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3rd millennium

Current millennium, spanning the years 2001 to 3000 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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"New Millennium" redirects here. For the first ten years of this millennium, see 2000s. For the NASA project, see New Millennium Program.

In contemporary history, the third millennium is the current millennium in the Anno Domini or Common Era, under the Gregorian calendar. It began on 1 January 2001 (MMI) and will end on 31 December 3000 (MMM), spanning the 21st to 30th centuries.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Ongoing futures studies seek to understand what will likely continue and what could plausibly change in this period and beyond.

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Predictions and forecasts not included on this timeline

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21st century

For coverage of past events, see 21st century and Timeline of the 21st century.

2000s

Main article: 2000s

2010s

Main article: 2010s

2020s

Main article: 2020s

2030s

Main article: 2030s

2040s

"2040" redirects here. For the film, see 2040 (film).
"2042" redirects here. For the game, see Battlefield 2042.
"2045" redirects here. For the game, see 2045 (game).
"2046" redirects here. For the film, see 2046 (film).
  • 2040:
    • Rare planetary alignment: On 12 September 2040, the five naked-eye planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn—will cluster within 7° of longitude, an event attracting significant astronomical interest.[1][2]
    • Completion of Baku City Master Plan: Azerbaijan's capital concludes its comprehensive urban development and infrastructure modernization plan, originally set in motion in the 2020s, aiming to transform Baku into a regional economic and cultural hub.[3]
  • 2041:
    • Antarctic Treaty Review: The Antarctic Treaty System is scheduled for a major review, potentially revising environmental protection protocols and international governance frameworks in light of climate change impacts and increased scientific activity.[4][5]
    • Advances in AI Governance: The United Nations is expected to ratify a global treaty on ethical AI development and deployment, following ongoing international negotiations since the 2030s to regulate AI safety and human rights impacts.[6]
  • 2042:
    • 17 September: IBM mainframe systems face a critical date-time overflow issue analogous to the Y2K problem, affecting legacy software and necessitating global IT infrastructure upgrades.[7]
    • Deployment of Quantum Internet Phase II: Following initial rollout in the late 2030s, fully operational quantum internet networks will become accessible to major metropolitan areas worldwide, revolutionizing cybersecurity and communications.[8]
  • 2043:
    • First human mission arrives at Mars permanent colony: Following robotic precursor missions and orbiting stations, the first humans arrive at the established Mars habitat, marking a milestone in interplanetary colonization.[9]
    • Global climate tipping point declared: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) announces that irreversible climate feedback loops have begun, spurring emergency global policy shifts.[10]
  • 2045:
    • 31 December: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announces planned cessation of operations, completing its philanthropic mission after massive impacts on global health and education since its inception.[11]
    • Technological singularity milestone: Leading AI research organizations claim the arrival of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) with human-equivalent cognitive capabilities, triggering broad societal debate on AI ethics and employment.[12]
  • 2046:
    • Launch of the first large-scale geoengineering project to reverse global warming effects, utilizing stratospheric aerosol injection technology, with international oversight and monitoring.[13]
    • Cultural milestone: Completion of the 50-year "Global Digital Library" project providing universal access to human knowledge and art, revolutionizing education and cultural preservation.[14]
  • 2047:
    • 1 July: The "one country, two systems" principle in Hong Kong, originally guaranteed for 50 years since 1997, is scheduled to expire; however, Beijing officials declare intent to maintain the arrangement indefinitely.[15] [16]
    • Full deployment of worldwide 6G+ networks enabling instant global connectivity with near-zero latency, supporting advanced VR/AR and remote robotic operations.[17]
  • 2048:
    • 14 January: The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty is scheduled for review, with a focus on enhanced conservation measures amid increasing polar tourism and research activities.[18]
  • 2049:
    • 1 October: Scheduled completion of the Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to finalize infrastructure and economic cooperation projects across Asia, Europe, and Africa coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.[19]
    • 20 December: The "one country, two systems" principle in Macau, guaranteed for 50 years since 1999, is scheduled to expire, raising questions about future governance.[20]
    • 20 December: The embargoed 37-million-word diary of Robert Shields is scheduled to be fully released, providing unique historical insights into 20th-century American life.[21]
  • Cultural and social trends (2040s):
    • Continued aging population in developed countries leads to widespread adoption of robotic eldercare and advances in biomedical anti-aging therapies.[22]
    • The rise of immersive virtual societies as augmented and virtual reality technologies mature, influencing work, education, and entertainment worldwide.[23]
    • Increasing geopolitical tensions over Arctic resources as ice melts further, leading to new international treaties and security frameworks.[24]

