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Aug 22, 1485
Richard III Dies In Battle
When Edward IV passed, Richard took over a few new responsibilites that brought him close to the throne. Henry Tudor, a claim to the throne, decided that the power should be his. The two leaders met in battle, and Richard didn't survive. -
Jan 1, 1492
Christopher Columbus Reaches the Americas
Native Americans today are also called Indians because Columbus originally intended to sail to India. He didn't anticipate another continent in the way, so, thinking he'd found India, he incorrectly called the natives Indians. -
Jan 1, 1503
Leonardo da Vinci Paints the Mona Lisa
This painting, although simple and peaceful, is steeped in controversy, mainly concerning the subject of the portrait and the seemingly surreal landscape. -
Jan 1, 1516
Thomas More's Utopia is Published
Here, Thomas More narrates a fictional conversation between himself and two of his semi-fictional friends about the way the world is going. -
Jan 1, 1543
The Supremacy Act
Henry VIII took a huge step in feudal development. Before his boldness, the Pope had truly been the supreme ruler of Europe, not the king. Henry VIII seemed to attempt to combine the two jobs into one massive role. -
Jan 1, 1558
Elizabeth I Becomes the Queen of England
Elizabeth, the fifth and last queen of the Tudor dynasty, was also known by several endearing nicknames such as Good Queen Bess. -
Jan 1, 1564
William Shakespeare is Born
William Shakespeare, who is said to have died on his birthday in 1616, is known as one of the world's greatest lyricists, poets, and playwrights. -
The Globe Theatre is Built in London
The Theatre was first built by Shakespeare's own troop, called Lord Chamberlain's Men. After a fire destroyed it, a second theatre was erected and was used for about 35 years. -
Shakespeare Writes King Lear and Macbeth
King Lear tells of the hubris of an eccentric king who attempts to put his country and wealth before his family. Macbeth is also one of the Bard's best-known tragedies. -
Jamestown, Virginia is Established
The first permanent settlement in North America was filled with hardship and tough judgment. -
Shakespeare's Sonnets Are Published... Finally
The Bard wrote a series of 154 sonnets, mostly intended for a particular person speculated to be either a lover or a well-beloved student of Shakespeare. -
The King James Bible is Published
The Church of England translated the Bible and completed the work very shortly before its publication. -
The Mayflower Lands at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts
The pilgrims aboard the Mayflower left England to escape religious persecution and establish their own system of religious persecution. -
Newspapers First Published in London
The first "newspapers" were really just pamphlets loaded with current and trivial information. The newspaper as we know it today was born in 1665 as the Oxford Gazette. -
John Milton Begins Writing Paradise Lost
A middle school student, in his report on Milton, wrote, "John Milton started writing the book Paradise Lost before his wedding. Then his wife died and he wrote Paradise Regained." -
Puritan Commonwealth Ends
As the monarchy was restored with Charles II, witch hunts multiplied, and the Great Awakening ruined what was left of the civilised world, it seemed that the world was both ending and starting anew.
