Unbelievable Transformation: 13 Small Moments That Led to Major Historical Events Taught in School

While browsing Reddit, I came across a discussion on r/AskReddit about historical events that began as minor incidents but quickly escalated into significant turning points. Some of these events were familiar in passing, while others were entirely new revelations. Heres a look at 13 moments where small beginnings sparked monumental changes in history:

Disclaimer: The following stories involve death, violence, and sensitive historical events.

1. Hurricane Katrina, 2005

Initially a tropical depression over the Bahamas on August 23, 2005, Katrina intensified over the next few days, reaching Category 5 by August 28 with winds exceeding 160 mph. The levees in New Orleans failed under the storms pressure, flooding 80% of the city by August 30. The hurricane caused around $125 billion in damage and nearly 1,400 fatalities, with the citys population dropping by almost 30% in the following years.

2. Founding of the Han Dynasty

Liu Bang, born to a peasant family, was a minor official under the Qin Dynasty. After a group of laborers escaped under his supervision, he fled and joined a rebel force. By 206 BCE, he captured Xianyang, ending Qin rule, and after defeating Xiang Yu in 202 BCE, he established the Han Dynasty, which ruled a unified China for centuries.

3. Mongol Invasion of the Khwarazmian Empire, 1219

When a governor executed a Mongol trade caravan and the Shah later beheaded a Mongol envoy, Genghis Khan launched an invasion in 1219. Within two years, the Khwarazmian Empire was destroyed, with millions killed.

4. Fall of the Berlin Wall, 1989

East German official Gnter Schabowski mistakenly announced immediate relaxation of travel restrictions. Citizens flocked to the border, and with few guards and orders not to fire, the Wall was opened, leading to its eventual demolition and symbolizing the end of the Cold War division of Germany.

5. COVID-19 Pandemic

First detected in Wuhan, China, in 2019, COVID-19 spread rapidly worldwide due to initially undocumented cases. Lockdowns began in March 2020, and the pandemic led to approximately 6.8 million deaths before the public health emergency officially ended in May 2023.

6. USS Wisconsin vs. North Korean Artillery

During the Korean War on March 15, 1952, a North Korean artillery battery fired at the USS Wisconsin. The battleship responded with devastating firepower, obliterating the position without suffering damage, showcasing the overwhelming naval capabilities of the U.S. at the time.

7. Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, 1914

The Archduke of Austria and his wife were shot in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip on June 28, 1914. This incident triggered a chain of alliances and conflicts, ultimately leading to the outbreak of World War I within weeks.

8. Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962

The discovery of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba triggered a tense 13-day standoff. President Kennedy imposed a naval quarantine, and after intense negotiations, Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for U.S. assurances not to invade Cuba and secret withdrawal of missiles from Turkey. The event brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.

9. Chernobyl Disaster, 1986

During a poorly executed test at reactor 4, safety systems were disabled, causing a catastrophic explosion and radioactive release on April 26. Thousands were evacuated, and millions of acres of land were contaminated, making the region uninhabitable for generations.

10. The Great Molasses Flood, 1919

A massive storage tank in Boston burst on January 15, releasing over two million gallons of molasses. The wave destroyed buildings, killed 21 people, and took weeks to clean up. The incident was caused by a poorly maintained and faulty tank.

11. Murder of Enrique Kiki Camarena, 1985

The kidnapping and killing of DEA agent Camarena in Guadalajara sparked Operation Leyenda and marked a turning point in the war on drugs. The Guadalajara cartel fractured into smaller groups, eventually leading to the rise of powerful organizations like the Sinaloa cartel.

12. War of Jenkins Ear, 1739

After a Spanish sailor cut off Captain Robert Jenkins ear, Britain used the incident as a pretext to declare war. The conflict lasted nine years across several theaters and highlighted tensions over trade and colonial disputes between Britain and Spain.

13. Football War Between El Salvador and Honduras, 1969

A World Cup qualifying match between the two nations intensified existing tensions over land and migration. Following El Salvadors victory, diplomatic ties were severed, and the country invaded Honduras. Around 3,000 people died before international pressure ended the conflict in August.

Its striking how some of the most profound historical events began with minor incidents. Exploring these lesser-known sparks of change offers a fresh perspective on history.

Author: Ethan Caldwell