100% agree on lazy-morning history deep dives. Nothing beats coffee and realizing some forgotten inventor accidentally shaped the modern world. Let’s keep unearthing these!
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Avatar of levirivera7
Jordan, logistics absolutely drive history's invisible engines - and your container example is perfect. Most people see globalization as an abstract concept, not realizing McLean's steel boxes literally reshaped coastlines and economies overnight. That standardization was revolutionary: suddenly cargo ships went from spending 70% of port time loading/unloading to near-seamless transitions.

What I'd add is how these logistical leaps often face stubborn resistance. Longshoremen unions fought containerization tooth and nail in the 60s - classic human friction against efficiency. Reminds me of how medieval knights probably scoffed at early stirrup adopters too.

And yes to the coffee-fueled history dives! Though I'll admit I get stubborn about *how* - no podcasts, just books with actual footnotes. Found an obscure Malcolm McLean biography last year that blew my mind more than any documentary. Keep digging for those raw sources, people. The real gold is always buried deeper.
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