Overview of history

Through the early 1940s, world history is pretty much the same as in the real world. Metahumans exist but have no large-scale effect on history and reports of their actions are viewed with skepticism.

Between 1940 and 2004, major historical events are the same as in the real world, although metahumans are publicly involved in them. Starting in 2004, history diverges radically. Some highlights:
 * Politics:
 * The former Soviet Union reunites into the singular nation of Russia in 2004
 * The Unification War in 2013 creates the United Arab Empire
 * The European Union falls apart in 2008, and the Scandinavian Trade Union is formed.
 * The Confederación de Americas is formed in 2024
 * The African nation of Zu is formed in 2028


 * Non-human intelligences:
 * First Contact with extraterrestrial life in 2015.
 * Artificial intelligences (AIs) are first developed (officially) in 2048.
 * United Earth is founded in 2050, with official responsibility for all extraterrestial affairs.
 * Sentient monkeys are granted official recognition in 2055.

See History for more details.
 * Technology:
 * The first FTL drive is tested in 2014.
 * The first cold fusion reactors go online in 2017
 * Asteroid mining begins in 2019
 * The Neo-Luddism movement starts to gain popularity in the West during the early 2020s, leading to a slowdown in technological development.