Ultrashort laser pulses interact with matter in unique, nonselective ways, due to electronic direct excitation in an ultrafast time scale. Additionally, these pulses can cover peak powers from kW to PW, allowing its use to induce from nonlinear optics up to relativistic phenomena. Here we present a quick overview of the important processes induced in matter by high-intensity ultrashort pulses, and describe results obtained in our laboratory, including our most recent goal of accelerating electrons with ultrashort pulses for practical applications.