Life Timeline

For those born April 17, 1994.

Not your birthday? Find your timeline here.

1993
Before you were born

You're one of the first people who's never lived in a world without graphical web browsers.

In September 2010, Niraj Chokshi noted how little the browser interface had changed since 1993.

1994
Beginnings

Around the time you were born, CIA double agent Aldrich Ames was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

In February 1998, Edward G. Shirley wrote about the broken culture of the CIA, first revealed to the world with the discovery of KGB mole Ames.

1994
Year 28

You were born in April of 1994. This year, The Atlantic celebrates its 160th birthday, making it 6 times as old as you.

The year you were born, Eric Schlosser wrote about mandatory-minimum sentences and the vigorous enforcement of marijuana laws.

2001

Jason Redmond / AP

The 9/11 Attacks

At 7 years old, you were part of the generation most shaped by 9/11.

The conflicts and displacements touched off around the world by the attacks have been reverberating for the majority of your life. “This ‘war’ [on terrorism] will never be over,” wrote James Fallows, a few years after the towers fell.

2005
Half a life ago

Your life can be divided into two halves: before and after YouTube.

In June 2013, Michael Anthony Adams wrote about how the video-sharing service has helped fill a void in his life—and the lives of many other young viewers.

2007

Everett Collection

The teenage years

This is what Hollywood thought teenagers looked like the year you became one.

Juno was released in 2007.

2010

Goran Tomasevic / Reuters

The Arab Spring

When you turned 16, you witnessed the revolutionary fervor that transformed the Arab world in 2010, a movement led by your generation.

When 26-year-old Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire, he ignited a tinderbox of protests that continue to roil the Middle East, and kindled the beginnings of democracy in Tunisia.

2012
Coming of age

Around your 18th birthday, North Korea launched a rocket carrying communications satellite Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3, which quickly exploded.

In April 2012, Yochi J. Dreazen wrote about the U.S. relationship with North Korea in light of the satellite launch.

2012

Dylan Martinez / Reuters

Contemporaries

In 2012, Aly Raisman, who was born the same year as you, was the most decorated American gymnast at the Olympic Games, winning gold in the team and floor events and bronze on the beam.

In August 2012, Elspeth Reeve broke down why Raisman won.

2050
Forecasts

By the time you turn 55, China is predicted to be the world's largest economy.

In February 2012, Charles A. Kupchan wrote about the world's emerging economies, and how the world will look by 2050.

Today
History in the making

History is happening all around you, every day.

The Atlantic is here to help you process it, in stories like these: