Some readers have mentioned that they are not very familiar with comics, and the DC World's timeline is quite confusing. The author feels that if you want to get a general understanding of the DC Universe, it is easier to start with the major events.
Major events include changes in the world, cooperation among hero teams, the appearance of major supervillains, and cosmic settings. The stories are also quite exciting.
Once you understand the world's background, you will be more interested in following the individual issues of your favorite heroes.
Below is a timeline of major events in the DC Universe, most of which can be found online for more information.
1985 - 1986 "Crisis on Infinite Earths"
1986 - 1987 "Legends"
1988 "Millennium"
1988 "Cosmic Odyssey"
1988 - 1989 "Invasion!"
1989 "Janus Directive"
1991 "Armageddon 2001" / "War of the Gods"
1992 "Eclipso: The Darkness Within"
1992 "The Death of Superman"
1993 "Trinity" / "Knightfall" / "Bloodlines"
1994 "Worlds Collide" / "Panic in the Sky" / "End of an Era" / "Zero Hour: Crisis in Time"
1995 "The Way of the Warrior"
1995 "Underworld Unleashed"
1996 "The Final Night"
1996 "DC vs Marvel"
1997 "Genesis"
1998 "DC One Million"
1999 "Day of Judgment" / "JLApe: Gorilla Warfare!"
2001 "Our Worlds at War"
2001 - 2002 "Joker: Last Laugh"
2003-2004 "Justice League vs. Avengers"
2004 "Identity Crisis"
2005 "Countdown to Infinite Crisis"
2005 - 2006 "Infinite Crisis"
2006 "One Year Later"
2006 - 2007 "52"
2007 "Amazons Attack!"
2007 "Countdown (to Final Crisis)"
2008 - 2009 "Final Crisis"
2009 - 2010 "Blackest Night"
2010 "Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne"
2010 - 2011 "Brightest Day"
2011 "Flashpoint"
"The New 52" begins
2012 "Night of the Owls" / "The Culling" / "Rise of the Third Army" / "Death of the Family"
2012 - 2013 "Rotworld" / "Hawkman: Wanted" / "H'el on Earth" / "Throne of Atlantis"
2013 "Wrath of the First Lantern" / "Trinity War"
2013 - 2014 "Batman: Zero Year"
2013 - 2014 "Forever Evil"
2013 "Lights Out"
2014 "Gothtopia" / "Superman: Doomed" / "Uprising" / "Godhead"
2014 "The New 52: Futures End"
2015 "Batman: Endgame"
2015 "Convergence"
2015 "Truth" / "Superman: Savage Dawn" / "Super Heavy"
2015 "Darkseid War" / "Robin War"
2016 "Super League" / "Rebirth"
2017 "Doomsday Clock" / "Metal"