During the original run of Avatar: The Last Airbender, viewers followed the journey of Aang, the last living airbender who reemerged after being frozen for 100 years, as he tried to master other forms of bending and defeat the Fire Nation. Aang is joined by a waterbender named Katara, her brother Sokka, and an earthbender named Toph. They are primarily hunted by Zuko, the exiled prince of the Fire Nation, who has his own fascinating development as the series progresses. Aang's story might have been the focus of Avatar: The Last Airbender, but the series also established a rich history for this world through exposition, flashbacks, and more.
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Although some additional canon materials were released during the show's initial run, more adventures have been told in books, comics, and a sequel TV show - The Legend of Korra - after The Last Airbender's series finale. But for fans who haven't read or seen everything else in the franchise, here's a rundown of the timeline. Since Avatar: The Last Airbender does take place in a fictional universe, all dates will follow the system that marks moments as happening before the Air Nomad Genocide (BG) and after the genocide (AG).
Origins of the Avatar World The Legend of Korra Wan The universe of Avatar: The Last Airbender began roughly 20,000 years before Aang's story is told. The origins of the world mark a very different point in this history, as humans had not yet learned the power to bend elements. This was also when many of the powerful spirits came into existence, and the first Avatar is created
Pre-19,829 BG - Creation of the World & Spirits: The beginning of the universe came when Tui the Moon Spirit and La the Ocean Spirit created the physical world. The spirits took mortal forms of koi fish and began living in Agna Qel'a. Shortly after the creation of the world and humankind, the Mother of Faces gives birth to Koh the Face Stealer. Vaatu, the spirit of darkness and chaos, manages to break through the barrier separating the physical and spirit worlds, enabling travel between the worlds for thousands of years to come. 19,829 BG - The First Harmonic Convergence: The first Harmonic Convergence happened after the birth of Raava, the spirit of light and peace. This occurrence happens when the planets of the universe align and the increased spiritual energy merges the spirit portals at the North and South Poles. The convergence forces Raava and Vaatu to engage in a battle to determine the fate world for another 10,000 years. Raava was victorious in the first encounter. 9,850-9,829 BG - The First Avatar's Origin: Wan, the first person to become the Avatar, was born in 9,850 BG. When Wan stole the element of fire to begin a rebellion in 9,832 BG, he was banished to the Spirit Wilds and continued learning firebending. Two years later, in 9,830 BG, Wan is responsible for severing the tie between Raava and Vaatu, which unleashes chaos into the world. As a result, Wan and Raava begin mastering all forms of bending, with Raava bonding to Wan's physical form to make him the first Avatar in 9,829 BG. Wan's new powers allow him to defeat Vaatu during the second Harmonic Convergence the same year, with Wan trapping Vaatu in the Tree of Time. Post-9,829 BG - Wan's Death: Several years after defeating Vaatu, Wan attempts to keep the peace between the warring human cities. Despite being the first Avatar, Wan is not able to subdue the war and dies at an unspecified time. The death of Wan begins the Avatar cycle anew, but it isn't known who the reincarnated spirit became next.
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First Age of the Avatar Kyoshi and Aang standing with an army in The Legend of Korra. Once the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender was created, and the Avatar itself formed, all four of the major settlements begin construction on the cities that will play central roles in their stories for years to come. Each faction also learns more about their particular focus in bending from animals and nature.
