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How to date a globe

Ever wondered when was your old globe made? Delve into our timeline spanning from the 1850s to the 1960s, offering insights into the historical events that shaped the map of the world. While dating globes can be an enjoyable pursuit, pinpointing the exact year of production can prove challenging. Keep in mind many references on your globe may be outdated, making it difficult to determine its precise age.
Go to guide ↓
1850
1860
1870
1880
1890
1900
1910
1920
1930
1940
1950
1960
1970

How to start

Does Germany have its present day boundaries? The globe was made after 1945
Is Istanbul named Constantinople? The globe was made before 1930
Does Austria-Hungary exist? The globe was made before 1918
Can you see a railway linking Moscow and Vladivostok? The globe was made after 1904
Does Bolivia have access to Pacific ocean? The globe was made before 1883
1851
Railway from St. Petersburg to Moscow opened
Railway from St. Petersburg to Moscow opened
1853
Prince Patrick and Eglinton Islands discovered
Prince Patrick and Eglinton Islands discovered
Washington Territory emerged from Oregon Territory
Washington Territory emerged from Oregon Territory
1854
U.S. bought a land south of Gila River from Mexico
U.S. bought a land south of Gila River from Mexico
Kansas and Nebraska Territory appeared on map
Kansas and Nebraska Territory appeared on map
Kennedy channel north-west of Greenland discovered
Kennedy channel north-west of Greenland discovered
1855
Victoria Falls discovered
Victoria Falls discovered
1856
Van Diemen's Land officially renamed to Tasmania
Van Diemen's Land officially renamed to Tasmania
1858
lake Tanganyika and Victoria discovered
lake Tanganyika and Victoria discovered
the eastern half of Minnesota Territory becomes Minnesota
the eastern half of Minnesota Territory becomes Minnesota
1860
Russia gains the territory between Amur and Ussuri river from China
Russia gains the territory between Amur and Ussuri river from China
Tuscany becomes part of Italy
Tuscany becomes part of Italy
1861
Colorado Territory emerged
Colorado Territory emerged
1862
Nile flowing from Victoria lake confirmed
Nile flowing from Victoria lake confirmed
1863
Valparaiso-Santiago railway begins operation
Valparaiso-Santiago railway begins operation
1864
lake Albert (Luta Nzige) discovered
lake Albert (Luta Nzige) discovered
1866
Kingdom of Lombardy becomes part of Italy
Kingdom of Lombardy becomes part of Italy
1867
Alaska purchased from Russia
Alaska purchased from Russia
discovery of Lakes Mweru, Bangweulu and the Lualaba
discovery of Lakes Mweru, Bangweulu and the Lualaba
1868
Austro-Hungarian Empire established
Austro-Hungarian Empire established
Yeddo (or Edo) renamed to Tokio
Yeddo (or Edo) renamed to Tokio
1869
East and west coast of U.S. connected by first trans continental railway
East and west coast of U.S. connected by first trans continental railway
Denmark cedes the Nicobar Islands to the United Kingdom
Denmark cedes the Nicobar Islands to the United Kingdom
Suez canal completed
Suez canal completed
1870
east coast of Greenland from 74°18’ to 77°01’N explored
east coast of Greenland from 74°18’ to 77°01’N explored
1871
German Empire estabished
German Empire estabished
British Columbia joins Canada
British Columbia joins Canada
Italy unification completed
Italy unification completed
1873
Pest and Buda cities merge into the Budapest
Pest and Buda cities merge into the Budapest
Prince Edward island joins Canada
Prince Edward island joins Canada
Franz Josef land discovered and named
Franz Josef land discovered and named
1876
Lake Edward found to be a separated from Lake Albert
Lake Edward found to be a separated from Lake Albert
1877
Romania independent from Turkey
Romania independent from Turkey
1878
Serbia and Montenegro independent from Turkey
Serbia and Montenegro independent from Turkey
Cyprus becomes a protectorate of UK
Cyprus becomes a protectorate of UK
1879
Possible to travel from Christchurch to Invercargill by train
Possible to travel from Christchurch to Invercargill by train
1881
France established a protectorate in Tunisia
France established a protectorate in Tunisia
1882
Turkey loses territory of Egypt
Turkey loses territory of Egypt
1883
Bolivia loses access to the Pacific ocean
Bolivia loses access to the Pacific ocean
discovery of Lake Rukwa
discovery of Lake Rukwa
1884
German colonies in West Africa and Pacific established
German colonies in West Africa and Pacific established
Greenwich meridian established as a prime meridian
Greenwich meridian established as a prime meridian
1885
German East Africa established by a treaty
German East Africa established by a treaty
independent Congo State established