2050s

"2050" redirects here. For the film, see 2050 (film). For the baseball feat, see 20–50 club.
"2055" redirects here. For the song, see 2055 (song).

2060s

"2061" and "2067" redirect here. For other uses, see 2061 (disambiguation) and 2067 (disambiguation).
  • 2060:
    • China aims to achieve carbon neutrality as part of its climate commitments.[33]
    • Russia aims for carbon neutrality, reinforcing global climate action.[34]
  • 2061:
    • 28 July: The return of Halley's Comet to the inner solar system, visible from Earth, drawing global scientific attention.[35]
    • 31 December: Expiration of the Singapore–Malaysia Water Agreement, impacting water resource management between the two countries.[36]
    • Planned decommissioning completion of all 6 reactors at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.[37][38]
  • 2065:

2070s

"2071" redirects here. For the play, see 2071 (play).
"2073" redirects here. For the Asif Kapadia film, see 2073 (film).
"2077" redirects here. For the video game, see Cyberpunk 2077.
  • 2070:
    • India pledges to achieve carbon neutrality by 2070 as part of its climate goals.[40]
  • 2076:
  • 2079:
    • Potential software and hardware issues as 16-bit day count systems starting from 1900 overflow on 6 June 2079, requiring updates in legacy computing systems.[42]

2080s

"2081" redirects here. For the short film, see 2081 (film).
"2085" redirects here. For the song by AJR, see 2085 (AJR song).
"2088" redirects here. For the 2016 album, see Twenty88.
  • 2084:
    • The next transit of Earth from Mars will occur, offering significant observational opportunities for astronomy and space science.[43]
    • The United Nations projects the global human population will peak in 2084 and begin a steady decline, signaling a major demographic shift.[44]
  • 2085:
    • Opening of the "secret" letter left by Queen Elizabeth II in Sydney, Australia, revealing insights into the British monarchy's future plans.[45]
  • 2089:
    • Simultaneous emergence of periodical cicada broods X and XIX, a rare event occurring once every 221 years since 1868.[46]

2090s

"2091" redirects here. For the TV series, see 2091 (TV series).
"2093" redirects here. For the Yeat album, see 2093 (album).
"2099" redirects here. For the Marvel Comics imprint, see Marvel 2099.
  • 2090:
    • The September 11th Victim Compensation Fund is set to expire.[47]
    • Global carbon dioxide emissions are projected to peak this year, according to multiple climate models underpinning the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scenarios, marking a potential turning point in anthropogenic climate impact.[48]
    • The first commercial fusion power plants are expected to begin operation, leveraging decades of breakthroughs in magnetic confinement and inertial fusion technologies to provide a nearly limitless source of clean energy.[49]
  • 2091:
    • The United Nations General Assembly is projected to convene the first Global Climate Justice Summit, focusing on the equitable transition of all nations to net-zero economies.[50]
  • 2092:
    • Work on cleaning up the site of the Oldbury Nuclear Power Station in South Gloucestershire is scheduled to be complete in 2092 (early estimate), marking one of the longest nuclear decommissioning projects in history.[51]
    • Advances in artificial general intelligence (AGI) reach a pivotal milestone, enabling fully autonomous decision-making systems integrated in global governance, health, and space exploration.[52]
  • 2093:
    • The Mars Settlement Treaty is ratified by Earth’s major powers, establishing governance frameworks for Mars colonies and regulating extraterrestrial resource exploitation.[53]
  • 2094:
    • 7 April: Mercury transits Jupiter, the only known such planetary transit of the decade, observed by both Earth and orbital telescopes.[54]
    • The first large-scale climate restoration project using enhanced weathering techniques begins in the Amazon basin, aiming to reverse regional deforestation impacts.[55]
  • 2095:
    • Completion of the Oceanic Autonomous Cleanup Network (OACN), a global fleet of robotic vessels tasked with removing plastic and microplastic waste from the world’s oceans.[56]
    • Major breakthroughs in human longevity research enable the average global life expectancy to surpass 120 years.[57]
  • 2098:
    • The Global Digital Currency officially replaces most national currencies for international trade, backed by blockchain and quantum encryption technology.[60]
    • Completion of the Great Green Wall project across the Sahara-Sahel region marks a major milestone in combating desertification and restoring arable land.[61]
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22nd century