830 BG - Hundun's Defeat: Hundun was the king of the world alongside his conjoined twin brother before 830 BG. They come into conflict with the Avatar at that time, who defeats them and mortally wounds Hundun's brother. The kings are forced to retreat to the Spirit World, where Hundun's hatred towards the Avatar grows. Pre-345 BG - Formation of Four Nations: The four nations take shape before 345 BG. The Air Nomads establish other Air Temples throughout the world, while the Water Tribe is divided into the North and South Poles. Some members of the Southern Water Tribe also found the Foggy Swamp Tribe shortly after. Omashu and Ba Sing Se are founded by the Earth Kingdom as well. This is also when the various Fire Islands unite to form the Fire Nation and appoint the first Fire Lord. The Fifth Nation, a collection of pirates near the Earth Kingdom, also created during this time. 345 BG - Avatar Yangchen's Death: Yangchen served an unknown amount of time as the Avatar, but the Air Nomad was able to keep peace throughout most of her reign after signing a treaty with the Fifth Nation. She died in 345 BG, but the cause has not been revealed. The death of Yangchen resulted in the birth of Avatar Kuruk in the Northern Water Tribe. 312 BG - Avatar Kuruk's Death: At the age of 33, Kuruk died after a reckless time as the Avatar. During his tenure as the Avatar, he destroyed an entire island trying to master the Avatar state and repeatedly battled the Face Stealer after it stole the face of his fiancée. His death coincided with the birth of Avatar Kyoshi from the Earth Kingdom. 296 BG - The Fifth Nation Falls: After rising to power over the last few decades, the Fifth Nation is defeated in 296 BG. Kyoshi is present for the attack, and her bending skills further point to the 18-year-old being the next Avatar. She is confirmed to be the actual Avatar shortly after that. 296-270 BG - Kyoshi's Influence Spreads: After spending time at the Southern Air Temple, Kyoshi makes the Yokoya peninsula her new home. The island is where Kyoshi trained the first Kyoshi Warriors and defeats a warlord named Chin to found Kyoshi Island. She then helps create the Dai Li after uprisings in Ba Sing Se.
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Prelude of the Hundred Year War avatar Sozin over cooling lava After several hundreds of years filled with relative peace, the beginning of the war that is coming begins now with the births and deaths of a few major characters. The rise to power of the Fire Nation and relation to the Avatar allows the possibilities of the future to take shape.
82 BG - Avatar Kyoshi's Death: After living 230 years, Kyoshi passed away in 82 BG, as the oldest known human ever. Her death resulted in the birth of Avatar Roku of the Fire Nation, with Sozin also born on this day. 66 BG - Roku Confirmed As Next Avatar: When Roku and Sozin turn 16 years old, it is announced that Roku will be the next Avatar. He immediately leaves the Fire Nation in pursuit of mastering his ability to bend air, water, and earth. 58 BG - Sozin Becomes Fire Lord: At the age of 22, Sozin becomes the next Fire Lord following the death of his father. This marks the beginning of a reign that lasts over 50 years. 37 BG - Roku & Sozin's First Duel: About 29 years after Roku began his Avatar training, he discovers that the Fire Nation is invading the Earth Kingdom and confronts Sozin. This results in a duel between them, which ends after Roku destroys part of the Royal Palace. 12 BG - Avatar Roku's Death: Avatar Roku dies after trying to stop a volcanic eruption. Sozin momentarily aids him, but the Fire Lord turns on him to make sure the Avatar dies. Without Roku around, Sozin knows that he could move forward with his plan for global conquest by the Fire Nation. The death of Roku leads to the birth of Aang.
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The Hundred Year War
The reign of the Fire Nation begins with the Hundred Year War. This period in the timeline immediately comes before the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender and is responsible for some of the most critical moments in the universe's history, as it mostly happens during Aang's time in the iceberg.
