Wikipedia:WikiProject Years/criteria

For Wikipedia's essay that is a collection of advice about year articles, see WP:Recent years.

Events

In general, an event should only be listed if of international importance. (This is more strict than being internationally notable.) It should also have a Wikipedia article on the specific event. (As an example of what should not be included, battles within a war should not be included unless the battle has its own article.)

Elections

Most elections should only be included in the country and "electoral year" articles. In any case, automatic changes in the President of the UN or EC should not be included.

Persons

Primary elections (US) and party elections (most other countries) should not be included. It might be acceptable for party elections which produce a significant change in a country's leadership be included, but I would lean against.

Issues

Elections in regard issues should only be listed the result has international consequences, or if on a national level and the result is a "first" of some sort.

Future

In my opinion, future elections should rarely be included. At a minimum, the date must be fixed (i.e., the latest a UK election could be held is not acceptable) and it must be considered likely (by reliable sources) that the result have international consequences.

Disasters (natural, accidents, or intentional)

I have doubts about most of these, but, at the least, there must be a Wikipedia article and a reliable source must state international consequences. We need other criteria, as well.

Entertainment

The beginning and end of a television (or radio, or Internet) program is rarely notable. Exceptions might be made if the program is reported to be innovative, or is otherwise the first of its kind. We might consider the end of a program notable if it was on for 20 (TBD) years.

The debut of a film might be included if it is reported to be innovative or has record sales.

The release date of a game is rarely notable, even if the game has a Wikipedia article.

Films going into or out of the Disney vault are not notable. This should also apply to the first or last time a theatrical film (one shown in theaters) is shown on broadcast television, cable television, or a particular cable network.

WWE events are not notable. Ever. (Possible exception if notable as a film, which may have happened, once.)

Release from prison, end of copyright

Rarely notable for past events, and never for future events.

For prison, there is almost always the possibility of parole, or adjustments for good and bad behavior.

For copyright, it's usually unimportant (even to people interested in the work), speculative, and country-dependent. One could make a case for the first US works to go out of copyright under the Mickey Mouse Enslavement Act.

Sports (and reality TV)

Annual sporting events limited to a continent should not be listed, unless a "first" of some sort, or internationally notable. Periodic events for imaginary (e.g., Quidditch) or unimportant (e.g., Quidditch) sports should not be listed.

WWE events should not be listed. Ever. (Possible exception if listable as a film, which should be very rare.)

Announcements of sporting events should rarely be listed, and should be delisted once the dates and locations for the event are specified.

Computers

The release of a computer program (including operating systems) or gaming platform is seldom notable. The end of company support of a program (including operating systems) is rarely notable. At the least, we must have secondary sources for the fact and for its importance.

Dates when computers may fail because of date overflow might be notable.

Births and Deaths

At the least, the person must have an individual Wikipedia article. "Death of John Doe" or "Murder of John Doe" does not qualify.

Possible exception for the birth of twins or multiples.