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Apr 6, 1341
Francesco Petrarch Is Crowned Poet Laureate
Many historians cite this date as the beginning of the Renaissance. -
Jan 1, 1347
The Bubonic Plague Begins
The Black Plague started in the year 1350, and it killed off 35% of Europe's population. At the time, there was no cure for the disease, therefore making it impossible to stop. -
Jan 1, 1350
The Renaissance Begins
The term "Renaissance" simply means "rebirth" or "reborn", which is exactly what this time period was all about. It began in Italy during the fourteenth to seventeenth century and soon spread to the rest of Europe. This time period also included a huge impact on the Arts. -
Jan 1, 1419
Filippo Brunelleschi Designs The Dome For The Florence Cathedral
In 1419, Brunelleschi designed the Dome for the Florence Cathedra. Today, this Dome is known as Santa Maria del Fiore. -
Jan 1, 1420
Filippo Brunelleschi creates linear perspective
On January 1, 1420 Filippo Brunelleschi created linear perspective. This is the process when all of the lines in a drawing/ painting meet at a vanishing point to create a more 3D and realistic look to the picture. -
Jan 1, 1420
Filippo Brunelleschi Creates Linear Perspective
Filippo Brunelleschi is most famous for the two panel paintings he made during in the early 1400's. These paintings illustrated geometric optical linear perspective. -
Jan 1, 1423
Francesco Foscari Becomes Doge in Venice
In 1423, Francesco Foscari became Doge in Venice, Italy. This is where he would commission art for the city. -
Jan 1, 1428
Joan of Arc and The Siege of Orleans
The Siege of Orleans lasted from about 1428 until 1429, and it truly marked a turning point The Hundred Years' War between France and England. This was the first major victory for Joan of Arc, soon following the major win for France. -
Jan 1, 1434
The Medici Family Begin Their Rule Over Florence
In 1434, the Medici family started their reign over the city state of Florence, Italy. They had a very different way of ruling, where they gave the poor more of an advantage. For example, they only made wealthy people pay taxes. -
Jan 1, 1445
Johannes Gutenberg invents the printing press
On January 1, 1445 Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. This machine is now used for books and newspapers, and most people refer to it as a printer. -
Jan 1, 1447
Pope Nicholas V Ascends To The Throne
In 1447, Pope Nicholas V took the first steps towards turning Rome into a Renaissance city. In order to do this, he strongly encouraged the arts and undertook many construction projects. -
Jan 1, 1453
The Ottoman Empire Captures the City of Constantinople
The Ottoman Empire captured the city of Constantinople in the year 1453. This signaled the end to what was known as the Byzantine Empire. -
Jan 28, 1458
Henry VII Becomes King of England
King Henry VII reigned from 1458 until 1509, starting the reign for the House of Tudor. -
Aug 1, 1464
Cosimo de Medici Passes Away
On August 1, 1464 Cosimo de Medici died, he was one of the first members of the Medici family's political dynasty. Once he died, he was rewarded with the title of Pater Patriae which means "Father Of His Country". -
Jan 1, 1469
Lorenzo de Medici Becomes Head of Florence
In the year 1469, Lorenzo de Medici became the head of the Italian city state Florence. Even today, he is still known as one of the greatest patrons of the arts. -
Jan 1, 1471
Sixtus IV Becomes Pope
Sixtus IV became pope, undertaking many successful projects in Rome, but disgracing the Church through his corruption and practice of nepotism. -
Jan 1, 1478
The Spanish Inquisition Begins
Following the Crusades and Reconquest of Spain, the Spanish Inquisition was used for both religious and political reasons. The Christian Spaniards needed a way to unite their country into a strong nation. -
Jan 1, 1486
Sandro Botticelli creates the Birth of Venus
This painting portrays the goddess (Venus) arriving at shore as a grown woman. Today, one can see this painting in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. -
Jan 1, 1486
Pico Publishes His Collection Of 900 Treatises
Pico's philosophy often conflicted with the Catholic Church and he declared a heretic. He was eventually saved from demise by the intervention of Lorenzo de Medici. -
Oct 12, 1492
Christopher Columbus "Discovers" America
On October 12, 1492 on the Pinata, a sailor named Rodrigo de Triana shouted, "Tierra! Tierra!" He did this, because he saw land. He assumed that he would be rewarded a yearly pension for the rest of his life, and was so happy. Until, the Admiral of the three ships would later say that he saw a light the previous night, and then claim the reward for himself. This man was Christopher Columbus, which began his "discovery" of the new world. -
Jan 1, 1494
The Medici Family Are Ousted From Florence By Girolamo Savonarola
Savonarola led a popular uprising against the Medici family, forcing them to leave. Savonarola's rule was short-lived, however, and he was burned as a heretic in the year 1495. -
May 20, 1498
Vasco da Gama Arrives In India
After sailing around the southern tip of Africa, Vasco da Gama finally arrived in India. -
Jan 1, 1501
Michelangelo Begins The David Sculpture
"David" is a sculpture created by Michelangelo during the time of the Renaissance in the year 1501. The finished product was completed in 1504. -
Jan 1, 1503
Pope Julius II Assumes The Papal Throne
The ascension of Pope Julius II began the Roman Golden Age, during which the city and Papacy both excelled. Julius II changed the trend of moral degradation during the Papacy and took great steps in rebuilding Rome. -
Jan 1, 1509
Humanist Author Desiderius Erasmus Writes "Praise of Folly"
In the year 1509, humanist author Erasmus wrote the book "Praise of Folly". This book makes fun of the foolishness of mankind. -
Jan 1, 1511
Raphael paints The School of Athens
