1500s

The lively realism of Kamal-ud-din Bihzad lays the basis of both the Persian and the Mughal schools of painting

Mar 15, 1500

The lively realism of Kamal-ud-din Bihzad lays the basis of both the Persian and the Mughal schools of painting. (Exact Date Unknown)

Michelangelo begins his sculpture of David

Mar 15, 1501

Michelangelo begins work in Florence on a tall thin slab of marble, which he transforms into David. (Exact Date Unknown)

Amerigo Vespucci sets sail to explore the New World

Mar 15, 1501

Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci sets sail from Lisbon to explore to the south of the New World. (Exact Date Unknown)

Portuguese set up a trading post on the east African island of Zanzibar.

Mar 15, 1503

The Portuguese set up a trading post on the east African island of Zanzibar. (Exact Date Unknown)

The Portuguese establish a presence in Sri Lanka, trading in the island's crop of cinammon

Mar 15, 1505

The Portuguese establish a presence in Sri Lanka, trading in the island's crop of cinammon. (Exact Date Unknown)

Mona Lisa

Mar 15, 1505

Leonardo captures the enigmatic smile of Lisa Gherardini, known now as the Mona Lisa. (Exact Date Unknown)

Protestant Reformation in France

Period: Mar 12, 1509 to Mar 12, 1554

John Calvin, French theologian. He started the Protestant Reformation in France in 1532. (Exact Dates Unknown)

King Henry VIII Crowned King of England

Jun 24, 1509

Leonardo da Vinci designs horizontal water wheel

Mar 12, 1510

Leonardo da Vinci designed the horizontal water wheel that was the forerunner of the modern water turbine. (Exact Date Unknown)

Attempt to ban coffee in Mecca, Arabia

Mar 12, 1511

In Mecca, Arabia, there was an attempt to ban coffee

One surviving ship of Magellan's fleet, the Victoria, returns to Sanlucar, in Spain, with Sebastian Cano in command

Mar 15, 1522

One surviving ship of Magellan's fleet, the Victoria, returns to Sanlucar, in Spain, with Sebastian Cano in command. (Exact Date Unknown)

John Calvin starts Protestant Reformation in France

Mar 12, 1532

John Calvin, French theologian, started Protestant Reformation in France.