The year 2021 marks the 70th anniversary of E&G Quaternary Science Journal (EGQSJ)! To celebrate the journal’s historic contribution to Quaternary research in Germany and beyond, the journal and the German Quaternary Association (DEUQUA) are publishing tandem special anniversary issues of EGQSJ and DEUQUA Special Publications (DEUQUASP). The DEUQUASP issue will contain reprints of a collection of classic EGQSJ research papers translated into English to make them accessible for a wider international audience. The accompanying EGQSJ issue will provide an in-depth look into the significance of each milestone paper written by international experts who critically appraise the paper’s seminal contribution to Quaternary science. Revisiting these classic studies gives an exciting glimpse into the evolution of significant scientific ideas, thereby addressing scientific problems and discussions that are still very relevant for today’s debates. As such, this special EGQSJ anniversary issue will both commemorate milestones in its own history and provide an exciting experience of Quaternary research on the move.