independent Congo State established
Canadian Pacific Railway connecting Montreal with Vancouver finalised
Canadian Pacific Railway connecting Montreal with Vancouver finalised
1888
Christmas Island claimed by the United Kingdom
Christmas Island claimed by the United Kingdom
Lake Rudolph (Lake Turkana) "discovered" by Europeans
Lake Rudolph (Lake Turkana) "discovered" by Europeans
1889
Dakota Territory divided into North Dakota and South Dakota
Dakota Territory divided into North Dakota and South Dakota
French Polynesia established as a French protectorate
French Polynesia established as a French protectorate
railway between Darwin and Pine Creek operational
railway between Darwin and Pine Creek operational
1890
Idaho and Wyoming territories become states
Idaho and Wyoming territories become states
1891
construction of Trans-Siberian railway begun
construction of Trans-Siberian railway begun
1892
Independence Bay and Peary Land in the northern Greenland discovered and named
Independence Bay and Peary Land in the northern Greenland discovered and named
1894
Discovery of Lake Kivu
Discovery of Lake Kivu
1895
Taiwan (Formosa) becomes part of Japan
Taiwan (Formosa) becomes part of Japan
French West Africa established
French West Africa established
1896
Utah territory becomes Utah
Utah territory becomes Utah
1897
Railway between Moscow and Archangelsk completed
Railway between Moscow and Archangelsk completed
Railway between Cape Town and Bulawayo completed
Railway between Cape Town and Bulawayo completed
Railway between Khartoum and Wadi Halfa completed
Railway between Khartoum and Wadi Halfa completed
1898
U.S. gains Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines and annexes Republic of Hawaii
U.S. gains Guam, Puerto Rico and the Philippines and annexes Republic of Hawaii
railway between Wadi Halfa and Khartoum completed
railway between Wadi Halfa and Khartoum completed
1899
Wake island claimed by U.S.
Wake island claimed by U.S.
Anglo-Egyptian Sudan established
Anglo-Egyptian Sudan established
1900
American Samoa acquired by the U. S.
American Samoa acquired by the U. S.
1901
Cuba becomes independent from U.S.
Cuba becomes independent from U.S.
Lake Victoria connected with Mombasa by railway
Lake Victoria connected with Mombasa by railway
1902
discovery of Axel Heiberg, Ellef Ringnes, Amund Ringnes and King Christian Islands
discovery of Axel Heiberg, Ellef Ringnes, Amund Ringnes and King Christian Islands
1903
disputed Alaskan south-eastern flank officialy part of U.S.
disputed Alaskan south-eastern flank officialy part of U.S.
Bolivia loses its north-western flank to Brazil
Bolivia loses its north-western flank to Brazil
Panama separates from Colombia
Panama separates from Colombia
1904
Trans-Siberian railway begun operating
Trans-Siberian railway begun operating
1905
south part of Sakhalin added to Japan
south part of Sakhalin added to Japan
Norway separates from Sweden
Norway separates from Sweden
Korea becomes protectorate of Japan
Korea becomes protectorate of Japan
1907
Indian territory and Oklahoma territory become Oklahoma
Indian territory and Oklahoma territory become Oklahoma
1908
Congo Free State becomes a Belgium colony
Congo Free State becomes a Belgium colony
1909
Bergen and Oslo (Christiania) connected by railway
Bergen and Oslo (Christiania) connected by railway
railway from Luanda to Malange (Angola) completed
railway from Luanda to Malange (Angola) completed
1910
Korea annexed by Japan
Korea annexed by Japan
French Equatorial Africa established
French Equatorial Africa established
1911
Turkey loses territory of northern Libya
Turkey loses territory of northern Libya
Morocco becomes a French protectorate
Morocco becomes a French protectorate
Mongolia independent from China
Mongolia independent from China
France cedes territory to German Cameroon
France cedes territory to German Cameroon
1912
Albania independent
Albania independent
Lagos - Kano railway amalgamated
Lagos - Kano railway amalgamated
1913
Turkey looses Balkan territories
Turkey looses Balkan territories
1914
Saint Petersburg changed name to Petrograd (until 1924)
Saint Petersburg changed name to Petrograd (until 1924)
Germany lost Togo in Africa to Britain and France
Germany lost Togo in Africa to Britain and France
Severnaya Zemlya discovered
Severnaya Zemlya discovered
Cyprus becomes UK colony
Cyprus becomes UK colony
1915
German South West Africa surrendered to Western countries (admitted by Germany from 1918)
German South West Africa surrendered to Western countries (admitted by Germany from 1918)
1916
Kamerun as a German colony disestablished
Kamerun as a German colony disestablished
1917
Finland independent from Russia
Finland independent from Russia
Trans-Australian Railway was completed
