The History of the Universe in 200 Words or Less Graduation Speech
Quantum fluctuation. Inflation. Expansion. BIG BANG! Dark energy. Dark
matter. Ordinary matter. Quarks. Strong nuclear interaction. Particle-antiparticle
annihilation. Hydrogen and helium production. Density perturbations. Recombination.
Blackbody radiation. Local contraction. Galaxy formation. Contraction. Compression.
Hydrogen fusion. Massive star formation. Element formation. Core contraction
and implosion. Supernova explosion. Element recycling. Cloud formation. Star
formation. Sun formation. Planet formation. Earth. Crust solidification.
Comet bombardment. Water condensation. Oceans. Organic chemistry. Polymerization.
RNA. Protein. Life. Prokaryotes. Eukaryotes. Photosynthesis. Mutation. Natural
selection. Evolution. Cell differentiation. Sexual reproduction. Fossilization.
Land exploration! Pre-Cambrian explosion. Dinosaur extinction. Mammal expansion.
Glaciers. Homo Sapiens manifestation! Animal domestication. Food surplus
production. Language. Civilization. Writing. Innovation. Religion. Warring
nations. Empire creation and destruction. Newton and gravitation. Industrial
revolution. Exploration. Colonization. Taxation without representation. Revolution.
Constitution! Election. Westward expansion. Industrialization. Rebellion.
Emancipation proclamation. Invention. Mass production. Urbanization. Immigration.
World war. Fission explosions. United Nations. Space exploration. Assassinations.
Lunar excursions. Resignation. Computerization. 112 Births. Education reformation.
World Trade Organization. Terrorism. Internet expansion. World-Wide Web creation.
Stock market inflation. Elementary education. D’Evelynation. Liberal arts
education. Work. Friendship. Labor. Athletics. Toil. Academics. Homework.
Finals. Anticipation. Graduation!
Original version copyright 1996,1997 by Eric Schulman
Graduation speech by Trina Ruhland (truhland@uchicago.edu), 2003 valedictorian
of D'Evelyn
High School
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