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Date of Birth
Ludwig van Beethoven was born on December 16, 1770, to Johann van Beethoven (a German musician, teacher, and singer who sang in the chapel of the Archbishop of Cologne) and Maria Magdalena Keverich (who was a daughter of the head chef of the court of an Archbishop). His father was an abusive one, and often fought with Ludwig. -
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre was an event where an outbreak occurred at the Boston Customs House (where they stored money). It was started by drunken colonists who already had high tensions with the British. So, they started to throw snowballs at the British guards, and eventually, started hitting them with ice and clubs. Then, nobody knows exactly who, commanded them to "fire!" And so they did. There were eight casualties; three injuries and five deaths. (http://www.ushistory.org) -
The Boston Massacre Continued
These five people were Crispus Attucks, Patrick Carr, Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick and James Caldwell. This increased tension between them, and was portrayed in different ways by both sides; the American painter, Paul Revere, made it in such a way that the colonists were holding nothing, and the British were commanded to fire. The British had portrayed it in such a way that they were taunted to fire by the colonists, and that they would never kill them all. -
The Boston Tea Party
In retaliation to the Tea tax placed upon the colonists, led by Samuel Adams and Paul Revere, many dressed up in Native clothing. In their outfits, the rebellious colonists climbed upon the British cargo ships, then threw of 340 boxes of tea, right into the harbor. The British were outraged, and set upon the colonists the Intolerable Acts. (https://www.history.com) -
The Intolerable Acts / The Coercive Acts
These were placed upon the colonies in response to the Boston Tea Party. These acts closed the Boston Port, revoked the Mass. Charter, put the Quartering Act into effect, and forced all trials to happen in Great Britain. The blockading of the Port forced all trade to Mass. to cease. The revoking of the Charter forced the Mass. government to stop holding meetings to address problems in the colony. (https://www.britannica.com) -
The Intolerable Acts / The Coercive Acts Continued
The Quartering Act was one where if any British soldiers had no place to stay while in Mass., the townspeople were forced to take them in, and take care of them. They did not pay the colonists anything in return, though. Lastly, when they made all trials have to take place in Great Britain, they took away the factor the colonists had that allowed them to plead innocent - their lawyers had to travel all the way there, just to take place in the trial. -
The American Revolution
One of (if not the) the most famous events in American history, the American Revolution. It was between the Colonies of America and Great Britain. Since it would take too long to write about the whole Revolution here, this is the simplified version. The fighting initially started in Lexington and Concord, where the troops of George Washington and General William Howe - George Washington's troops won. Next, the Battle at Bunker Hill. (https://www.history.com) -
The American Revolution Continued
This consisted of the colonists holding off 3 waves of British attacks, until the British won. But, they also learned that the colonists were determined to win, and would do good in war if they worked together. It also gave us the quote "do not shoot until you see the whites of their eyes." Then the capture of Fort Ticonderoga by the colonists. -
The Declaration of Independence
Although the document was signed and written, it was not formally accepted by Great Britain until later on, after the Battle of Saratoga. Since the fighting was not yet over, the colonists had to put off the official separation of the country until the British surrendered. This document was written by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman. (https://www.archives.gov) -
The Battle Of Saratoga
This Battle was the final turning point of the American Revolution. The reason it is called the turning point is due to the fact that once they were surrounded, British General Cornwallis had surrendered. Once the fighting had stopped, they agreed to sign the Declaration of Independence. With about 24,000 total casualties, the war was finally over. (https://www.history.com) -
"Symphony No. 3"
In 1804, a few weeks after Napoleon Bonaparte proclaimed himself Emperor of France, Beethoven debuted his "Symphony No. 3" in Napoleon's honor. (https://www.biography.com) -
"Symphony No. 5" and "Symphony No. 6"
Beethoven began composing the pieces in 1804, but its completion was delayed a few times for other projects. It premiered at the same time as Beethoven’s "Symphony No. 6," in 1808 in Vienna. (https://www.biography.com) -
"Für Elise"
The name of this song is German for "For Elise." It was originally made for a woman he wanted to marry (named Therese (nicknamed Elise)), but it was not published until 40 years after his death. In 1867, it was discovered by a German music scholar, however Beethoven’s original manuscript has since been lost. (https://www.biography.com) -
"Symphony No. 7"
Premiering in Vienna in 1813 to benefit soldiers wounded in the battle of Hanau, Beethoven began composing this, one of his most energetic and optimistic works, in 1811. The composer called the piece “his most excellent symphony." The second movement is often performed separately from the rest of the symphony and may have been one of Beethoven’s most popular works. (https://www.biography.com) -
His Loss of Hearing
Even though at 20 years old, he lost almost all of his hearing, he still went on to make music. The cause of his deafness is unknown, but it has been attributed to syphilis, lead poisoning, typhus, or possibly even his habit of immersing his head in cold water to stay awake. But, he kept on, and even wrote some of his most famous songs during this. These include his last five piano sonatas, "Missa solemnis," "Symphony No. 9," and his last five string quartets. (https://www.biography.com) -
"Missa Solemnis"
Just under 90 minutes in length, the rarely-performed piece features a chorus, orchestra and four soloists. This piece may even be considered one of his finest achievements. He made this song to portray his deepest feelings, even though, by now, he had already gone deaf. (https://www.biography.com) -
"Symphony No. 9"
Beethoven’s ninth and final symphony, completed in 1824, remains the composer's most towering achievement. The symphony's famous choral finale, with four vocal soloists and a chorus singing the words of Friedrich Schiller's poem "Ode to Joy," may be the most famous piece of music in history. (https://www.biography.com) -
"String Quartet No. 14"
About 40 minutes in length, this song contains seven linked movements played without a break. The work was reportedly one of Beethoven’s favorite later quartets and has been described as one of the composer’s most elusive compositions musically. (https://www.biography.com) -
Date of Death
Ludwig van Beethoven died on March 26, 1827, in Vienna, Austria. Later, it was found that the immediate cause of death was post-hepatitic cirrhosis of the liver (where the normal liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue). This was caused by
