Albert Einstein Timeline

Albert Einstein’s life

Early Life and Education

1879-1905

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Academic Career and Breakthroughs

1905-1915

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Fame and Political Turmoil

1915-1933

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Exile and Later Years in America

1933-1945

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Final Years and Legacy

1945-1955

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Part 1: Early Life and Education (1879-1905)

1879: Albert Einstein is born on March 14 in Ulm, Germany. 1889: Begins attending the Luitpold Gymnasium in Munich. 1896: Leaves school in Munich and enrolls at the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich. 1901: Graduates from the Polytechnic and becomes a Swiss citizen. 1905 – Annus Mirabilis (Miracle Year) This year is marked by four revolutionary papers that Einstein publishes in the Annalen der Physik journal, changing the course of physics forever:

Brownian Motion and Mass-Energy Equivalence:

Special Theory of Relativity and Photoelectric Effect

Part 2: Academic Career and Breakthroughs (1905-1915)

Key events: 1905: Publishes several groundbreaking papers, including those on Brownian motion, the photoelectric effect, and special relativity. 1908: Becomes a lecturer at the University of Bern. 1911: Moves to Prague and becomes a professor at the German University. 1914: Accepts a prestigious position in Berlin at the Prussian Academy of Sciences. Major Theory: General Theory of Relativity (1915): Einstein presents the general theory of relativity, explaining gravity as the warping of spacetime by mass and energy. This theory is confirmed during the 1919 solar eclipse, making Einstein world-famous.

Part 3: Fame and Political Turmoil (1915-1933)

Key Events:1919: Einstein's predictions about the bending of light are confirmed, bringing him international acclaim. 1921: Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics, not for relativity, but for his explanation of the photoelectric effect. 1932: Political tensions rise as Hitler comes to power in Germany. Contributions: During this period, Einstein becomes a global figure, promoting scientific cooperation and peace. Quantum Mechanics Debate: Engages in debates with Niels Bohr over quantum theory, famously saying, “God does not play dice.”

Part 4: Exile and Later Years in America (1933-1945)

Key Events:1933: Escapes Nazi Germany and moves to the United States, joining the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. 1939: Signs a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt urging the development of atomic research, leading to the Manhattan Project. 1945: World War II ends, and Einstein advocates for nuclear disarmament. Contributions: Unified Field Theory: Spends the latter part of his life trying to develop a theory that would unify electromagnetism and gravity, but it remains incomplete.

Part 5: Final Years and Legacy (1945-1955)

Key Events:1946: Becomes an outspoken supporter of civil rights and Zionism. 1950: Publishes his work on unified field theory, although it doesn't gain acceptance. 1955: Albert Einstein passes away on April 18 in Princeton, leaving a profound legacy in physics and beyond. Legacy: Einstein’s contributions, particularly relativity and quantum theory, continue to shape modern physics. His name becomes synonymous with genius, and his humanitarian work leaves a lasting impact on political and social issues.