The term 'postmodern' was first used in 1870 by the artist John Watkins Chapman to describe a departure from French Impressionism in painting.

In 1914, Episcopal priest and cultural commentator J. M. Thompson used the term 'Postmodernism' to describe changes in attitudes and beliefs in the critique of religion.

Kurt Vonnegut, known for works like Slaughterhouse-Five and Breakfast of Champions, was a key figure in postmodernist literature and associated with the Beat Generation.

In 1926, Bernard Iddings Bell, an Episcopal priest, published 'Postmodernism and Other Essays', marking the first use of the term to describe a historical period following modernity.

In 1939, the term 'Post-Modernism' was first cited, marking the beginning of a new era in art, literature, and culture.

In 1942, literary critic H. R. Hays described postmodernism as a new literary form.

The dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima marked a pivotal moment in history, signifying the transition from modernism to postmodernism due to the realization of instant destruction despite hard work.

The publication of 'Exactitude in Science' in 1946 is a notable event in the realm of postmodernism, emphasizing the importance of precision in scientific endeavors.

In 1947, Arnold J. Toynbee coined the term 'Postmodernism' in his work 'A Study of History', defining it as a period of disruption and irrationality that needed to be addressed.

In 1949, the term 'postmodernism' was first used in architecture to describe a dissatisfaction with the modernist architectural movement known as the International Style.

In 1958, sociologist C. W. Mills introduces the term 'post-modern' to describe a new approach that challenges the traditional ideologies of capitalism and communism.

Daniel Bell, a U.S. sociologist, publishes his book 'The End of Ideology', the first of a trilogy where he argues that western societies are transitioning into a new phase called 'the post-industrial society'.

The novel Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, published in 1961, reflects on World War II while also foreshadowing the anti-war sentiments that emerged during the Vietnam War. It follows the story of Captain John Yossarian, an Air Force pilot, who views war as sheer madness, condemning the act of war and those responsible for it.

Pale Fire, published in 1962, is a novel by Vladimir Nabokov featuring a foreword by Charles Kinbote. The book consists of a poem titled 'Pale Fire' by John Shade, accompanied by Kinbote's extensive commentary. It is considered one of Nabokov's most postmodern works.

In 1965, Lelie Friedler contributes to the emergence of 'post-modern' literature, reflecting the shifting cultural and literary trends towards postmodernism.

In 1966, architect Robert Venturi published 'Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture', a text that critiqued Modernism and advocated for a revival of historical elements in architectural design, laying the groundwork for the emergence of Postmodernism.

French Situationist Guy Debord writes 'The Society of the Spectacle', a significant work in the realm of postmodernism.

U.S. sociologist Amitai Etzioni introduces the concept of postmodernism in his book 'Active Society'.

Slaughterhouse-Five, published in 1969, follows the story of WWII soldier Billy Pilgrim who experiences time travel, relives past events, and encounters extraterrestrial beings. The novel delves into themes of war, trauma, and the human experience.

Metafiction emerged as a literary genre in 1970, characterized by self-referentiality and challenging traditional narrative conventions. It often blurs the line between fiction and reality, inviting readers to question the nature of storytelling and authorship.

In 1971, Ihab Hassan wrote 'The Postmodern Turn', challenging previous definitions of postmodernism and proposing a progressive view.

The Pruitt Igoe housing scheme in St Louis, Missouri was demolished, marking the end of the modern world according to architecture critic Charles Jencks.

In 1973, Daniel Bell published 'The Coming of Post-Industrial Society: A Venture in Social Forecasting,' which, along with his previous work 'The End of Ideology: On the Exhaustion of Political Ideas in the Fifties,' suggests the transition of modern societies into a post-industrial knowledge society.

In 1974, Jean Baudrillard's 'The Mirror of Production' was published, marking his departure from Marxism in his writings.

In 1975, French sociologist Alain Touraine's 'The post-industrial society: tomorrow's social history: classes, conflicts and culture in the programmed society' was published in English.

In 1976, Daniel Bell published 'The Cultural Contradictions of Capitalism' where he critiques the hyper-individualism and lack of civic responsibility in U.S. society.

In 1977, the first edition of Charles Jencks' 'Language of Post-Modern Architecture' was released, where he discusses the concept of 'double-coding' in postmodern architecture.

In 1978, Edward Said published 'Orientalism', a seminal work critiquing Western representations of the Middle East.

In 1979, Jean-François Lyotard published 'The Postmodern Condition', a significant work that explores the nature of knowledge in the postmodern era.

Jean Baudrillard's 'Simulacra and Simulation' was released in 1981, exploring the concept of simulacra and the simulation of reality in contemporary society.

Fredric Jameson's 'Postmodernism and Consumer Society' was published in 1983, delving into the relationship between postmodernism and consumer culture.

In 1984, the book 'Order Out of Chaos' by Ilya Prigogine & Isabelle Stengers was published, considered a significant work in postmodern science.

In 1985, Don DeLillo's novel 'White Noise' was released.

In 1986, Peter Goodrich published 'Reading The Law', raising questions about a postmodern approach to law.

In 1987, Ihab Hassan's work 'Toward a Concept of Postmodernism' was published.

Linda Hutcheon's book 'A Poetics of Postmodernism' is released, reflecting a rising fascination with postmodernist theory, particularly among feminists.

Arthur and David Cook's book 'The Definitive Guide to the Postmodern Scene' is published in 1989.

In 1990, David Harvey's book 'The Condition of Postmodernity' is published. The book provides a Marxist perspective on postmodernism, arguing that it is a specific phase in the evolution of capitalism.

Frederic Jameson's book 'Post-modernism' aims to combine the economic theories of Marxist Ernest Mandel and early works of Baudrillard. Jameson highlights the Bonaventura Hotel in Los Angeles as an example of postmodern architecture that challenges individuals to expand their perceptions and physical boundaries.

Brian McHale's book provides readings of postmodern fiction and discusses contemporary writers labeled as cyberpunk, further exploring the realm of postmodern literature.

Jeanette Winterson's novel 'Written on the Body' was published in 1993.

George Landow's book 'Hyper/Text/Theory' was published in 1994.

In 1996, British literary critic Terry Eagleton published 'The Allusions of Postmodernism', a critique of the ideological foundations of postmodernism, suggesting it as a result of a 'failure of nerve' in certain political circles.

In 1997, Charles Lemert published 'Postmodernism Is Not What You Think', offering a different perspective on postmodernism.

Dennis Smith provides a definition of postmodernity as a concept intertwined with modernity, often symbolized as a 'serpent'.

The terms Post-postmodernism and postpoststructuralism were first coined in 2003 to challenge postmodernism. It explores the transition from 'pomo' (cyborgism) to 'popo' (postcyborgism) in the context of cultural and societal changes.

In 2007, Andrew Hoberek noted that declarations of postmodernism's demise have become a critical commonplace. Various theories like performatism, hypermodernity, altermodern, and digimodernism have been proposed to describe culture or society in the aftermath of postmodernism.

The exhibition titled Postmodernism: Style & Subversion 1970 – 1990 was held at the V&A South Kensington from September 24, 2011, to January 15, 2012. It showcased various artworks and designs from the postmodern era.

In 2014, philosophers Theodore Schick and Lewis Vaughn critiqued postmodernist relativism by pointing out the self-contradictory nature of the statement 'No unrestricted universal generalizations are true'. They argued that if relativism is true, it is false.