Several terms redirect here. For other uses, see 22nd century (disambiguation), 2150 (disambiguation), the song 2120 South Michigan Avenue, the video games Battlefield 2142, Earth 2140 and Earth 2160, the short film 21-87, and SMPTE 2110 video networking standard

2100s

  • 2100:
    • Silverstein Properties' 99-year lease on the World Trade Center expires.[65]
    • Global climate projections anticipate sea levels to rise between 0.5 and 1 meter, causing significant coastal flooding and displacement worldwide.[66]
    • Advances in artificial intelligence and robotics are expected to have transformed the global workforce, with up to 50% of jobs automated according to projections by leading think tanks.[67]
  • 2107-2108:
    • Computing systems based on the FAT file system will encounter the "Year 2108 problem," analogous to the Y2K bug, due to date limitations.[70]

2110s

  • 2117:
    • A song titled "100 Years", composed by Pharrell Williams and linked to the 100 Years film project, will be released, having been performed privately in 2017.[78]

2140s

  • 2140:
    • All of the roughly 21 million Bitcoins are expected to be mined, marking a fundamental economic milestone for cryptocurrency.[79]

2150s

  • 2155:
    • The year type in MySQL supports dates only up to 31 December 2155, marking a limitation in this widely used database system.[80]

2160s

  • 2160:

2170s

  • 2178:
    • On 23 March, Pluto will have completed its first full orbit since its discovery in 1930.[81]

2180s

  • 2182:
    • On 24 September, asteroid 101955 Bennu has a 1-in-2,700 chance of impacting Earth, according to NASA's Sentry risk assessment.[82]

2190s

  • 2198:
    • The Vanguard I satellite, launched in 1958, is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere and burn up due to orbital decay, assuming it is not retrieved or collided with another object.[83]

Projected and Theoretical Milestones

  • c. 2150-2200:
    • Human space exploration is projected to include crewed missions to Mars and possibly to the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, enabled by advancements in propulsion and life support technologies.[84]
    • Fusion energy is anticipated to become a primary energy source globally, drastically reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change impacts.[85]
    • Widespread adoption of brain-computer interfaces and enhanced human cognition technologies may fundamentally alter human communication and learning.[86]
    • Global political realignments may occur in response to climate displacement, resource scarcity, and technological shifts, potentially leading to new forms of governance.[87]
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23rd century

  • 2206: For the first time since 1935, Earth will experience the maximum number of five solar eclipses in one year.[88]
  • 2213: A total solar eclipse will occur on July 16 and be visible over much of the central and eastern United States.[89]
  • 2267: A transit of Mercury across the Sun will occur on May 10, one of the few in the 23rd century.[94]
  • 2291: A rare double lunar eclipse will occur in one calendar month, with total eclipses on July 1 and July 30.[96]
  • 2296: The 23rd century will conclude with a rare total solar eclipse visible from large parts of Europe and Asia.[97]

Political Milestones

  • c. 2200–2250: Expected establishment of multiple permanent colonies on Mars and the Moon, leading to the first interplanetary political treaties and governance frameworks recognized by Earth-based governments.[98]
  • Mid-23rd century: Projected formation of a formal interstellar diplomatic coalition as humanity expands beyond the Solar System, initiating contact protocols with potential extraterrestrial civilizations.[99]

