HITLER.
Right, now we've got that out of the way, in the comments (which I won't post but it's there in OP) I read the following lamentation:
“something about World War II . . . [someone] sheepishly said "sort of" [heard of it] . . . I was simply stunned. [They] were about to graduate without even ever hearing about the single most significant event in the history of the world.”
Really? Goebbels, Molotov and their mates had a couple of bad years and Jesus coming down from Heaven to save the whole world rates nowhere? How many died (altogether) in World War II? How many eternities (every day) are blasted by rejection of His sacrifice or by never having heard of it at all? Let's ask plastic monkey.
“Hello! My name is Plastic Monkey.” | .Plastic Monkey says:. |
---|
 | 1. Can you see how I work?
1A. (handy hint) The numbers are different sizes.
2. (disclaimer) A modern civics education may
impair your ability to operate plastic monkeys. |
The most important events are those having the greatest impact, positively or negatively, lasting for the longest duration. The fact that nobody had really heard of World War Two makes it quite an insignificant event; although I've quantified it using lives destroyed, other criteria could be used. Plastic Monkey recommends plastic numbers but for this you'll need to make some other numbers out of lead.
Christians have a correct understanding of civics and don't need arithmetic to determine significant events. Godly society is founded on sound civic principles of which at the pinnacle is Christ crucified, resurrected, ascended into Heaven and observed there by multiple witnesses, overseeing all earthly events and supreme above any puny war, carpet nuking notwithstanding.
Colossians 1:16-18 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.