The Update that Changed the World

The Update that Changed the World is a major update labeled as 1.7.2 released on October 25, 2013. It added many new features such as a new terrain generator, many new biomes and biome variations, stained glass, red sand, new tree types, new spawn system, new fish and fishing system with rewards, many new flowers, much more customizable options, Nether portals customizable up to 23x23, command blocks in minecarts and new commands.

Development began shortly after 1.6.2 was released. Fourteen development snapshots were released, from to. Several iterations of the launcher have been released during this time period, from 1.2.3 to 1.2.8. Nearer the end of the snapshot cycle for the 1.7.2 update, Mojang focused primarily on fixing bugs, rather than adding new features.

The official name for the update - the Update that Changed the World - was only announced three days prior to the 1.7.2 release on the Minecraft update tumblr (which is viewed in the launcher).

Mojang released the 1.7 pre-release on October 22, 2013 and the 1.7.1 pre-release on October 23.

Notable features
Notable Additions:
 * 11 new biomes
 * 20 new technical biomes
 * AMPLIFIED world type
 * 7 new commands
 * New particle effects
 * 6 new achievements
 * 4 new statistics
 * Acacia and Dark Oak trees, wood, planks, slabs and stairs
 * 3 new fish
 * 10 new flowers
 * Potion of Water Breathing
 * Stained Glass and Stained Glass Panes

Notable Changes:
 * Improvements to existing biomes
 * Ocean biomes are smaller and take up less of the world
 * Treasures can be caught by fishing
 * Achievements and statistics are now per world/server
 * Fog is less noticeable on lower render distances
 * Re-added pre-1.6.1 boat controls
 * Weighted pressure plates are no longer limited to items
 * Unbreaking from enchantment tables is no longer limited to tools
 * Witches now spawn outside of Witch Huts
 * Render Distance and Max Framerate are now sliders

Video
Watch the overview video below to learn more about the 1.7 update.