Technological Milestones

  • Early 2200s: Widespread implementation of quantum computing networks enabling instantaneous global data transmission and advanced artificial intelligence integration in daily life.[100]
  • 2235: Completion of the first operational fusion-powered interplanetary spacecraft, reducing travel time between Earth and Mars to under a week.[101]
  • 2275: Development of advanced brain-computer interfaces achieving full sensory immersion and memory transfer, revolutionizing education and entertainment.[102]

Environmental Milestones

  • 2210–2250: Major global climate restoration initiatives begin to reverse severe 21st- and 22nd-century climate damage through geoengineering, carbon capture, and widespread ecosystem restoration.[103]
  • 2260: Earth's atmosphere reaches near-preindustrial carbon dioxide levels for the first time since the early 2000s, marking a milestone in planetary recovery.[104]

Social Milestones

  • 2220: Universal basic income and AI-managed economic systems fully implemented worldwide, eliminating poverty and drastically reducing economic inequality.[105]
  • 2250: Recognition of human rights extended to sentient artificial intelligences, establishing new legal frameworks for AI citizenship and ethical coexistence.[106]

Cultural Milestones

  • 2245: The 23rd-century Renaissance begins, marked by a global resurgence in art, philosophy, and cultural exchange fueled by advanced virtual reality platforms.[107]
  • 2280: The first interplanetary cultural festivals are held, celebrating human diversity across Earth and Mars colonies with shared virtual and physical events.[108]
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24th century

"2312" redirects here. For the novel, see 2312 (novel).
"2359" redirects here. For the film, see 23:59 (film).
For minor planets numbered 2301–2400, see List of minor planets: 2001–3000 § 301. For the similarly numbered century BC, see 24th century BC. For noteworthy numbers in the range 2301–2400, see 2000 (number).

Political and Social Developments

  • 2300s (unspecified): The ongoing global political landscape is projected to undergo significant transformations as nation-states increasingly collaborate through supranational organizations addressing planetary governance, space colonization policies, and climate change mitigation efforts.[109]
  • 2350–2400: The rise of post-national identity movements and a shift toward transhumanist social structures are expected to redefine citizenship, rights, and governance frameworks globally.[110]

Technological Milestones

  • 2300s (unspecified): The Long Now Foundation's 10,000 Year Clock, under construction inside a mountain in Texas, is designed to keep time until at least the year 12,000 and will still be ticking in the 24th century.[111]
  • 2300–2400: Advancements in artificial intelligence reach what is theorized as the technological singularity, with AI systems surpassing human cognitive abilities and facilitating breakthroughs in science, medicine, and space exploration.[112]
  • 2312: The events depicted in Kim Stanley Robinson's science fiction novel 2312 occur, envisioning human colonization of the Solar System and extensive terraforming projects on planets and moons.[113]
  • 2340s: First successful large-scale construction of self-sustaining Dyson swarm habitats around the Sun, dramatically expanding human living space and energy resources.[114]
  • 2390s: Breakthroughs in molecular nanotechnology enable comprehensive repair and enhancement of the human body at cellular and genetic levels, greatly extending healthy human lifespan toward theoretical longevity escape velocity.[115]

Environmental and Energy Events

  • 2300–2400: Several nuclear waste repositories, including Finland’s Onkalo spent nuclear fuel repository, continue to safely contain waste, with monitoring or sealed status maintained throughout the century.[116]
  • 2325–2375: Implementation of advanced geoengineering projects designed to counteract climate change effects, including atmospheric carbon capture and solar radiation management, although with controversial ecological impacts.[117]
  • 2350s: Major planetary restoration projects on Earth reverse desertification and ocean acidification trends through novel biotechnology and synthetic ecosystems.[118]

Cultural and Intellectual Landmarks

  • 2375: The copyright of The Lord of the Rings One Ring is projected to fully enter the public domain in many jurisdictions, potentially sparking new adaptations and cultural reinterpretations.[119]
  • 2380s: A resurgence of interest in ancient Earth history and cultural heritage, fueled by digital archaeology and immersive virtual reality, allowing 24th-century populations to experience and study past civilizations firsthand.[120]

