This history timeline infographic template displays significant events in chronological order. You might make a timeline of Civil War battles when studying for a big history test. Timelines are usually used in history textbooks and biographies to explain what happened during a specific period or to a particular person, beginning with the earliest event and progressing through time. For example, your timeline could start with your birth. Many timelines are graphically represented by a line dotted with points representing significant events. In history, chronology, or putting things in the correct order, is critical.