-
Period: 1400 to
European Exploration
European Exploration was an age, lasting from the early 15th century to the early 17th century, in which European ships were traveled around the world to search for new trading routes and partners. It was during this period, that Europe discovered new lands that were previously unknown to them. -
1434
Prince Henry's Expedition Passes Cape Bojador
Cape Bojador is a point in modern-day-West Sahara that was considered impossible to pass for European Explorers. Prince Henry's Expedition finally passed the point, after 14 attempts, in 1434. -
1440
Johannes Gutenberg Invents the Printing Press
The printing press was one of the most important inventions in history, as it allowed for the transfer of information to become exponentially quicker. The first major book printed in his new invention is known as the "Gutenberg Bible." -
Period: 1440 to
The Renaissance
The Renaissance was a period in European history, regarded as the cultural bridge between the Middle Ages and modern history. -
1455
Johannes Gutenberg Prints a Latin Bible
In 1455, Johannes Gutenberg used his invention, the printing press, to print the world's first ever printed book: a Latin Bible. -
1492
Christopher Columbus Lands in America
Christopher Columbus had intended to find an alternate nautical route to India, by going East instead of West. Instead, he landed in America, under the impression that he had landed in India. -
1498
Leonardo da Vinci Paints The Last Supper
The Last Supper was a painting, done by Leonardo da Vinci in 1498, that depicts Jesus Christ and his disciples during the Last Supper. It is one of the most recognizable works of art in the world. -
1503
Leonardo da Vinci Paints the Mona Lisa
The Mona Lisa is a painting, done by Leonardo da Vinci in 1503, and is one of the most valuable works of art in the world, today. The style that was used, tilting the subjects face slightly to give it depth, was a concept that began in the Renaissance and it displayed perfectly in the painting. -
1504
Michael Angelo Completes the David
One of Michaelangelo's masterpieces, the David, is a statue of David, from the Bible, and was completed in 1504. -
1509
Desiderious Erasmus Writes "In Praise of Folly"
"In Praise of Folly" is an essay written in Latin in 1509 by Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam and first printed in June 1511. It is a critique of superstitions and other traditions of European society as well as on the western Church. It is considered one of the most important works of the Renaissance. -
1512
Michael Angelo Completes the Sistine Chapel Ceiling
Michael Angelo was a painter, sculptor, and architect that influenced western art during the renaissance tremendously. He began painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling in 1508 and finished in 1512. It is one of his most famous and most impressive works. -
Period: 1517 to
The Reformation
The Reformation was a schism in Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther and continued by John Calvin and other early Protestant Reformers in 16th-century Europe. -
Oct 31, 1517
Martin Luther Publicly Displays His 95 Theses
Martin Luther was one of the most important figures in the Protestant Reformation. According to legend, he nailed his work "95 Theses" against a church door, which contained complaints against the Catholic Church. -
1521
Hernan Cortez Captures the Aztec Empire
Hernan Cortez led a conquest that ultimately toppled the Aztec Empire. -
Jan 3, 1521
Martin Luther is Excommunicated from the Church
On January 3, 1521, Pope Leo X issues the papal bull Decet Romanum Pontificem, which excommunicates Martin Luther from the Catholic Church. -
1522
Magellan's Fleet Circumnavigates the Globe
While Ferdinand Magellan himself was killed during the expedition, his fleet, 3 years after departing from Spain, successfully circumnavigated the globe for the first time in history. -
1524
Vasco da Gama Traveled to India Around Africa and Back
Vasco da Gama, 1st Count of Vidigueira, was a Portuguese explorer and the first European to reach India by sea. -
1534
King Henry VIII Founds the Church of England
King Henry succeeded from the Roman Catholic Church because the Pope refused to give him permission to have a divorce with his wife. Henry then founded his own church, the Church of England, as a part of the Protestant Movement. The Church of England went on to become the official state church of England. -
1534
Jacques Cartier Sails through St. Lawrence River
Jacques Cartier was a Breton explorer who claimed what is now Canada for France. -
1535
Francisco Pizarro Conquers the Inca Empire
Spanish conquistador who led an expedition that conquered the Inca Empire. -
1536
John Calvin Publishes "Institutes of the Christian Religion"
John Calvin was a French-Swiss figure of the Protestant Reformation and is regarded as one of the most important figures of the movement. His book "Institutes of the Christian Religion" was published in Latin in 1536. The book was an attempt to standardize the ideas of the Protestant movement. -
Sep 27, 1540
St. Ignatius of Loyola Founds the Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus, founded in Paris, France by St. Ignatius of Loyola, was a religious order that worked as missionaries for the pope and took harsh vows like humility, starvation, and celebecy. -