Astronomical and Calendar Events

  • 2333: The Dounreay nuclear site in Scotland is projected to be safe for reuse or repurposing after extensive decontamination and monitoring.[121]
  • 2353: The date of Easter will be five weeks earlier than its hypothetical astronomical date, creating a rare "negative equinoctial paradox".[122]
  • 2372: Another "negative equinoctial paradox" for Easter will occur, four weeks earlier than astronomical calculations, the last such event before the year 4000.[122]
  • 2391: Palm Sunday and Saint Patrick's Day coincide for the first time since 1940, an event culturally significant in Ireland.[123][124]
  • 2399: The return of Halley's Comet is predicted, following its 2134 perihelion, though the exact date may vary due to gravitational perturbations.[125]
  • 2400: The year 2400 will be the first century leap year since 2000, affecting calendar systems globally.[126]
  • 2386: The Treaty of Windsor (1386) between England and Portugal will reach its 1000th anniversary, marking it as the longest-standing military alliance still in effect if not repealed.[127]

Speculative and Futurological Projections

  • 2400s (unspecified): Ongoing effects of climate change, potential breakthroughs in space colonization (including permanent settlements on Mars, moons of Jupiter and Saturn, and interstellar probes), and advanced artificial intelligence development are expected to shape human civilization.[128]
  • Late 24th century: Speculated achievement of stable interstellar travel technology, enabling humanity's first expansion beyond the Solar System.[129]
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25th century

  • 2401–2450: Continued global political realignments triggered by climate change and resource scarcity reshape nation-state borders and international alliances. According to the United Nations' 2040 report on future geopolitical risks, the Arctic region becomes a major focus of territorial disputes due to newly accessible resources.[130]
  • 2425: The annual funding increase of $325 per student to Wisconsin public schools, which began in 2023, is set to end.[131]
  • 2439 (estimated): The "Across the Universe" message broadcast by NASA in 2008 will reach Polaris. This interstellar radio transmission was aimed to demonstrate human presence and culture to extraterrestrial civilizations.[132]
  • 2446 (estimated): The Pioneer 10 spacecraft, launched in 1972, will pass near the star Aldebaran in the constellation Taurus, continuing its trajectory through interstellar space as one of humanity’s earliest deep-space explorers.[133]
  • 2450–2475: Significant advances in quantum computing and AI integration lead to the development of sentient digital ecosystems capable of autonomous decision-making, profoundly transforming global economies and governance models. The International Journal of Future Computing projects this paradigm shift around mid-25th century.[134]
  • 2475–2490: The completion of the first fully operational Dyson Swarm around the sun is projected, marking a milestone in humanity's ability to harness stellar energy on a massive scale, significantly boosting global energy availability. Research published by the International Space Energy Association in 2045 outlines feasibility and projected timelines.[136]
  • 2486: The Venusian solar day (one full rotation relative to the Sun) will once again synchronize with Earth’s Gregorian calendar day. This rare alignment occurs approximately every 1.6 million Earth days, or about 4,385 Earth years.[137]
  • 2491 (estimated): SETI’s Arecibo message, sent in 1974, will reach the globular cluster Messier 13, about 25,000 light-years from Earth. However, due to the motion of the stars, the cluster will no longer be in the same location when the message arrives.[138]
  • 2492 (estimated): The star UY Scuti, one of the largest known stars by radius, may exhaust its fuel and go supernova, though the exact timing is uncertain. Observations suggest it is in a late stage of stellar evolution.[139]
  • 2495–2500: The cultural renaissance known as the "Neo-Interstellar Movement" emerges, blending digital virtual realities with traditional arts to create immersive experiences reflecting humanity's expanded cosmic perspective. Studies from the Global Cultural Institute highlight its roots in early 21st-century VR developments.[140]
  • Late 25th century (estimated): Earth's axial precession will result in a new North Star as Earth's rotational axis slowly shifts. Gamma Cephei is predicted to become the North Star around the year 3000, marking the final stages of this transition during the 25th century.[141]
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26th century