Trans-Australian Railway was completed
USA purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark
USA purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark
Murmansk (Alexandrovsk) reached by railway
Murmansk (Alexandrovsk) reached by railway
1918
Austria-Hungarian empire ceases to exist
Austria-Hungarian empire ceases to exist
Austria, Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia established as independent countries
Austria, Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia established as independent countries
1919
end of German rule in German West-Africa
end of German rule in German West-Africa
Ireland claims independency from UK
Ireland claims independency from UK
Pressburg renamed to Bratislava
Pressburg renamed to Bratislava
1920
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania independent
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania independent
British East Africa becomes Kenya
British East Africa becomes Kenya
Danzig becomes capital of the city state Free City of Danzig (until 1939)
Danzig becomes capital of the city state Free City of Danzig (until 1939)
1921
Soviet Russia invades and occupies Georgia
Soviet Russia invades and occupies Georgia
territories of Georgia and Armenia ceded to Turkey
territories of Georgia and Armenia ceded to Turkey
1922
establishment of Soviet Union
establishment of Soviet Union
Iraq established under British rule
Iraq established under British rule
1923
the borders of modern Turkey are established
the borders of modern Turkey are established
Fairbanks - Seward railway completed
Fairbanks - Seward railway completed
railway from Casablanca to Rabat completed
railway from Casablanca to Rabat completed
1924
Petrograd (formerly St. Petersburg) renamed to Leningrad
Petrograd (formerly St. Petersburg) renamed to Leningrad
UK cedes a portion of Jubaland to Italy
UK cedes a portion of Jubaland to Italy
Urga becomes Ulaanbaatar
Urga becomes Ulaanbaatar
Dakar - Bamako railway completed
Dakar - Bamako railway completed
1925
Christiania renamed to Oslo
Christiania renamed to Oslo
eastern borders of Libya and British Egypt changed to their present boundaries
eastern borders of Libya and British Egypt changed to their present boundaries
1926
Albania cedes territory to the Kingdom of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs
Albania cedes territory to the Kingdom of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs
Novonikolayevsk changed name to Novosibirsk
Novonikolayevsk changed name to Novosibirsk
1928
Island of Palmas awarded from the Philippines to the Dutch East Indies
Island of Palmas awarded from the Philippines to the Dutch East Indies
1929
Alice Springs reached by railway
Alice Springs reached by railway
1930
Constantinople renamed to Istanbul
Constantinople renamed to Istanbul
Germany takes over Rhineland from France
Germany takes over Rhineland from France
1931
Egypts gets it's current shape
Egypts gets it's current shape
Kuznetsk renamed to Novokuznetsk
Kuznetsk renamed to Novokuznetsk
1932
Iraq and Saudi Arabia independent from British rule
Iraq and Saudi Arabia independent from British rule
Niznyj Novgorod renamed to Gorkij
Niznyj Novgorod renamed to Gorkij
Novokuznetsk renamed to Stalinsk
Novokuznetsk renamed to Stalinsk
1934
The borders of Libya changed to their present-day boundaries
The borders of Libya changed to their present-day boundaries
1935
Persia renamed to Iran
Persia renamed to Iran
Samara renamed to Kuybyshev
Samara renamed to Kuybyshev
1936
Abyssinia becomes (Italian) East Africa
Abyssinia becomes (Italian) East Africa
1937
Japan invades China and occupies territories around Peking and Nanking
Japan invades China and occupies territories around Peking and Nanking
Burma separates from British India but remains under British rule
Burma separates from British India but remains under British rule
1938
Orenburg (Russia) renamed to Chkalov (until 1957)
Orenburg (Russia) renamed to Chkalov (until 1957)
Trans-Iranian railway connecting Caspian sea and Persian Gulf completed
Trans-Iranian railway connecting Caspian sea and Persian Gulf completed
Austria and Sudetenland (part of Czechoslovakia) annexed by Germany
Austria and Sudetenland (part of Czechoslovakia) annexed by Germany
Hungary gains southern part of Slovakia by First Vienna Award
Hungary gains southern part of Slovakia by First Vienna Award
1939
Poland and Czechoslovakia invaded by Germany, Slovakia becomes temporarily independent from Czechoslovakia
Poland and Czechoslovakia invaded by Germany, Slovakia becomes temporarily independent from Czechoslovakia
Hungary occupies Carpathian Ruthenia
Hungary occupies Carpathian Ruthenia
1940
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania annexed by USSR
