The PAGES 2k Network, a global initiative to reconstruct past climate changes, has compiled temperature reconstructions for seven continental-scale regions over the past two millennia. The reconstructions reveal a long-term cooling trend that ended in the late 19th century, followed by recent warming in the 20th century. This cooling trend was more pronounced in the Arctic, Europe, and Asia compared to North America and the Southern Hemisphere. The transition to colder conditions occurred earlier in these regions. The 20th century was the warmest or nearly the warmest century in all regions except Antarctica, with the average temperature in the 20th century being about 0.4°C higher than the preceding five centuries. The recent warming reversed the long-term cooling trend, with the area-weighted average temperature in the 20th century being higher than any other time in nearly 1,400 years. The reconstructions highlight regional variations in temperature variability and provide insights into the causes of past climate changes, which are crucial for understanding future climate scenarios.The PAGES 2k Network, a global initiative to reconstruct past climate changes, has compiled temperature reconstructions for seven continental-scale regions over the past two millennia. The reconstructions reveal a long-term cooling trend that ended in the late 19th century, followed by recent warming in the 20th century. This cooling trend was more pronounced in the Arctic, Europe, and Asia compared to North America and the Southern Hemisphere. The transition to colder conditions occurred earlier in these regions. The 20th century was the warmest or nearly the warmest century in all regions except Antarctica, with the average temperature in the 20th century being about 0.4°C higher than the preceding five centuries. The recent warming reversed the long-term cooling trend, with the area-weighted average temperature in the 20th century being higher than any other time in nearly 1,400 years. The reconstructions highlight regional variations in temperature variability and provide insights into the causes of past climate changes, which are crucial for understanding future climate scenarios.