Richest Countries by GDP (1600–2026)

In Jan 1600, the leading Countries in this dataset were Ming Dynasty ($2.824B), Mughal Empire ($2.621B), Ottoman Empire ($759.326M). By Jan 2026, the leaders were United States ($32.384T), China ($20.852T), Germany ($5.453T).

1. Feb 1637 — Tulip mania collapses Tulip contracts collapse after a speculative frenzy. This later satire depicts traders as monkeys. Satirical painting made around 1640, after the bubble. Source
2. 2 Sept 1666 — Great Fire of London Fire sweeps through the city, destroying thousands of homes and much of medieval London. Historical artistic depiction of the 1666 fire. Source
3. 1720 — South Sea Bubble bursts A share-price frenzy ends in collapse, leaving investors facing huge losses. Satirical print illustrating the bubble; a later artistic response. Source
4. 23 Jun 1757 — Battle of Plassey Victory at Plassey marks a turning point in the Company's expansion of power in Bengal. Later painting of Clive meeting Mir Jafar after the battle. Source
5. 4 Jul 1776 — American independence Thirteen colonies declare independence from Britain, beginning a new chapter in American history. 1819 painting of the drafting committee presenting the Declaration; not a documentary image of all signatories signing on July 4. Source
6. 1788 — Steam power transforms manufacturing Steam engines power factories and workshops. This surviving engine was built in 1788. Modern museum photograph of the actual 1788 Lap Engine. Source
7. 14 Jul 1789 — The Bastille falls The storming of the Bastille becomes an enduring symbol of the French Revolution. Jean-Pierre Houël depiction of the storming of the Bastille. Source
8. 3 Jan 1868 — Meiji Restoration The restoration of imperial rule begins a period of far-reaching political and industrial change. 1873 portrait illustrating the ruler, five years after the restoration. Source
9. 10 May 1869 — America’s transcontinental railroad is completed The rails meet at Promontory Summit, connecting the American transcontinental route. Andrew J. Russell’s ceremony photograph; restored scan. Source
10. 18 Jan 1871 — Germany unifies The German Empire is proclaimed at Versailles, reshaping Europe's political map. Anton von Werner’s 1885 painting depicting the 1871 proclamation. Source
11. 28 Jul 1914 — First World War begins War begins in Europe and expands into a global conflict, disrupting lives, trade and empires. British newspaper from 5 August; Britain joined the war on 4 August, after its outbreak on 28 July. Source
12. Oct 1929 — Wall Street crashes The stock-market crash becomes a defining image of the crisis that precedes the Great Depression. Crowd outside the stock exchange during the 1929 crash; use month precision. Source
13. 8 May 1945 — Victory in Europe Crowds celebrate the end of the war in Europe. The war in the Pacific continues. Victory in Europe, not the end of the war in Asia. Source
14. 15 Aug 1947 — Indian independence and Partition British rule ends as India and Pakistan become independent amid Partition and mass displacement. Speech delivered around midnight on 14–15 August 1947. Source
15. 12 Apr 1961 — First human in space Gagarin orbits Earth aboard Vostok 1, becoming the first human to travel into space. Gagarin before the flight; retain source caption and licence. Source
16. 20 Jul 1969 — Apollo 11 lands on the Moon Apollo 11 lands on the Moon. Armstrong photographs Aldrin on the lunar surface. Buzz Aldrin photographed by Neil Armstrong on the lunar surface. Source
17. Oct 1973 — Oil crisis An oil embargo and rising prices bring fuel shortages and queues to everyday life. October 1973 Oregon gasoline-shortage image; shortage signs illustrate the period, not proof of a single cause. Source
18. Dec 1978 — China begins reform and opening Economic reforms and opening to the outside world begin a long transformation of China's economy. Deng portrait from his 1979 US visit; related-date image, not the 1978 plenum. Source
19. 9 Nov 1989 — Berlin Wall falls People cross the newly opened border and celebrate on the Berlin Wall. November 1989 celebrations; photograph date retained in Commons metadata. Source
20. 26 Dec 1991 — The Soviet Union collapses The Soviet Union formally dissolves. The image shows Gorbachev's resignation the previous day. Actual 25 December 1991 resignation photograph, illustrating formal dissolution on 26 December. Copyrighted editorial selection; not represented as openly licensed. Source
21. 15 Sept 2008 — Lehman Brothers collapses Lehman Brothers files for bankruptcy as the financial crisis intensifies. Headquarters photographed on bankruptcy day; selected instead of an unverified employee-with-box photograph. Source
22. 11 Mar 2020 — COVID-19 is characterized as a pandemic WHO characterizes COVID-19 as a pandemic. Lockdowns soon reshape daily life and economic activity. Later lockdown photograph; cities did not all lock down on the WHO announcement date. Source
23. 30 Nov 2022 — The generative AI era ChatGPT brings generative AI to a mass audience, opening a new era of AI-assisted writing, coding and learning. Recognizable product logo; not presented as a screenshot of the 2022 interface. Source