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Ludwig Van Beethoven is born.
Ludwig Van Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany, on December 16, 1770. Growing up, Beethoven had a rough childhood. His father, Johann van Beethoven, was an alcoholic who was always drunk and abusive. On the other hand, Beethoven's mother, Maria Magdalena Keverich, was a kind and gentle woman who protected her children. Beethoven's father wanted to make him the next Mozart, and Beethoven made remarkable progress in music throughout his childhood.
("The Complete Book of Classical Music" (290)) -
Discovery of Oxygen
Joseph Priestley is credited for discovering oxygen. In 1771, Priestley noticed that a mouse in a sealed jar would eventually collapse. He then slipped a sprig of mint inside and realized that the plant revived the mouse. This was when he realized that plants did something to freshen up the air. He isolated the gas on August 1, 1774. He collected large amounts of the gas and breathed it in for himself. He felt refreshed afterwards.
(www.mentalfloss.com) -
Boston Tea Party
On December 16th, 1773, a group of Massachusetts colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians arrived at Boston Harbor. They boarded three British tea ships and dumped 342 chests of tea (worth $18,000) into the harbor. This midnight raid was in protest of the British Parliament's Tea Act of 1773. When the tea ships arrived, the colonists demanded that the tea be returned to England. When this demand was refused, Samuel Adams organized the "tea party" with the Sons of Liberty.
(www.history.com) -
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson. The 13 American colonies ended their political connections to Great Britain. The Declaration summarized the colonists' reasons for seeking independence. By declaring themselves an independent nation, the American colonists were able to confirm an official alliance with France to obtain assistance in the war against Great Britain.
(https//history.state.gov) -
Beethoven's First Public Concert
Beethoven gave his first concert at the age of seven at Cologne. His father had announced that Ludwig was six years old, so Beethoven always thought he was younger than he actually was. Although Beethoven was still really young, he gave an impressive performance in front of Empress Maria Theresa. However, his recital received no press whatsoever and was not a great success.
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Beethoven becomes Neefe's student
His performance may not have been a huge success, but Beethoven still aroused the interest of Christian Gottlob Neefe, the court organist of Cologne. Beethoven left school to study full time with Neefe. Neefe taught Beethoven music and developed his interest in other arts as well.Beethoven was very grateful for Neefe, and later on, he wrote a letter acknowledging his debt to the man. Under Neefe's guidance, Beethoven developed into an outstanding musician.
("Monsters of Music" (103, 105)) -
Beethoven becomes Assistant Court Organist
Beethoven's father was no longer able to support his family due to his alcoholism worsening. Beethoven had to step up, so he formally requested an official appointment as Assistant Court Organist. Despite how young he was, Beethoven's request was accepted. At the age of 13, he was earning 150 florins a year, which was half of his father's salary.
(www.biography.com) -
Beethoven plays for Mozart in Vienna
When Beethoven was just 16 years old, he left Bonn and went to Vienna. Vienna was the capital city in terms of culture and music. During his stay in Vienna, Beethoven had the opportunity to play for Mozart, who was greatly impressed by his talent. Mozart is thought to have said "Don't forget his name- you will hear it spoken often!"
(www.lvbeethoven.com) -
Beethoven's mother dies
Beethoven received a letter in Vienna informing him that his mother was dying. He returned home to nurse his mother through the last stages of tuberculosis. She was the only person in his family with whom he had developed a strong and loving relationship with. When she died on July 17th, 1787, Beethoven found himself the head of the family. His father was always drunk. Ludwig suffered from asthma, and the heavy load of responsibility placed upon him made it worse.
("Monsters of Music" (105)) -
Storming of the Bastille
The Storming of the Bastille took place in Paris, France on July 14, 1789. This violent attack on the government by the people of France signaled the start of the French Revolution. The revolutionaries were members of the Third Estate, also known as the lower social class. They demanded that the military leader of the Bastille surrender the prison and hand over the gunpowder. He refused. Eventually chaos and fighting erupted and the revolutionaries got what they wanted.
(www.ducksters.com) -
Beethoven studies with Joseph Haydn in Vienna
In 1792, Haydn passed through Bonn on his way back from London and heard Beethoven play. Haydn offered to teach Beethoven in Vienna. Haydn gave him lessons and charged very little, and yet Beethoven was not satisfied. He felt that Haydn was giving him too little attention. He began to take lessons from other teachers behind Haydn's back. The two eventually parted ways.
("Music in the Classic Period" (200)) -
Period: to
Beethoven becomes deaf
Beethoven began to lose his hearing in 1798. By the time he was 31 years old in 1801, Beethoven had lost 60% of his hearing. At the age of 46, in 1816, he was completely deaf. Beethoven's life was more painful than ever during this time. He even thought of committing suicide at one point. He did not want his friends suspecting that he could no longer hear. He would pretend to understand remarks he could not hear, but he sometimes gave inappropriate responses.
("Monsters of Music" (108)) -
Flinders circumnavigates Australia
Matthew Flinders, an English navigator, was the first one to circumnavigate the island continent known as New Holland. His voyage lasted from 1801 to 1803. He sailed from Portsmouth in the "HMS Investigator" to explore western Australia on the 18th of July 1801. He sighted Cape Leeuwin on December 6 of that year. His account of the expedition "A voyage to Terra Australis" was published on July 18, 1814, and he died the following day.
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Beethoven gains custody of his nephew
The death of Beethoven's brother Caspar in 1825 sparked a great trial. There was a painful legal battle between Beethoven and his sister-in-law, Johanna, over the custody of his nephew/her son Karl. The struggle stretched on for seven years, during which the two sides spewed ugly words at each other. In the end, Beethoven won the boy's custody, though they never became close.
(www.biography.com) -
World's first photograph taken
Joseph Nicephore Niepce began experimenting with photography from his estate near Chalon-Sur-Saone, France. In 1926, he was ready, and took the photograph from his upper-story window in Burgundy. He brought the photograph to England in 1827. Today, it is displayed in several museums around the world.
( cool.conservation-us.org) -
Ludwig van Beethoven dies.
In 1826, Beethoven contracted pneumonia, which soon developed into dropsy and jaundice. He signed his will on March 23, 1827, and received his last sacrament one day later. Beethoven died on March 26, 1827 in Vienna, Austria. An autopsy later revealed that he died from cirrhosis of the liver. His funeral took place on March 29. Thousands lined the streets to pay him final homage. Beethoven left a great mark on the world through his music.
("The Complete Book of Classical Music" (291)")
