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Ludwig Van Beethoven is born
Beethoven was born on December 16, 1770 in Bonn, Germany to parents Johann Van Beethoven and Maria Magdalena Keverich. His mother, Maria, was a polite woman with many morals. His father, Johann Van Beethoven, was a teacher and musician who struggled with alcoholism. Johann would ruthlessly force Ludwig to practice piano and violin. This is significant because it was useful to Beethoven's future as he became one of the most admired and influential composers.
Source: (Biography.com Editors) -
James Cook Circumnavigates Antarctica
Captain James Cook, aboard the "Resolution", made the first documented crossing of the Antarctic Circle on January 17, 1773. James Cook led three voyages that lasted approximately three days. They sailed a total of 60, 000 miles along the Antartic coastline but they never discovered a way through the ice. This was significant because it was the first recorded crossing of Antartica which as revolutionary to the world of exploration.
Source: (Schlager and Lauer) -
Battle of Lexington and Concord
The Battles of Lexington and Concord marked the start of the American Revolution on April 19, 1773. Beginning in 1764, the British had imposed many acts including the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, and Townshend Acts which angered colonist. When the Americans were informed that the British were coming to attack, Pual Revere and Tanner William Dawes informed residence. On April 19, British troops arrived in Lexington but it is a mystery who fired first. -
The Battles of Lexington and Concord (part 2)
The British then marched to Concord and began searching for weapons. The battle resulted in the Americans defeating the British on the North Bridge. This was significant because it was the start of the American Revolution where Americans gained their independence.
Source: (Biography.com Editors) -
Beethoven travels to Vienna to study with Mozart
On April 20, 187 Beethoven traveled to Vienna in hopes of studying with Mozart. After Beethoven played a song for Mozart, he said "watch out for that boy. One day he will give the world something to talk about.". Mozart agreed to take Beethoven as his student but Beethoven had to leave because his mother was very ill. This was significant because Mozart was an inspiration to Beethoven for his entire career.
Source: (Biography.com Editors) -
Storming of the Bastille
The Storming of Bastille marked the start of the French Revolution on July 14, 1789. Revolutionaries destroyed the Bastille and took the gunpowder. This was significant because the Bastille was used prior by kings to imprison people who did not agree with them. This symbolizes the harshness of the monarchy. It was important because it was the start of theFrench Revolution and the fall of the monarchy.
Source: (Nelson) -
Beethoven composes "Cantata on the Death of Emperor Joseph II"
Beethoven received the honor of composing a piece to honor the Holy Roman Emporer, Joesph II when died. Beethoven was 19 years old and this piece was never performed for unknown reasons. A century later, Johannes Brahms discovered "Cantata on the Death of Emperor Joseph II." This was significant because it was one of Beethoven's earliest masterpieces.
Source: (Biography.com Editors) -
Beethoven travels to Vienna to study with Hadyn
Soon after Beethoven's lessons with Hadyn began, Beethoven began to become unsatisfied because Hadyn was busy with his own compositions. Beethoven would often secretly take lessons with other teachers and often would disregard Hadyn's criticism. However, Beethoven's relationship with Hadyn was significant because he was one of Beethoven's earliest teachers that helped set him in the right direction and he later attended Hadyn's seventy-sixth birthday.
Source: (Jacobs 52) -
The Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror was when Maximilien Robespierre ruled France as a near dictator and thousands of people across France were executed if they were asserted as an enemy of the republic or revolution. It began after the death of King Louis XVI of France and occurred from 1793 to 1794. During the Reign of Terror, thousands of people were executed by a device called the guillotine or the "national razor" which cut off the heads of people with a large blade. -
The Reign of Terror (part 2)
This was significant because it showed that France would never go back to a monarchy. Anyone who favored the monarchy would be executed.
Source: (Nelson) -
Edward Jenner discovers a cure for smallpox
Jenner constantly heard the rumor that dairymaids were protected against smallpox after having cowpox. Jenner discovered that cowpox protected against smallpox and that cowpox could be transmitted from one person to another to act as a vaccine. He injected a young boy with cowpox on May 14, 1796, and the boy became immune to smallpox. This was significant because it was the first attempt to control a disease through a vaccine which has allowed humans to evolve.
Source: (Gale Research Inc.) -
Beethoven writes the "Heiligenstadt Testament"
In 1802, Beethoven wrote the "Heiligenstadt Testament" in Heiligenstadt. The Testament was addressed to his two brothers, Johannes and Karl but was not discovered until after his death. It shows his pain and struggles and loneliness at the time. It also reveals his deafness. He says in his testament, "I fear being exposed to the danger that my condition might be noticed." He was frustrated with his struggle against deafness. -
Beethoven writes the "Heiligenstadt Testament" (part 2)
This was significant because it showed Beethoven's true feelings about his deafness and his struggle with his physical and mental self.
Source: (Thackara) -
Beethoven releases his 3rd symphony
Beethoven released "Symphony No. 3" in In 1804 after Napoleon Bonaparte became emperor of France. He released this in honor of Napoleon but renamed it "Eroica Symphony" because he was disillusioned by Napoleon. Beethoven had origionally seen Napoleon as a hero but his feelings soon changed. This was significant because it was unlike all of the other pieces he had written and was very original.
Source: (Biography.com Editors) -
Beethoven wins custody over his nephew
Beethoven constantly battled with his sister-in-law for custody over his nephew, Karl Van Beethoven. Beethoven ended up winning custody over his nephew in January of 1816. Beethoven later ended up losing custody later because Karl had run away. This was significant because it shows that Beethoven was lonely and possibly wanted a son to keep him company but was not a good guardian. However, he loved his family and this shows his love for his nephew.
Source: (Bos) -
The Monroe Doctrine is issued
The Monroe Doctrine was mainly written by John Quincy Adams but was read by President Monroe at the seventh annual State of the Union Address to Congress. It warned the powers of Europe to not become involved in affairs in the western hemisphere. It also would not allow for further colonization by Europeans in America. It was significant because it separated American and European influences.
Source (History.com Staff) -
Beethoven's Ninth symphony is first performed
On May 7, 1824, Beethoven's ninth symphony was first performed. Although Beethoven was deaf at this point, he still wanted to conduct the orchestra. A musician said, “he stood in front of the conductor’s stand and threw himself back and forth like a madman."This was significant because Beethoven included vocal soloists in the last movement of this symphony. It was the most complex symphony he had written and he needed a very large orchestra.
Source: (Biography.com Editors) -
Beethoven's "String Quartet No. 14" debuts
In 1826, Beethoven released his "String Quartet No. 14" which contained seven connected movements without a single break. This was dedicated to Baron Joseph von Stutterheim and was 40 minutes long. Stutterheim was so amazed that after listening, he commented, "After this, what is left for us to write?" This was significant because it was one of Beethoven's most complex pieces. He also considered it to be one his best string quartets.
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Ludwig Van Beethoven dies
Ludwig Van Beethoven died on March 26, 1827 in Bonn, Germany from a post-hepatitic cirrhosis of the liver. However, many believe he died from lead poising. He passed away at the age of 56 and his autopsy evoked theories that the origin of his deafness was when he had typhus in 1796. -
Ludwig Van Beethoven dies (part 2)
This was significant because it gave us an understanding of Beethoven's deafness. In addition, Beethoven may have passed away, but his legacy lives on. The timeless pieces he composed were far beyond his generation. Beethoven even told an amazed visitor that "They are not for you but for a later age."
Source: (Biography.com Editors)
