The One Piece timeline has just gotten the biggest decoder ring of all time. Creator Eiichiro Oda dropped some serious knowledge in SBS Volume 113, detailing the specific years that encompass Monkey D. Luffy’s Grand Line journey. The two calendar systems that run concurrently in this world, and now, thanks to Oda, we’ve finally got every major event in its place and order in the timeline.Luffy’s story began within Kaienreki Year 1522, and the current story, a couple of years later, takes place in Year 1524. Luffy was born on May 5th of Kaienreki Year 1522 (Tenreki Year 4112), and he began his pirate adventure when he was 17 years old. Everything prior to the time-skip saga happened in a matter of months, and then there was a two-year training period that happened before the New World chapters in 1524.Marine Headquarters (Image Source: Toei Animation)The One Piece timeline is based on two calendar systems that are being used at the same time. The main dating system used throughout One Piece is the Kaienreki or Sea Circle Calendar. Robin first mentions the Kaienrek during the Skypiea arc.The Tenreki or Sky Calendar represents an older system still in use. Oda confirmed that for the current story, both calendars are still in use. The Kaienreki began approximately 1,541 years ago from the current story. The Tenreki calendar is approximately 4,131 years old.Key Dates in the One Piece TimelineLuffy in Gear 5 during the Egghead arc (Image Source: Toei Animation)Luffy was born in 1522, and that's where the One Piece timeline begins. His journey officially starts in February of 1522 when he departs from Foosha Village. The East Blue Saga, Alabasta Saga, and Sky Island adventures take place in the first few months of that year.The Summit War at Marineford happens in April of 1522. That war leads to the death of Ace and is the reason for a two-year timeskip in the story. When we return to the story, now, the One Piece timeline moves to 1524. At the Sabaody Archipelago, the Straw Hats reunite and start their journey in the New World.Fishman Island, Punk Hazard, and Dressrosa all quickly take place at the beginning of 1524. Whole Cake Island happens from late February and ends in early March. Then the Wano Country raid ends on March 17, 1524.Historical Events and Ancient HistoryJoyboy vs. 20 Kingdoms (Image Source: Toei Animation)The One Piece timeline goes way back, beyond Luffy's time. Roughly 600-700 years in Kaienreki, we had the Void Century. This is roughly 900-800 years before the present day. The Void Century ended when the World Government was created.Joy Boy lived during the Void Century, which would make his story over 800 years old. The Ancient Kingdom also lived around this time period and had a lot of advanced technology. This is when we were also introduced to the Poneglyphs as well.Events such as Fisher Tiger's raid on Mariejois took place about 15 years before Luffy sets off on his journey in 1509. Two major events that helped shape the world and the legacy Luffy took over are Gol D. Roger's execution, which happened in 1500, or 24 years before Luffy's journey begins.Why Oda's Clarification MattersOda's recent revelations in SBS about the One Piece timeline help readers put to rest discussions that have existed for years about the timing of events for the series. Many had forgotten about the calendar systems mentioned earlier in the series. The Skypiea arc referenced dates that seemed contradictory without proper context.The author confessed he streamlined some of the dates and references in the name of storytelling pace. Dates mentioned during Skyiepa, such as "400 years ago," were used as estimates, not to be taken as a definitive marker of time. Oda has now advised them not to use those dates to mark out a proper timeline.This clarification helps dedicated followers understand the world's chronology better. Sky citizens utilize Tenreki while surface-dwelling citizens follow the Kaienreki calendar.Oda's official confirmation of the One Piece timeline settles years of speculation. The general timeline creates an additional layer to enjoy the greater narrative of the One Piece world in regard to scope and time. Now, fans of the series can appreciate how these points of time fit within the wider scope of the overall history of the world.