Timelines

When you're researching historical events or have questions about a chronology of events, try browsing the Timelines. Britannica's Timelines are organized by time and subject. Each Timeline links directly to encyclopedia articles.

To open the Timelines:

1. Choose a Library at the top of the Control Panel.

2. Click the Timelines button above the Workspace.

3. A Timeline opens. The box in the lower-right corner of the Timeline window shows the current year.

To change the subject:

Click a subject label at the bottom of the Timeline; for example, Exploration. To see more subjects, click the arrows at either end of the subjects. The event nearest to the current date setting appears in the center of the Timeline window.  

Tip: If the Britannica Elementary Library is selected, all subjects appear in one Timeline. There are no subject area choices.

To step through events:

Click the arrow in the Next Event box to center the next event in the Timeline. Click the arrow in the Previous Event box to center the previous event.

To step through time:

Click the arrows on either side of the date box in the lower-right corner of the Timeline window. The date "snaps to" the next event that is available.

Tip: The various Subject Timelines have events at different dates. You will step through different dates in each Timeline.

To move quickly through time:

Use the gold slider on the Time Scale below the event. Click and drag the slider to a new location. The date "snaps to" the next event that is available.  

To open a related article:

Click Learn more in the Event box. An article related to the Timeline event opens in a window over the Timeline.

Each Library has its own Timelines:

• Britannica Student Library: Displays notable events in 10 subject-area Timelines. Events link to Britannica Student Encyclopedia articles.

• Britannica Elementary Library: Displays events from a variety of subject areas in one Timeline. Events link to Britannica Elementary Encyclopedia articles.