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1395
Johannes Gutenberg
Johannes Gutenberg invented the first printing press with moveable type. This kicked off a literary revolution. Now that books could more easily be printed, education in reading and writing quickly spread. -
1400
Humanism
Humanism focuses on education and creativity. It emphasizes worldly issues over religious matters. Many famous scholars and artists of the Renaissance were humanists. -
1415
Perspective
Perspective is credited to Fillipo Brunelleschi. It is used in art to create depth. The more distant objects are, the smaller they appear. This also led to advancement in architecture, -
1440
Printing Revolution
Although the printing press was first used in China, German inventor, Johannes Gutenberg kicked off the printing revolution with his movable type. He first printed the Bible, which would eventually be translated into and printed in the vernacular. Mass printing allowed literacy to spread. -
Jul 15, 1452
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci is most famous as a Renaissance artist. His work includes the "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper." Along with being an artist, da Vinci was also an architect, engineer, and inventor. He designed flying machines and submarines long before they were actually ever made. -
Oct 27, 1466
Desiderius Erasmus
Erasmus had a religious background and became a well-known scholar. He called for the Bible to be translated into the vernacular, allowing literacy to spread even more. He believed in non-radical religious reform. -
Feb 29, 1468
Pope Paul III
Pope Paul III was the final pope of he Renaissance and the first of the Counter Reformation. He was a patron of the arts and part of the Medici Circle. Pope Paul III called the Council of Trent. -
May 3, 1469
Niccolo Machiavelli
Writer and politician, Niccolo Machiavelli, was the author or "The Prince." In, "The Prince," Machiavelli stressed that in being a successful ruler, the ends justify the means. He became known for his violence and deceit. -
May 21, 1471
Albrecht Dürer
Dürer was an innovative artist of his time. Like many others, his work often included religious scenes or portraits. However, Dürer became well-known for his woodcuts and engravings which utilized techniques used in painting. -
Feb 19, 1473
Nicolaus Copernicus
Copernicus was an astronomer and mathematician during the Renaissance and Reformation. He proposed a heliocentric model of the universe. This was viewed as going against the church, because it was widely accepted at the time that the universe was geocentric. -
Mar 6, 1475
Michelangelo
Michelangelo was a true Renaissance man. He was an inventor, painter, sculptor, poet, and architect. His best known works are his statue of David, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and the dome of St. Peter's Cathedral. -
1478
Inquisition
The Spanish Inquisition was meant to do away with heresy. If beliefs went against the Catholic Church, they would be punished. This marked a time of torture and execution. -
Nov 10, 1483
Martin Luther
Martin Luther was a religious man, but he found corruption in the Catholic Church. He proposed 95 theses in order to improve the church, but this had him declared an outlaw. Luther broke away from the church and started his own religion, Lutheranism. -
Jun 28, 1491
King Henry VIII
Henry VIII started the English Reformation by getting a divorce. This was not allowed in his time, so the king took over the church and got an anullment anyway. King Henry VIII married six times. -
Jul 10, 1509
John Calvin
John Calvin was a political figure and theologian. Like Luther, he broke away from the church during the Protestant Reformation. He was Luther's successor. -
Jul 6, 1520
Raphael
Raphael was an Italian Renaissance painter and architect. His most famous works depict the Madonna. Raphael also composed large figures for the Vatican. -
1545
Council of Trent
The Council of Trent was meant to make the intentions and beliefs of the Catholic Church clear. It was formed as part of the Counter Reformation. Its main purpose was to condemn Protestant beliefs. -
Jan 22, 1561
Francis Bacon
Bacon believed that science should be useful improve technology. Prior to this, it was used as an explanation for the Bible and the teachings of the church. Bacon strongly believed in observation and experimentation, which would lead into the development of the scientific method. -
Feb 15, 1564
Galileo Galilei
Astronomer Galileo Galilei supported Copernicus's belief in heliocentricism. He made many scientific advancements in physics and created the modern telescope. Galileo was forced by the church to recant all of his findings, or face death. -
Scientific Method
The scientific method is a formulaic way to test scientific ideas. It is a step by step process meant to answer questions, reach conclusions, and expand knowledge. The scientific method has many variations.