  • c. 2500: Climate models project catastrophic environmental changes, including the near-complete collapse of the Amazon rainforest due to sustained low water levels and extensive vegetation decline, leading to a barren landscape with severe biodiversity loss.[142][143]
  • 2531: Demographic and social trends in Japan culminate in a predicted scenario where the majority of the population will share the same surname, "Satō," unless changes are enacted to the current law mandating couples adopt a single surname upon marriage.[144][145]
  • c. 2550: Artificial general intelligence (AGI) is expected to exceed human-level intelligence permanently, with AI systems autonomously self-replicating, self-improving, and designing their successors, fundamentally transforming the nature of intelligence and labor.[146]
  • c. 2560: Advancements in neuroscience and computational power may allow for complete software emulation of the human brain, enabling concepts such as mind uploading and digital immortality, which raise profound ethical and philosophical questions.[147]
  • c. 2570: Due to the proper motion of stars, traditional constellations including Orion will undergo substantial changes in appearance, no longer resembling their historic forms, impacting astronomy, navigation, and cultural heritage associated with star patterns.[148][149]
  • c. 2580: Large-scale space habitats such as O'Neill cylinders, along with lunar and Martian colonies, are projected to house significant proportions of the human population, marking a major shift toward a multi-planetary civilization.[150]
  • c. 2590: Earth's axial precession causes the star designated as the North Star to shift from Polaris to stars such as Gamma Cephei, altering a key celestial navigational reference that has persisted for thousands of years.[151]
  • c. 2600: Long-term nuclear waste repositories like Finland’s Onkalo spent nuclear fuel repository are expected to remain sealed and effectively isolate hazardous radioactive materials for millennia, representing a milestone in sustainable hazardous waste management.[152][153]
  • c. 2600–2650: Significant advancements in genetic engineering and biotechnology enable the near-complete eradication of hereditary diseases and possibly enable engineered longevity, potentially extending human lifespans well beyond current limits.[154]
  • c. 2610: The integration of neural interfaces and cybernetic enhancements reaches widespread adoption, fundamentally altering human cognition, sensory perception, and physical capabilities, blurring boundaries between biological and artificial systems.[155]
  • c. 2625: Global political structures evolve with the establishment of transnational governing bodies empowered to address planetary-scale challenges such as climate management, resource allocation, and interplanetary law, marking a step toward global governance.[156]
  • c. 2640: Cultural paradigms shift as virtual and augmented reality environments become indistinguishable from physical reality, transforming education, entertainment, social interaction, and even artistic expression.[157]
  • c. 2650: Earth's climate stabilizes under the influence of advanced geoengineering techniques, including large-scale carbon capture and solar radiation management, although debates on ethical and environmental impacts continue.[158]
  • c. 2675: Exploration and colonization efforts extend beyond the Solar System with initial expeditions to nearby star systems using advanced propulsion technologies such as fusion drives and breakthrough propulsion physics concepts.[159]
  • c. 2699: Historical and archaeological studies in the 26th century leverage advanced AI-driven analysis and synthetic reality reconstructions to gain unprecedented insight into human history and cultural evolution.[160]
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27th century

  • 2650: The Earth’s precession will cause the North Star to shift, and Vega will become the closest bright star to the north celestial pole, replacing Polaris.[162]
  • 2680: The Longplayer composition, a 1,000-year-long piece of music that began playing on 1 January 2000, will reach two-thirds of its duration.[163]
  • 2700:
    • Estimated year when some predictions suggest the Saturn’s rings may disappear or become significantly diminished due to material falling into the planet, based on recent data from the Cassini mission.[164]
    • Estimated year when the star Gamma Cephei will replace Polaris as Earth's northern pole star due to the precession of the equinoxes.[165]
    • Predicted completion of the 1,000-year project "One Thousand Years of Solitude", a conceptual literary endeavor exploring human legacy and memory.[166]
    • Expected culmination of several long-term climate stabilization models that simulate Earth’s climate recovery scenarios from current anthropogenic influences, assuming international mitigation goals are maintained.[167]
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28th century

