Ask HN: Papers to get up to speed on database research

Big ask: does anyone know (or can spare the time and effort to compile a short list) of papers to go from zero to cutting edge in database research?

Perhaps too wide of a net to cast (considering all of the different subfields). So, the next best would be a list of seminal papers in database research.

If there is an academic page floating around somewhere that has already compiled this, that will suffice; and I will be grateful for a link.