19371996

1937–1996 refers to the chronological span from 1937 to 1996, a period that covers substantial global upheaval and transformation in politics, technology, and culture. The outset of 1937 marks the escalation of the Second Sino-Japanese War and the intensification of global tensions that culminated in World War II. The war reshaped borders, economies, and societies, while the postwar era established new international institutions and the framework of the Cold War.

During the mid- to late 20th century, decolonization, civil rights movements, and political realignments reshaped many regions. Technological progress accelerated, with milestones such as the transistor and integrated circuits, the development of early computers, and spaceflight achievements including the launch of Sputnik in 1957 and the first human Moon landing in 1969.

Geopolitically, the Cold War divided much of the world into opposing camps for decades, followed by the liberalization of Eastern Europe and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, which reconfigured global power structures. The 1990s saw the growth of the global information economy, the public emergence of the World Wide Web in the early 1990s, and continued globalization across economic, cultural, and political life.

As a historical interval, 1937–1996 is characterized by transitions from mid-20th century conflicts toward late-20th century technological networks and economic integration, with ongoing discussions about development, security, human rights, and the distribution of wealth and power. The span remains a common reference point for studies examining the long arc from empire and war to digital globalization.