Timeline

April 4, 1945 -- Cpt. Steve Rogers, the original Captain America, falls into the North Atlantic during a mission to destroy the German prototype hydrogen bomb. His body is never recovered.

September 5, 1945 -- Charles Francis Xavier is born.

1960-1967 -- The Defenders operate out of Los Angeles, thus beginning the modern day era of superhuman based freedom fighting teams. Among its founding members were the original Human Torch - Jim Hammond, William Naslund - the second Captain America, and Namor.

August 2, 1974 -- Flight of the Fantastic Four. Scientist Reed Richards and his three member crew are exposed to radiation during an experimental long distance space flight. The resulting radiation causes spontaneous mutation among them, resulting in the first globally documented case of successful genome alteration in humans.

March 16, 1982 -- During a test to study the affects of Gamma Radiation on living tissue, an accident floods the entire research facility with fatal levels of radiation. The only survivor, Dr. Robert Banner, is transformed into the Hulk.

1987 -- The first team of Avengers is formed, based in New York City. Among its founding members are The Hulk, Thor, and the third Captain America - Jeffrey Mace.

1989 -- The Canadian government opens Department H, it's 'superhuman initiative', in an attempt to create their own, government sponsored version of the American Avengers called Alpha Flight. Sporting patriotic uniforms and codenames, Logan and James Hudson, aka Wolverine and Guardian, were among its founding members.

September 2, 1995 -- The Xavier School for Gifted Youth opens its doors. Scott Summers, Jean Grey are among the first class.

1996 -- SHIELD, a non-government organization designed to survey and defend against hostile superhumans, is formed. SHIELD, though not tied to any particular government, is based in the Western Hemisphere, namely North and South America.

1997 -- STRIKE, Europe's answer to the Western SHIELD program is formed.

May 14, 1999 -- Second Genesis. An emergency team of X-Men are gathered to rescue the originals from the island of Krakoa. John Proudstar, Katheryn Pryde, Piotr Rasputin join.

May 22, 1999 -- John Proudstar is killed.

October 4, 1999 -- Lacking government funding, Department H is shut down. Alpha Flight disbands.

September 11, 2001 -- The World Trade Center is destroyed in an act of terrorism. Paranoia begins to grow within the US, as the government initiates a 'War on Terror'. This would last throughout the current administration.

March 17, 2003 -- Jean Grey dies.

September 10, 2004 -- 'Third Genesis'. The Massachusetts Academy opens its doors to Generation X. The Xavier School for the Gifted is re-christened The Xavier Institute for Higher Learning. Emma Frost becomes acting Headmistress. Sam Guthrie, Anne Mathis are among the class.

December 20, 2004 -- Genosha, a small African island nation near Madagascar, gains sovereignty from England.

June 11, 2006 -- Sue Richards dies of cancer. Her death is mourned by thousands.

January 3, 2007 -- As distrust in all 'superhumans' grow, the Avengers are forced by the US Government to shut down.

April 7, 2008 -- The 'War on Terror' is finally ended, as the administration of the US Government changes hands.

February 19, 2009 -- Reed Richards dies of complications related to pneumonia. His death is mourned by the planet.

May 25, 2010 -- Generation X graduates. The Massachusetts Academy is closed and its staff is re-integrated into The Xavier Institute.

June 27, 2010 -- Race riots in Genosha reach global headlines as the Genoshan government institutes a Mutant Workcamp Program. Called legalized slavery by many, the program sparks heated debate over the issue of Mutant Rights and the UN's right to step in and mediate the conflict.

July 19, 2010 -- M Day -- In preparation of a 'Fourth Genesis', and in light of recent world events involving mutant rights, Xavier reveals himself to be a mutant; reveals Xavier Institute as a facility for Homo Superior. He publicly opens his doors to any that would seek sanctuary.