One of the most famous pieces of art from the Renaissance was created by Raphael. It was created as Raphael's commission -
Jan 1, 1513
Pope Leo X Succeeds Julius II
Pope Leo X, the son of Lorenzo de Medici, carried on the trend of the Golden Age, proving himself a gifted administrator and intelligent patron of the arts. -
Jan 1, 1514
Michelangelo Paints the Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo begins to paint on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, it includes many religious scenes. It is one of the most well known pieces of art from the Renaissance time period. -
Jan 1, 1514
Thomas More Writes The Utopia
"The Utopia" is a book written completely in Latin, it tells a story about a fictional island society. It goes on to explain the societies religion, and social/ political structures. -
Oct 31, 1517
Martin Luther Nails the 95 Theses on the Door of the Witenburg Church
Martin Luther challenges the traditional practices of the church and Pope Leo X. Luther believed that a person's wealth should not impact their status in the afterlife. -
Jan 1, 1519
Ferdinand Magellan Begins His Voyage Around The World
In 1519, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan began his journey around the world in search for fame and fortune. While en route he discovered, what is now known as, the Strait of Magellan. He also became the first European to cross the Pacific Ocean. -
Jan 1, 1519
Leonardo DaVinci Dies
Leonardo DaVinci died in France, during the year 1519. He is known as one of the most remarkable artists of all time, having established himself as a painter, sculptor, engineer, and scientist. -
Jan 1, 1523
Pope Clement VII Ascends To The Throne
Pope Clement VII came to power following Pope Leo X. He soon proved himself as an incompetent politician, and his poor decisions lead to the dismissal of Rome. -
Jan 1, 1524
Start of The European Wars of Religion
The European Wars of Religion were a series of several wars waged in Europe from the year 1524 all the way until 1648. All of these wars were strongly influenced by the religious change of the time period(s). -
May 6, 1527
The Sack Of Rome
After Pope Clement VII refused to grant the imperial army a ransom, it attacked the city of Rome, taking over the entire city in just over twelve hours. The sack of Rome symbolizes the downfall of the Renaissance in Italy. -
Jan 1, 1530
Jesuit Order Is Founded
In the year 1533, the Jesuit order was founded by Ignatius Loyola. They were one of the major spearheads of the Counter- Reformation. -
Jan 1, 1530
Ivan The Terrible Is Born
Ivan was the Grand Prince of Moscow until his death. Historic sources present several accounts of Ivan's complex personality. He has been described as smart, with a very bad temper and mental illness. -
Jan 1, 1532
Machiavelli Writes "The Prince"
"The Prince" is a political treatise by Niccolò Machiavelli. The original version came out in 1513, but it was written in Latin. The printed version was not released until 1532, about five years after Machiavelli's death. -
Jan 1, 1533
Henry VIII of England Is Excommunicated
In the year 1533, Pope Paul III excommunicated Henry III simply because he refused to submit to papal authority. Henry also challenged the church's decision of not permitting him to divorce Catherine of Aragon. He then proclaimed himself to be leader of the church, and allowed himself to divorce Catherine. -
Jan 1, 1536
Desiderius Erasmus Dies
Desiderius Erasmus was a classical scholar who wrote in a very Latin style. He also used humanist techniques for when he worked on texts, and he prepared important new Latin and Greek editions of the New Testament. -
Jan 1, 1543
The Scientific Revolution Begins
The Scientific Revolution began in Europe towards the end of the Renaissance era. It continued out until the late eighteenth century. -
Jan 1, 1557
Spain Declares Bankruptcy For The First Time
Philip II of Spain declared four state bankruptcies in the year 1560, 1557, 1560, 1575, and 1596. Spain actually became the first ever sovereign nation in history to declare bankruptcy. -
Jan 1, 1558
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I was crowned queen in the year 1558. She was the third of Henry III's six children to become royalty, and she was also the last during the Tudor dynasty. She inherited the throne from he half- sister Mary I, who was also known as "Bloody Mary". -
Jan 1, 1572
Saint Bartholomew's Massacre
The Saint Bartholomew's Massacre was a targeted group of assassinations, followed by a wave of Roman Catholic mob violence. It is unknown how many deaths the massacre actually caused, but it is estimated to be between 5,000 and 30,000 people. -
The Spanish Armada Is Defeated By The English Navy
The Spanish Armada was defeated off of the coast of Gravelines, France. There hopes of invasion were crushed, as they began their very long journey back to Spain. -
Edict of Nantes
The Edict of Nantes was issued by Henry IV of France, primarily to promote civil unity. This Edict also opened a path for many different things, such as secularism and tolerance. -
Leonardo Da Vinci paints the Last Supper
Leonardo Da Vinci decided to paint one of the most important and well known scenes from the bible. It shows Jesus sitting at the table with his Twelve Apostles when he says that one of them would betray him. -
William Shakespeare Builds The Globe Theatre
In the year 1599, William Shakespeare built the Globe Theatre. Here, he would go on to write many of his most successful plays, including Hamlet and Macbeth. -
Galileo Galilei Discovers The Moons of Jupiter
In the year 1610, Galileo discovered the moons of the planet Jupiter. -
The Thirty Years War Begins
The Thirty Years War was a seventeenth century religious conflict, fought mainly in Europe. Today, it still remains one of the longest and most brutal wars in human history.