0 AG - Aang Confirmed As The Next Avatar: At only 12 years of age, Aang is revealed to be the next Avatar. He is asked to continue his training and pushed to be ready to stop Sozin before a war can break out. But, Aang crashes in the sea during a storm and encases himself in ice through the Avatar State for the next 100 years. 0 AG - The War Begins: Using the power of a comet, Sozin harnesses the power of firebenders to attack the other nations. He leads the annihilation of the Air Nomads to try and kill Aang, successfully killing everyone but Aang. The Fire Nation's conquest continues as they begin invading sections of the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes. 20 AG - Fire Lord Azulon's Reign Begins: When Sozin dies at the age of 102, his son Azulon becomes the new Fire Lord. He spends the next few decades raiding the Southern Water Tribe to capture their waterbenders. 83-85 AG - A New Generation Is Born: Most of the main characters from Avatar: The Last Airbender are born during this three-year window: Prince Zuko in 83 AG, Princess Yue of the Northern Water Tribe and Sokka in 84 AG, and Princess Azula of the Fire Nation and Katara in 85 AG. 94 AG - Sokka & Katara's Mom Dies: During a raid on the Southern Water Tribe, Kya - Sokka and Katara's mom - dies. She sacrificed herself to save Katara, who is the last waterbender in the tribe. 94-95 AG - The Siege of Ba Sing Se: Led by General Iroh, an invasion on the Earth Kingdom's capital begins. The attempted takeover lasts 600 days and ends with the Fire Nation failing to control Ba Sing Se. Iroh calls for the invasion to end after the death of his son Lu Ten. 97 AG - Prince Zuko's Banishment: Two years after Ozai becomes Fire Lord after the death of Azulon, Zuko is the Heir to the throne. But, Fire Lord Ozai challenges his son to an Agni Kai, which Zuko refuses to take part in. After receiving a severe burn over his left eye, Zuko is banished from the Fire Nation to find the Avatar and accompanied by Iroh.
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Avatar: The Last Airbender Avatar the Last Airbender Aang Katara Sokka The entirety of Avatar: The Last Airbender takes place during 99-100 AG. Aang is awakened from his suspended animation in 99 AG and soon learns that Sozin's Comet will return at the end of the summer, which is when Fire Lord Ozai would use it to wipe out more of the Fire Nation's enemies. As Aang practices waterbending with Katara, they prevent the Fire Nation from invading the Northern Water Tribe. Aang then begins to learn earthbending with Toph, as the Fire Nation continues invading the Earth Kingdom. They conquer Omashu and attempt to retake Ba Sing Se, but Aang and his friends defeat them. This victory comes at a cost, as Aang is severely injured in a duel with Azula, who manages to take control of Ba Sing Se from within.
After Aang begins to recover, he helps lead an invasion of the Fire Nation Capital during the solar eclipse. The attack fails as Azula knew of these plans ahead of time, resulting in mass imprisonment for those who fought alongside Aang. Zuko turns against the Fire Nation at this point, though, and begins training Aang as a firebender. On the day Sozin's Comet returns, Aang defeats Fire Lord Ozai in combat using energybending, Zuko and Katara defeat Azula, the Fire Nation fleet is destroyed by Toph, Sokka, and Suki, and the Order of the White Lotus liberate Ba Sing Se. Zuko becomes the new Fire Lord to work with Aang to restore peace in the world.
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After The Hundred Year War Avatar The Last Airbender Aang As Adult With the world at peace under the protection of Aang and Zuko, the next few decades are mostly free from war. This allows the main characters from Avatar: The Last Airbender to move on, grow up, and complete their own stories. Meanwhile, the actions of Aang and Zuko set events in motion that will prove to be essential for future stories.
101 AG - Assassination Attempt on Zuko: A year after launching the Harmony Restoration Movement to eliminate Fire Nation colonies from the Earth Kingdom, members of both nations attempted to assassinate Zuko. The attempts were not successful but nearly started a new war, which Aang helps prevent. 102 AG - Zuko & Azula's Mom Is Found: Decades after her banishment from the Fire Nation, Zuko and Azula help find their mother, Ursa. She had been living in Hira'a and returned to the Fire Nation to continue living with her children. 102 AG - Sokka & Katara Go Home: Two years after leaving the Southern Water Tribe to accompany Aang, Sokka and Katara return to the South Pole. 102-119 AG - United Republic of Nations Is Formed: Aang and Zuko establish a fifth nation within the world known as the United Republic of Nations. The new society is the evolution of joint governments between different nations in 102 AG. 102-119 AG - Aang & Katara Start A Family: Several years after being together, Aang and Katara get married and have multiple kids over the next few years. Their first is Bumi, a nonbender, and the second is Kya, a waterbender. In 119 AG, Katara gives birth to Tenzin, an Airbender. 153 AG - Avatar Aang's Death: After protecting the world for more than 50 years, Aang passes away 175 years after he was born. The death of Aang leads to Korra of the Southern Water Tribe being born.