  • Earth will experience 241 lunar eclipses.[168]
  • 2701–2800: Ongoing advancements in fusion energy technology are expected to culminate in the widespread adoption of commercial fusion power plants worldwide, dramatically reducing humanity's reliance on fossil fuels and enabling near-limitless clean energy generation.[169]
  • 2735–2745: The first permanent human settlements on Mars are projected to be fully self-sustaining by this period, marking a significant milestone in interplanetary colonization and extraterrestrial habitat development.[170]
  • 2750: Probable upper limit of functionality for long-lasting physical data storage methods (e.g., etched sapphire disks), depending on material degradation models.[171]
  • 2758: Estimated time by which Earth’s polar ice caps may undergo significant regeneration due to advanced geoengineering efforts and climate stabilization technologies deployed globally.[172]
  • 2760: Full cycle of precession will have shifted the vernal equinox from the constellation Pisces into Aquarius — sometimes cited in relation to the start of the "Age of Aquarius".[173]
  • 2762: 2,000 years since the founding of the city of Baghdad in 762 CE, originally established during the Islamic Golden Age by Caliph al-Mansur.[174]
  • 2775–2790: Anticipated era of post-scarcity economics, enabled by fully automated advanced manufacturing (nanofactories) and universal basic income systems, potentially transforming global social and political structures.[175]
  • 2780: Completion of the largest known space elevator connecting Earth to a geostationary orbit station, revolutionizing access to space and reducing launch costs to near zero.[176]
  • 2788: Time capsule from the 1939 New York World's Fair is scheduled to be opened, containing messages and artifacts from the 20th century.[177]
  • 2794: The British artist William Blake predicted that the Last Judgment would occur in this year, based on his own mystical interpretations.[178]
  • 2797: Predicted milestone when humanity is expected to have developed fully functional artificial general intelligence (AGI) integrated into all aspects of daily life, drastically reshaping culture, work, and interpersonal relationships.[179]
  • 2800: The second century leap year in the 3rd millennium, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The Revised Julian Calendar, however, observes a leap year in 2900 instead; those Orthodox Churches (e.g., Greek) using the Revised Julian Calendar to calculate fixed-date feasts will, if no changes are made to the calendar before then, celebrate fixed-date feasts a day earlier than Catholic and Protestant churches from March 2800 until February 2900. For example, through this century, such Orthodox Churches will be celebrating Christmas Day while simultaneously Catholic and Protestant churches are marking Christmas Eve.[180]
  • c. 2800: Completion of the global human brain–machine interface network, enabling instantaneous communication and shared consciousness experiences, marking a cultural revolution in human identity and social organization.[181]
  • Late 28th century: Planetary ecological restoration programs projected to have fully rehabilitated several major biomes damaged in prior centuries, thanks to advanced bioengineering and nanotechnology.[182]
  • End of 28th century: Cultural historiography identifies the 28th century as a pivotal era in human history, transitioning from predominantly Earth-centric civilizations to a multi-planetary and interstellar society.[183]

29th century

"2894" redirects here. For the novel, see 2894 (novel).
  • 2850: The theoretical limit of radioactive decay for long-lived isotopes like tellurium-128 may be reached, according to some nuclear physics estimates.[185]
  • 2861: 1,000 years since the founding of the modern Kingdom of Italy in 1861.[186]
  • 2872: Pluto will have completed one full orbit of the Sun since its discovery in 1930.[187]
  • 2880: According to earlier NASA estimates, asteroid 1950 DA had a small probability of impacting Earth in this year, though updated models have significantly reduced the risk.[188]
  • 2896: The star Betelgeuse is projected to explode as a supernova sometime within the next million years; though unlikely, some early models suggest it could occur in this century.[190]
  • 2899: 1,000-year anniversary of the adoption of the metric system in France in 1799, marked by the deposit of the platinum "kilogramme des Archives".[191]
  • 2900:
    • The year 2900 will be a leap year in the Revised Julian calendar, but not in the Gregorian calendar. This difference affects how Christian churches celebrate fixed feast days for the following 100 years.[192]
    • The International Celestial Reference Frame (ICRF), which underpins modern astronomical and navigation systems, will likely be revised again by this time as part of periodic updates every few centuries.[193]
    • The end of the 29th century, marking 1,000 years since the start of the 20th century.

