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The 2010s

Terrorism. Conflict. Eco-disasters. You’d think the world would have changed by now, but maybe not. Environmental
concerns and the fight against terrorism make the news headlines. Wars and poverty bring streams of refugees to Europe,
with thousands risking their lives in unseaworthy boats in search of a better life. Yes, Europeans scrambled out of economic
crisis, and we have untold computing power in our pocket—but peace and prosperity for all remains a distant dream.
Will you be making the next decade’s history?

Hostilities grew between Russia and Ukraine. In 2014 the passenger Databases, such as collections of photos or music,
airliner MH17, was shot down near the Russia–Ukraine border.
All the passengers, most of whom were Dutch or Malaysian, died.
were increasingly stored in the “cloud”—a network

of computers and Internet connections.
Following an earthquake at sea, the
nuclear power plant at Fukushima
in Japan was badly damaged with

disastrous consequences.
responsible for cruelty and brutal

violations of human rights.

The Belgians took 541 days Pharrell Williams’s song “Happy” was a hit in 2013. The self-named Islamic State was

to form a government—
a new record.

As time goes by. Thanks to the history team led by Fien Danniau,

Christophe Verbruggen, and Tom De Paepe
In the search for renewable energy, the This edition first published in 2015 by Gecko Press
construction of wind turbines increased.
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First American edition published in 2016 by Gecko Press USA,
an imprint of Gecko Press Ltd

English language edition © Gecko Press Ltd 2015
The frst 3-D printers for home use came onto the market.
Original title: Tijdlijn. Translated from the Dutch language.
2015 © Uitgeverij Lannoo nv.
www.lannoo.com
IK BEN All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted
Will the electric car soon become common? Distributed in the United States and Canada by Lerner Publishing Group, www.lernerbooks.com
CHARLIE
or utilized in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying
or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Distributed in the United Kingdom by Bounce Sales and Marketing, www.bouncemarketing.co.uk
Distributed in Australia by Scholastic Australia, www.scholastic.com.au
Distributed in New Zealand by Upstart Distribution, www.upstartpress.co.nz
The translation of this book was funded by the Flemish Literature Fund

The cruise ship Costa Concordia capsized
On January 7, 2015, following publication by the satirical Translated by Bill Nagelkerke
magazine Charlie Hebdo of cartoons featuring the prophet
Mohammed, 12 people were shot dead by Muslim extremists.
in 2012 off the Italian coast. www.flemishliterature.be
People massed on the streets to defend freedom of speech.

Typesetting by Vida & Luke Kelly, New Zealand
Printed in China by Everbest Printing Co Ltd,
an accredited ISO 14001 & FSC certified printer

ISBN: 978-1-776570-69-0
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Refugees in boats attempted to enter Europe via
the Mediterranean Sea. Many boats capsized
because they were unsafe and overloaded.