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Jan 1, 1542
Roman Inquisition
Pope Paul III established the Roman Inquisition and the Holy Office. Its purpose was to maintain and defend the integrity of the Catholic faith and to stand up against false doctrines. Tribunals did this by seeking out and punishing "heretics" or people who denied truths about the Catholic faith. Heretics were often accused of crimes related to sorcery, blasphemy and immorality. This event is significant because it got in the way of Galileo's works. (galileo.rice.edu) -
Feb 15, 1564
Galileo's Birth
Galileo was the first born child to Vincenzo Galilei and Giulia Degli Ammannati. They lived in the Tuscon city of Pisa, Italy. His father was a well-known musician, but the family was not well off financially. Later on his parents had two daughters and one more son. In 1574, his family moved to Florence. This event is significant because Galileo made very important contributions to science. (Hightower 8) -
Jan 1, 1567
Millions of Native Americans Killed by Disease
During a short span of time in the mid- 1500's when North America was still being explored and colonized, millions of Native- Americans died due to disease brought over from Europe. European diseases such as small pox, measles, chicken pox and typhoid fever killed so many Native- Americans because they lacked immunity. This event is significant because in several regions these diseases completely wiped out entire ethnic groups. (Thornton) -
Jan 1, 1577
Sir Francis Drake Embarks on Voyage Around the World
Sir Francis Drake was chosen by Queen Elizabeth of England as the leader of an expedition around South America through the Strait of Magellan, to North America, across the Pacific Ocean and back to England through the Indian Ocean and around Africa. This event is significant because he was the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe. Along the way he captured treasue and became a very wealthy man. When he returned to England in 1581, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth. (Biography.com) -
Jan 1, 1581
Enrollment at University of Pisa
Galileo had wanted to become a monk, however his father disagreed and removed him from the Monastery at Santa Maria Vallonbrosa to study medicine at the University of Pisa. Galileo was unhappy but did as his father said for some time. Eventually he lost interest in the subject and was forced to leave the university in 1585 without earning his degree. He went on to study mathematics, This event is significant because it confirmed what he wanted to spend his life studying.(Hightower 6) -
First Important Discovery
Galileo made his first important discovery one day while sitting in church. He noticed how the lamps on the ceiling swung back and forth, becoming shorter, but always taking the same amount of time. He determined that the time of the swing was constant, while the swing grew shorter. Galileo used this discovery to design a device called a "pulsilogia" , which was used to measure a person's heartbeat. This discovery is significant because it made Galileo begin to question other ideas.(Hightower 9) -
Famous Tower of Pisa Experiment
After recieving much resistance to his ideas that went against Aristotle's, Galileo decided to disprove Aristotle's theory that heavier objects fall faster than lighter ones. He did this by dropping two balls off the Leaning Tower of Pisa; one bigger and one smaller. Although one ball was heavier and the other was lighter, both objects hit the ground at the same time. This event is significant because it showed how important it is to prove theories by experimentation. (Hightower 10) -
Shakespeare's Play "Romeo and Juliet" is Published
Shakespeare wrote the play "Romeo and Juliet" between 1591 and 1596. The early manuscript was printed in 1597 and it was first perfromed by the Lord Chamberlain's Men in a theatre outside of London. This event is significant because Romeo and Juliet is probably the most famous tragedy ever written. It has been adapted to modern times and is still performed today. (British Library.uk) -
London Company Sends Ship to Jamestown
Jamestown was established by the Virginia Company of London when they sent three ships to the New World, however, the land was swampy and mosquito infested and the setters were not well prepared for such living conditions. They didn't expect life in the New World to be so hard and focused on searching for gold instead of planting crops. This event is significant because Jamestown, Virginia was the first permanent English settlement in North America. (apva.org) -
The Telescope
Galileo learned of the invention of the telescope in Holland and was able to create one of his own. His telescope proved to be much more advanced. While the others that were being produced throughout Europe could magnify objects up to 3 times, Galileo created one which could magnify objects twenty times. This event is significant because with his telescope he made many important discoveries. (Nardo 12) -
Galileo's Telescope Observations
With Galileo's telescpe, he was able to make many ground breaking discoveries, including the moon's craters and mountains, the phases of venus, the existence of sunspots and the moons of Jupiter. Galileo was the first person to apply a new invention to the studies of the heavens. This event is significant because it supported the Copernican System, which stated that the Earth and other planets revolve around the sun. (Nardo 12) -
Complaint to the Inquisition
Father Tommasso Caccini attacked Galileo during a sermon in Florence and gave a deposition to the Roman Inquisistion. Galileo went to Rome to defend his beliefs. Copernicus' book "On the Revolution" was placed on the Index of Prohibited Books. This event is significant because Galileo was told by the Holy Office not to defend or teach Copernicanism. (Nardo 14) -
Galileo's "Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems" is published
Galileo publishes "Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems" which at first has tentative Papal approval, but is then banned by the Inquisition. Galileo is summoned to Rome to be questioned about his continued support of "heliocentrism". Due to his poor health, he requests that the trial be moved to Florence but his request is denied and he is forced to travel to Rome. This event is significant because it makes Galileo question himself and interrupts his important work. (Hightower 18) -
Galileo Charged with Heresy
Galileo was ordered to travel to Rome to come before the Holy Office of the Inquisition. He had been charged with teaching and defending the Copernican doctrine which said that the sun does not move and the earth moves around the sun. He was interrogated three times and was officially charged with heresy. This event is significant because it forced Galileo to confess his errors, renounce the Copernican System and accept the Church's judgment which was to live under house arrest.(Hightower 19) -
Harvard University Founded
Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. It was established in 1636 by a vote of the leaders of the Masssachusetts Bay Colony. It was named after a young minister from Charlestown, Massachusetts named John Harvard. When he died in 1638, he left his library and half of his estate to the university. This event is significant because today Harvard remains one of the most respected and prestigous universities in the U.S. (Harvard.edu) -
Galileo Loses Eyesight
Galileo had been under House Arrest and has now lost vision in both eyes and is totally blind. He petitions the Inquisition to be freed, however the petition is denied. He is allowed to transfer to his house in Florence to be closer to his doctors. He is given permission to go to church but he is not allowed to speak with anyone. This event is significant because it further isolates Galileo for the rest of his life. (plato.stanford.edu) -
Galileo's Death
From 1634 until the time of his death at the age of 77, Galileo stayed at his home in Florence under house arrest. He died of natural causes relating to fever and heart problems. The Grand Duke of Tuscany wanted to erect a mausoleum in his honor, however the Pope protested because Galileo had been condemned by the Catholic Church. In 1737 a monument was built and Galileo was reburied along with it. This event is significant because Galileo was proved correct after his death. (moriarty.com)
