Archive of Human Genius

The world’s largest database of good news and social change milestones from throughout human history

We are building the world’s largest database of social change milestones, from the first fire to today’s good news. Change is not only possible, it has happened consistently throughout human history. Filter by era, country, topic, actor, source, and more.

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  • Offshore wind turbines with paddler in foreground
    2024 C.E. March 14

    America’s first utility-scale offshore wind farm is now delivering energy to the grid

    New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the completion of South Fork Wind, a 132-megawatt project by Danish energy giant Ørsted and Boston-based utility Eversource. All 12 of the wind farm’s towering turbines are now in place and producing enough clean electricity to power roughly 70,000 homes in Long Island, New York.


  • Woman receiving mammogram
    2024 C.E. March 14

    Cancer deaths in middle-aged people in the U.K. have plummeted since the 1990s

    Fewer middle-aged people are dying from cancer in the U.K. than at any point over the last 25 years, a new study from Cancer Research UK has revealed. The study showed that overall, mortality rates have dropped by 37% in men and by 33% in women over that span.


  • Lgbt pride rainbow flag during parade in the city .
    2024 C.E. March 14

    Japanese high court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional

    Japan’s march toward marriage equality took a giant leap when a high court ruled the country’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Civil code rules limiting marriage to couples of the opposite sex, the high court in Sapporo ruled, are “unconstitutional” and “discriminatory.” Existing law, the justices wrote, should be revised or rewritten to include other types of unions in addition to those between a man and a woman.


  • Young trees
    2024 C.E. March 13

    The TREES program has planted tens of millions of trees across Africa since 2015

    Since it was founded in 2015, the Trees for the Future (TREES) mass reforestation campaign has convinced and enabled thousands of farmers to plant tens of millions of trees every year. The program spans nine African countries ranging from Senegal and Mali to Tanzania and Kenya. In less than 10 years, it has reportedly restored a combined area of more than 41,000 hectares, which is about seven times the size of Manhattan.


  • Illustration of the ChatGPT logo on a brain
    2024 C.E. March 13

    E.U. regulators pass the world’s first sweeping artificial intelligence regulations

    The E.U. says the regulations seek to "protect fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of law and environmental sustainability from high-risk AI, while boosting innovation and establishing Europe as a leader in the field." Applications that will be banned include social scoring, emotion recognition in schools and workplaces, and "AI that manipulates human behavior or exploits people’s vulnerabilities." The historic AI Act is likely to come into force in early June.


  • African girl sleeping on mother's shoulder
    2024 C.E. March 12

    ‘Historic milestone’ as global child mortality hits record low of 4.9 million in 2022

    Figures newly released by the U.N. Interagency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) reveal the global under-five mortality rate has declined by 51% since 2000 reaching an all-time low. Some countries such as Cambodia, Malawi, Mongolia, and Rwanda reduced under-five mortality rate by over 75% over the time period. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell praised the dedicated efforts of midwives, health workers and community health workers, whose commitment has contributed to the remarkable decline.


  • IRS tax documents
    2024 C.E. March 12

    IRS free tax filing program launches in 12 pilot states

    While the pilot focuses on “simple tax situations,” the U.S. Treasury estimates the pilot could cover about one-third of tax situations for 19 million taxpayers. Within five years, the program could save the average filer $160 per year, or a collective $11 billion annually including tax prep fees and time, according to a report from the Economic Security Project.


  • Asiatic lion
    2024 C.E. March 11

    Asiatic lions in India upgraded from endangered to vulnerable status in conversation win

    In its recent report, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has reclassified the Asiatic lion from "endangered" to "vulnerable," signifying a significant improvement in their conservation status. This is a major win for Gujarat, India, the world's sole home of these big cats.


  • Mersey Tidal Power mockup
    2024 C.E. March 11

    Liverpool to build the world’s largest tidal power project

    The City of Liverpool, England, has unveiled advanced proposals to build the world’s largest tidal power generator on the River Mersey. Mersey Tidal Power would become the largest tidal range scheme in the world. It would power more than 1 million homes for more than 120 years.


  • Place bandage on knee
    2024 C.E. March 8

    Scientists successfully 3D-print human skin tissue into open wounds

    Scientists at Pennsylvania State University have successfully 3D-printed living human skin tissue directly into the open wounds of rats for the first time in history. This bioengineering milestone could pave the way for major developments in reconstructive surgery — or even human hair treatments. Current methods of skin and hair reconstruction — like skin grafts — often result in scars, meaning this discovery could lead to a more seamless treatment for humans.


