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Birth
Beethoven was born in Bonn, on the river Rhine, in Germany, on Dec 16, 1770. His father, Johann Van Beethoven, was a court musician, and his mother, Maria Magdalena Keverich, died during his childhood. His father forced him into music lessons and this was significant as the lesson became useful to Beethoven's aspiring music career (Burch 55). He was born in a little house on Bonngasse and his family soon moved to a bigger house on Rheingasse not far away (Barber 79). -
American Revolution
The American Revolution sparked the French Revolution and many others. It was inspired by the Enlightenment, as were other revolutions. The American Revolution began in 1775 and lasted until 1783. It was a fight for American Independence between the 13 American colonies and England. It was a turning point in US history. It was also significant because it allowed the US to make many advances which would not have been possible if the colonists didn't fight for their independence. (History.com). -
Declaration of Independence Signed
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, The Second Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. In this document, the Continental Congress declared America independent from Great Britain. It was written by Thomas Jefferson. John Hancock was the first, and the largest, signature on the document. This event is significant because it leds to the American Revolution, and it is one of the first steps to America's independence from Great Britain (History.com). -
First Public Concert
Beethoven gave his first concert at the age of seven at Cologne. His father had announced that Ludwig was only six years old, so Beethoven always thought he was younger than he actually was. Although Beethoven was still a young child, he gave an impressive performance in front of Empress Maria Theresa. However, his recital received no press whatsoever and was not a great success. This is significant because it was the first time his talent was publicly shown (Lvbeethoven.com). -
Becomes Assistant Court Organist
Beethoven's father was no longer able to support his family due to his alcohol addiction. Beethoven had to step up so he formally requested an official appointment as Assistant Court Organist. Despite his young age, Beethoven's request was accepted. At the age of 13, he was earning 150 florins a year, which was half of his father's salary. This is a signifigant event because it shows how Beethoven was so responsible at a young as he stepped up to provide for his family (Biography.com). -
Travels to Study with Mozart in Vienna
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 unfortunately had to leave because his mother became ill. This was significant because Mozart was an inspiration to Beethoven for his entire career (Biography.com). -
French Revolution
The French Revolution was a period of time when the citizens of France fought for their rights and what they wanted, which was their freedom. It started with the storming of the Bastille, on July 14 1789, and ended with the rise of Napoleon on November 9, 1799. The revolution was inspired by the American Revolution and Enlightenment ideas, and was very significant in the shaping of modern nations (History.com). -
Travles to Study with Haydn in Vienna
Soon after Beethoven's lessons with Hadyn began, Beethoven began to become restless because Hadyn was busy with his own compositions and would disreard many of Haydn's constructive critizisms (Jacobs 52). He was too stubborn to learn much from Hayden and had his excercises corrected before submitting to Haydn to save embaressment. Beethoven's relationship with Hadyn was significant because he was one of Beethoven's earliest teachers that helped set him in the right direction (Barber 79-80). -
Reign of Terror
Maximilien Robespierre led one of the most terrifying times in history, The Reign of Terror from September 5, 1793 to July 28, 1794. Thousands of women men and children were sentenced to be killed by the guillotine, a device that used a sharp blade to cut the heads off of millions of people. The terrifying time occurred after the French Revolution and it was significant because it showed France would never go back to a monarchy and all in favor of it would be executed (History.com). -
Louisiana Purchase
On this day, the Lousiana Purchace between the United States and France was signed. The treaty was writen on April 30th, and the land was transferred to the United States in December of the the same year. This is a significant event because the Americans gained 828,000 square miles of land and expanded westward for a very resonable price of about 15 million dollars. This land covers about 15 of the states in present day United States (History.com). -
Latin American Independence
Hispanola is the first Latin American state to become independent in 1804. From there, revolts occured throughout Latin America. By 1825, most of Latin America becomes independent including: Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay, Columbia, Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Brazil, Central America and Mexico. This is significant because South America today would not be the same and many unique cultures, and traditions, like Mexico's Independence Day, wouldn't exist (Preceden.com). -
First and Only Opera
Beethoven had finally finished his opera, Leonore, the only opera he ever composed. He wrote and re-wrote four different overtures He struggled with this composition and spent a great deal of time revising the opera, including a name change, to Fidelio. This date in 1805 was the opening performance before a small audience of French officers. This is significant because his romantic drama opera is his only opera and it is very famous today (Lvbeethoven.com). -
Gains Custody of his Nephew
Beethoven's brother Caspar van Beethoven died on this day in 1815 and assigned custody of his son Karl van Beethoven to both Karl's mother and Ludwig, This sparked a heated custody battle between the two, which Beethoven eventually won. While Beethoven won the custody battle, the boy was very rebellious, and Beethoven was not a loving father figures This event is significant because it showed Beethoven's attempt to be a father and to have someone to continue his legacy (Biography.com). -
Offically Deaf
Beethoven had started to lose his hearing when he was only 27 and he had completely lost his hearing at age 45 (Bragg 99). “I will take Fate by the throat… Oh! It is so beautiful to live---- to live a thousand times.” These words were written when he was tortured with the knowledge that he was rapidly becoming deaf (Burch 59). This is significant because Beethoven continued to compose some of his greatest and most famous masterpieces when he couldn't even hear what they sounded like. -
Performed his Missa Solemnis and his Ninth Symphony
Beethoven was ready to present his Missa Solemnis and his ninth symphony to the public, but he decided that the Viennese no longer understood or appreciated his works so he tried to arrange a premiere of the two masterpieces in Berlin. A group of distinguished Viennese nobels signed a petition imploring Beethoven to conduct his masterpieces in Vienna.This grand performance at the Court Theater was significant because it was the largest composition Beethoven had ever created (Jacobs 130). -
Death
Beethoven died in Vienna, Austria at the age of 56. Beethoven developed pneumonia and later dropsy. The doctors drilled a hole in his stomach to drain the fluid caused by the dropsy. The hole became infected so they then tried to sweat the liquid out with a steam bath but his body just absorbed the steam. An artist was summoned to draw Beethoven shortly before he took his last breaths. The significant contribution he made to music was realized after his death (Bragg 99-102).