1543
Copernicus Publishes De revolutionibus orbium coelestium
Copernicus Publishes De revolutionibus orbium coelestium, which caused a break through in astronomy. -
Period: 1543 to
Scientific Revolution
The Scientific Revolution was a period in which advances in math, physics, astronomy, biology, and chemistry began to become, what we see now as, modern science. It lasted from the mid-1500s to the late-1600s. -
Period: 1550 to
Age of Absolutism
The Age of Absolutism was a period after Exploration, which provided European nations extreme amounts of wealth, that strengthened their kings into absolute monarchs. -
1559
Church of England Made Official State Church
Queen Elizabeth I made the Church of England the official church in England after her father, Henry VIII, created the relgiion and she took power as queen. -
1580
Sir Francis Drake Circumnavigates the Globe
In 1580, Sir Francis Drake successfully circumnavigated the globe for the first time in history since Magellan's fleet. -
Spanish Armada Defeated
The Spanish Armada was a Spanish fleet of 130 ships that sailed from La Coruña to England in early summer 1588. They were defeated with Queen Elizabeth I in power and Sir Francis Drake as 2nd in command -
William Shakespear Writes Hamlet
Hamlet was a tragedy written by William Shakespear, in 1599 about the Prince of Denmark. It is one of William Shakespear's most famous plays. -
William Shakespeare writes Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet was a tragedy written by William Shakespear, about a boy and a girl in love. Along with Hamlet, it is one of Shakespear's most frequently performed plays. It is also one of the most well recognized plays in the world. -
Don Quixote is published
Don Quixote, the novel, is published by Spanish author, Miguel de Cervantes -
Galileo invented the telescope
Galileo refined/invented the concept of a telescope. -
Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion Created
Johannes Kepler creates the Laws of Planetary Motion, which are still used today. -
30 Years War Begins
The Thirty Years' War was a war fought primarily in Central Europe between 1618 and 1648, over Catholicism vs Protestantism. -
Beginning of Charles I's Reign
From 1625 - 1649 Charles I ruled the 3 kingdoms untill his execution -
William Harvey writes De Motu Cordis
De Motu Cordis established the movement of human blood and is still used today. -
Period: to
English Civil War
The English Civil War consisted of conflicts and political disputes between Parliamentarians and Royalists over, the manner of England's government. -
Beginning of Louis XIV’s reign
Louis XIV became king at the age of 6. He reigned until 1715. -
Thomas Hobbes writes Leviathan
Thomas Hobbes publishes Leviathan, which was a principle work of the enlightenment movement. -
Beginning of Oliver Cromwell's Reign
Oliver Cromwell's Reign lasted from 1653-1658 -
Beginning of Charles II's Reign
King Charles II Reigned from 1660 - 1685 until his death -
Beginning of Peter the Great's Reign
Peter the Great became Tsar of Russia from 1672 - 1725. -
Louis XIV Moved the Court to the Palace of Versailles
Louis XIV uses transforms his father's hunting cabin into a palce. -
Period: to
The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment was a European intellectual movement, that concerned such subjects like God, nature, liberty, reason, and humanism. It lasted from 1685-1815. -
Newton Creates the Laws of Motion
Sir Isaac Newton creates the 3 Laws of Motion, which are still used today. -
Period: to
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution referrs to the nonviolent transfer of power between King James II of England, and William and Mary. -
John Locke writes "Two Treatises of Government"
John Locke publishes his book "Two Treatises of Government," one of the most significant works from the enlightenment movement. -
William and Mary Take Power
The Throne of England is passed non-violently to King James' daughter, Mary, and her husbad William of Orange. -
Beginning of Fredrick the Great's Reign
Fredrick the Great became the leader of Prussia. He ruled until 1786. -
End of War of Austrian Succession
Lasting from 1740 to 1748 War of Austrian Succession, Frederick the great fought Austria to gain more land. -
Baron de Montesquieu publishes the Spirit of the Laws
Baron de Montesquieu publishes the Spirit of the Laws, a major work from the enlightenment movement. -
Voltaire publishes Candide
Voltaire publishes Candide, a major work from the enlightenment movement. -
Jean-Jacques Rousseau publishes the Social Contract
Jean-Jacques Rousseau publishes the Social Contract, which was a significant work from the Enlightenment movement. -
Beginning of Reign of Terror
The King and Queen are executed in France, marking the beginning of the Reign of Terror by Robespierre. -
Period: to
The French Revolution
The French Revolution was a movement that lasted from 1789-1799 in France. It overthrew the monarchy and established a republic. -
Napoleon is exiled to St. Helena
Napoleon is exiled for the second time, this time to a remote island in the atlantic. -
Eugene Delacroix paints "Liberty Leading the People"
Eugene Delacroix paints "Liberty Leading the People," which depicts Lady Liberty leading the French Revolution
