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May 29, 1453
The Ottomans, led by Mehmed II, take over the city of Constantinople
The Ottoman Empire, led by Mehmed II, attacked and conquer the capital Constantinople, led by Emperor Constantine XI of the Byzantine Empire. The Fall of Constantinople marked the end of the Roman Empire, an empire which had lasted for nearly 1,500 years. After the conquest Mehmed II made Constantinople the Ottoman Empire's new capital. -
May 3, 1481
Bayezid II inherits the throne from Mehmed II
Bayezid II was the oldest son of the successor Mehmed II, and inherited the throne after the death of his father. During his rule Bayezid II was famous for defining the Ottoman Empire as the key to future naval power in the Eastern Mediterranean. However, he is also known to have outlawed all printing in Arabic and Turkic, a ban lasting in the Islamic world until 1729. -
Sep 21, 1512
Selim I takes the throne after the passing of Bayezid II
Selim I inherits the throne after the death of his father, Bayezid II. His reign is notable for the colossal expansion of the Empire, but mainly his conquest of the entire Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt, in which he conquered much land, including all of Egypt. Because they controlled so much land, the Ottomans became the dominant force of the Mediterranean region