jan 1, 1918 - Influenza

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While World War 1 killed an estimated 16 million people, the Spanish flu affected approximately 1/5 of the world's population and killed an estimated 50 million people. In one year, the average life expectancy in the United States dropped by 12 years!
This kickstarted a major race toward medicinal advances in chemistry and pharmaeceuticals.

https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/influenza-epidemic/

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