History.com: The Modern Summer Olympic Games: A Timeline

Modern Olympic history is full of heart-thumping victories and painful defeats. But a look back at the 28 Summer Games that have taken place since 1896 also offer a snapshot of geopolitics, a shift in women's rights and the state of global affairs. From Athens to Rio, in the last 125 years the Games have crossed five continents, added and removed events, withstood boycotts, and were only canceled three times due to two World Wars. Below is a timeline of notable moments in Summer Olympic Games history. Every summer Olympics from 1896-2021.