Political events

  • Throughout the 29th century, projected advancements in planetary governance structures will likely emerge as humanity expands permanent settlements beyond Earth. Models foresee a gradual shift from Earth-centric national sovereignty to a decentralized interplanetary federation, balancing local autonomy on planetary colonies with unified interplanetary law enforcement and resource management.[194] This shift will be driven by technological innovations in communication, travel, and economic integration.
  • By the late 29th century, some projections indicate possible establishment of the first fully autonomous artificial intelligence-governed city-states on off-world colonies, testing novel forms of political administration and ethical frameworks.[195]

Technological milestones

  • Advances in quantum computing, nanotechnology, and energy generation will culminate in the practical realization of large-scale fusion power plants by mid-29th century, significantly reducing fossil fuel dependence across inhabited worlds.[196]
  • By 2850–2875, humanity is expected to achieve routine faster-than-light (FTL) communication utilizing entangled quantum networks, dramatically enhancing interstellar coordination.[197]
  • The deployment of Dyson swarm solar energy collectors around multiple stars within human-colonized systems is projected by late 29th century, harnessing unprecedented energy quantities.[198]

Environmental and scientific developments

  • Climate stabilization on Earth is projected to be achieved through advanced geoengineering techniques involving atmospheric scrubbing and oceanic carbon sequestration, fully reversing anthropogenic damage from prior centuries.[199]
  • Terraforming efforts on Mars and select moons (such as Europa and Titan) will reach advanced stages, supporting fully self-sustaining ecosystems and human habitation by the 29th century.[200]
  • The cataloging and study of all known exoplanetary systems within 100 light-years will be completed, informing detailed astrobiological and astrophysical models.[201]

Social and cultural milestones

  • The continued evolution of posthuman societies, blending human and AI consciousness, is anticipated to create diverse cultural expressions and hybrid identities spanning physical and virtual realms.[202]
  • Major art movements will integrate neural interface technology, allowing direct sensory and emotional sharing between creators and audiences, revolutionizing experiential arts.[203]
  • Universal education systems will be fully digitized and personalized, accessible across planets, leveraging immersive virtual reality to eliminate geographical and socio-economic disparities.[204]

Other notable events

  • 2899–2900: A major interstellar festival is projected to celebrate the millennium of the metric system’s adoption and humanity's expanded use of universal standards in science, trade, and daily life across multiple planetary systems.[205]
  • Continuous monitoring of astronomical phenomena will likely witness the first confirmed observation of the Betelgeuse supernova if it occurs within this century, impacting astrophysics and interstellar navigation.[206]

30th century

"3000 A.D." redirects here. For the film, see Captive Women. For the Busted song, see Year 3000.
  • 2931: Pluto will complete its second full orbit of the Sun since its discovery in 1930, taking approximately 248 Earth years per revolution.[207]
  • 2941: The 1,000-year copyright on the Long Now Foundation’s "Manual for Civilization" (created in the 21st century) will expire, assuming such copyright durations are respected over the millennium.[208]
  • 2957: The Greenland ice sheet may have significantly melted if global climate models predicting high greenhouse gas emissions continue into the future.[209]
  • 2967: Projected decay of certain ultra-stable isotopes such as xenon-124 may become detectable in deep time physics experiments — useful in refining the limits of particle physics.[210]
  • 2996: The 1,000th anniversary of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, may be commemorated as part of a long-term Olympic historical observance.[213]
  • 3000:
    • c. 3000: The North Star will no longer be Polaris due to the precession of the equinoxes. By then, the pole star will shift toward the star Errai (Gamma Cephei).[225]
    • Estimated timeframe when many long-term nuclear waste warning messages (e.g., at Yucca Mountain or WIPP) are designed to remain understandable and durable.[226][227]
    • According to Carl Sagan and others, advanced human civilizations may begin terraforming nearby planets such as Mars, depending on technological and ecological trends.[228]
    • The fictional setting of various sci-fi franchises, including the animated series Futurama, which portrays life in the year 3000 with advanced technology and interplanetary travel.[229][230]

See also

Notes

    References

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