  • Offshore wind turbines with paddler in foreground
    2024 C.E. March 14

    America’s first utility-scale offshore wind farm is now delivering energy to the grid

    New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the completion of South Fork Wind, a 132-megawatt project by Danish energy giant Ørsted and Boston-based utility Eversource. All 12 of the wind farm’s towering turbines are now in place and producing enough clean electricity to power roughly 70,000 homes in Long Island, New York.


  • Woman receiving mammogram
    2024 C.E. March 14

    Cancer deaths in middle-aged people in the U.K. have plummeted since the 1990s

    Fewer middle-aged people are dying from cancer in the U.K. than at any point over the last 25 years, a new study from Cancer Research UK has revealed. The study showed that overall, mortality rates have dropped by 37% in men and by 33% in women over that span.


  • Lgbt pride rainbow flag during parade in the city .
    2024 C.E. March 14

    Japanese high court rules same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional

    Japan’s march toward marriage equality took a giant leap when a high court ruled the country’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. Civil code rules limiting marriage to couples of the opposite sex, the high court in Sapporo ruled, are “unconstitutional” and “discriminatory.” Existing law, the justices wrote, should be revised or rewritten to include other types of unions in addition to those between a man and a woman.


  • Young trees
    2024 C.E. March 13

    The TREES program has planted tens of millions of trees across Africa since 2015

    Since it was founded in 2015, the Trees for the Future (TREES) mass reforestation campaign has convinced and enabled thousands of farmers to plant tens of millions of trees every year. The program spans nine African countries ranging from Senegal and Mali to Tanzania and Kenya. In less than 10 years, it has reportedly restored a combined area of more than 41,000 hectares, which is about seven times the size of Manhattan.


  • Illustration of the ChatGPT logo on a brain
    2024 C.E. March 13

    E.U. regulators pass the world’s first sweeping artificial intelligence regulations

    The E.U. says the regulations seek to "protect fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of law and environmental sustainability from high-risk AI, while boosting innovation and establishing Europe as a leader in the field." Applications that will be banned include social scoring, emotion recognition in schools and workplaces, and "AI that manipulates human behavior or exploits people’s vulnerabilities." The historic AI Act is likely to come into force in early June.


  • African girl sleeping on mother's shoulder
    2024 C.E. March 12

    ‘Historic milestone’ as global child mortality hits record low of 4.9 million in 2022

    Figures newly released by the U.N. Interagency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) reveal the global under-five mortality rate has declined by 51% since 2000 reaching an all-time low. Some countries such as Cambodia, Malawi, Mongolia, and Rwanda reduced under-five mortality rate by over 75% over the time period. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell praised the dedicated efforts of midwives, health workers and community health workers, whose commitment has contributed to the remarkable decline.


  • IRS tax documents
    2024 C.E. March 12

    IRS free tax filing program launches in 12 pilot states

    While the pilot focuses on “simple tax situations,” the U.S. Treasury estimates the pilot could cover about one-third of tax situations for 19 million taxpayers. Within five years, the program could save the average filer $160 per year, or a collective $11 billion annually including tax prep fees and time, according to a report from the Economic Security Project.


  • Asiatic lion
    2024 C.E. March 11

    Asiatic lions in India upgraded from endangered to vulnerable status in conversation win

    In its recent report, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has reclassified the Asiatic lion from "endangered" to "vulnerable," signifying a significant improvement in their conservation status. This is a major win for Gujarat, India, the world's sole home of these big cats.


  • Mersey Tidal Power mockup
    2024 C.E. March 11

    Liverpool to build the world’s largest tidal power project

    The City of Liverpool, England, has unveiled advanced proposals to build the world’s largest tidal power generator on the River Mersey. Mersey Tidal Power would become the largest tidal range scheme in the world. It would power more than 1 million homes for more than 120 years.


  • Place bandage on knee
    2024 C.E. March 8

    Scientists successfully 3D-print human skin tissue into open wounds

    Scientists at Pennsylvania State University have successfully 3D-printed living human skin tissue directly into the open wounds of rats for the first time in history. This bioengineering milestone could pave the way for major developments in reconstructive surgery — or even human hair treatments. Current methods of skin and hair reconstruction — like skin grafts — often result in scars, meaning this discovery could lead to a more seamless treatment for humans.



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