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania annexed by USSR
British East Africa absorbed by Italian East Africa
British East Africa absorbed by Italian East Africa
Japan invaded French Indochina
Japan invaded French Indochina
Hungary gains part of Romania by Second Vienna Award
Hungary gains part of Romania by Second Vienna Award
1941
Italian East Africa becomes Ethiopia
Italian East Africa becomes Ethiopia
Large part of Slovenia divided between Italy and Germany
Large part of Slovenia divided between Italy and Germany
Germany initiates expansion to Soviet Union
Germany initiates expansion to Soviet Union
Hungary annexes part of Yugoslavia
Hungary annexes part of Yugoslavia
1942
Batavia renamed to Jakarta
Batavia renamed to Jakarta
Ecuador loses Oriente region to Peru
Ecuador loses Oriente region to Peru
1945
Germany changed to its present boundaries
Germany changed to its present boundaries
End of Japanese rule in Korea and Taiwan
End of Japanese rule in Korea and Taiwan
Slovenia became part of Yugoslavia
Slovenia became part of Yugoslavia
Czechia and Slovakia reunite again into Czechoslovakia
Czechia and Slovakia reunite again into Czechoslovakia
1946
Philippines became independent from USA
Philippines became independent from USA
1947
India and West and East Pakistan become independent states
India and West and East Pakistan become independent states
1948
Israel appears on a map
Israel appears on a map
1949
Germany divided into West and East Germany
Germany divided into West and East Germany
Siam becomes Thailand
Siam becomes Thailand
Newfoundland ceded by UK to Canada
Newfoundland ceded by UK to Canada
1952
Ethiopia and Eritrea united (until 1961)
Ethiopia and Eritrea united (until 1961)
1953
Korea divided between North and South
Korea divided between North and South
Katowice, Poland, renamed to Stalinogród (until 1956)
Katowice, Poland, renamed to Stalinogród (until 1956)
1954
French Indochina ceased to exist, Vietnam (North and South), Laos and Cambodia established
French Indochina ceased to exist, Vietnam (North and South), Laos and Cambodia established
1955
railway connecting Ulan Bator with Chinese border completed
railway connecting Ulan Bator with Chinese border completed
1956
independent Sudan established from Anglo-Egyptian Sudan
independent Sudan established from Anglo-Egyptian Sudan
1957
Gold Coast under British rule becomes independent Ghana
Gold Coast under British rule becomes independent Ghana
1958
French West and Equatorial Africa dissolved, Chad, Niger, Mauritania, French Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Gabon, French Sudan and more appear
French West and Equatorial Africa dissolved, Chad, Niger, Mauritania, French Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Gabon, French Sudan and more appear
1960
Mauritania, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Ivory coast and more independent from French rule
Mauritania, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Ivory coast and more independent from French rule
French Sudan becomes Mali
French Sudan becomes Mali
Belgian Congo becomes independent Democratic Republic of the Congo
Belgian Congo becomes independent Democratic Republic of the Congo
Italian and British Somalia merged into independent Somalia
Italian and British Somalia merged into independent Somalia
1961
Stalingad becomes Volgograd
Stalingad becomes Volgograd
Goa (India) ends its Portugese rule
Goa (India) ends its Portugese rule
Eritrea independent from Ethiopia
Eritrea independent from Ethiopia
Stalinsk becomes Novokuznetsk
Stalinsk becomes Novokuznetsk
1962
Uganda becomes independent form British rule
Uganda becomes independent form British rule
1963
Kenya becomes independent from British rule
Kenya becomes independent from British rule
Netherlands ceded its rule of Western New Guinea to Indonesia
Netherlands ceded its rule of Western New Guinea to Indonesia
Malaysia forms from Federation of Malaya
Malaysia forms from Federation of Malaya
1964
Nyasaland became Malawi (independent from British rule)
Nyasaland became Malawi (independent from British rule)
Northern Rhodesia becomes Zambia
Northern Rhodesia becomes Zambia
1965
Gambia independent from British rule
Gambia independent from British rule
Singapore expelled from Malaysia
Singapore expelled from Malaysia
1966
Botswana, Gambia, and Lesotho independent from UK
Botswana, Gambia, and Lesotho independent from UK
British Guayana becomes Guyana
British Guayana becomes Guyana
1967
French Somaliland renames to Territory of the Afars and the Issas
French Somaliland renames to Territory of the Afars and the Issas
1968
Equatorial Guinea gains independence from Spain
Equatorial Guinea gains independence from Spain

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