868 CE
The year of the earliest known dated printed book, the Diamond Sutra, produced in China using woodblock printing, a milestone in the history of human communication and knowledge dissemination.
Science & Technology
- The Diamond Sutra, a Buddhist scripture, was printed in China on May 11 using woodblock printing technology. Bearing a colophon with the date and the name of the commissioner, Wang Jie, it is the oldest known dated complete printed book in existence.
- The sophistication of the Diamond Sutra's printing, including detailed illustrations, indicates that woodblock printing had already been practiced in China for some time before this date, though earlier examples have not survived with dates attached.
Climate & Environment
- Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration was approximately 276 parts per million, as later confirmed by ice core analysis.
Population & Demographics
- World population is estimated to have been approximately 273 million.