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Jan 1, 1347
Bubonic plague begins
Cause of the Black Death in Europe in the 14th century, one of the biggest pandemics in history. It's carried by fleas on rats and is very contagious. -
Jan 1, 1350
Renaissance begins
A cultural movement that was roughly between the years of the 14th to 17 century. Began with learning based on classical sources, such as linear perspective. It is best known for artistic contributions from Michelangelo and Lenonardo da Vinci. -
Jan 1, 1420
Brunelleschi creates Linear Perspective
Linear perspective gave artists a way in able to create the illusion of space on a flat surface. After Brunelleschi rediscovered it, people quickly became obsessed with it. -
Oct 12, 1428
Joan of Arc and the Siege of Orleans
Siege of Orleans was a turning point in the Hundred Years War between France and England. It was also Joan of Arc's first military victory. -
Jan 1, 1445
Johann Gutenberg invents the printing press
Johann's invention started the Printing Revolution which was very important in the Renaissance Period. It's considered one of the most critical inventions of modern period because it spread learning to the masses. -
Aug 1, 1464
Cosimo de Medici dies
Cosimo was the first of the Medici political dynasty, who became the rulers of Florence in the Italian Renaissance. Cosimo was also the wealthiest man of his time and contributed a lot to Renaissance Art. He died in his sleep. -
Jan 1, 1478
Spanish Inquisition begins
Was begun for both political and religious reasons. It was mainly started to root out non-believers of Catholicism in order to unify the country of Spain. It quickly became one of the deadliest inquisitions in history. -
Jan 1, 1486
Sandro Botticelli paints Birth of Venus
Botticelli was comissioned to paint the Birth of Venus for the Medici family. It shows the goddess of Venus emerging from the sea as a woman. -
Jan 1, 1492
Columbus discovers the America's
Although his discovery wasn't the first, it led to a European awareness of the America's. Eventually initiated the Spanish colonization of the New World. -
Jan 1, 1495
da Vinci paints the Last Supper
The painting depicts the last supper of Jesus as told in the Gospel of John. Da Vinci was commisoned to do it when church renovations were taking place by his patron, Ludovico Sforza. -
Period: Jan 1, 1508 to Jan 1, 1512
Michelangelo paints the Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo was responsible for painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling which became an example of High Renaissance Art. The paintings include different individual figures that have helped influence other artists because of the different poses. -
Period: Jan 1, 1510 to Jan 1, 1511
Raphael paints The School of Athens
The School of Athens is regarded as one of the most famous frescoes by Raphael. It was a goal of Raphael to cover the Stanze di Raffaello with frescoes in Italy. The picture is know seen as his biggest masterpiece and the embodiment of High Renaissance Art. -
Jan 1, 1513
Machiavelli writes the Prince
Claimed to be one of the first works of modern philosophy, in particular political philosophy. The printed version wasn't realized until 5 years after Machiavelli's death because of controversy. "He who neglects what is done for what is ought to be done, sooner effects his ruin than his preservation" - Machiavelli, Chap. 15 of the Prince -
Jan 1, 1514
Thomas More Utopia
Utopia depicts an island society and it's religious, political and social customs. What More attempted to acomplish was to make fun European politics at that time and also find loopholes in Catholicism. No matter what the goal was, some of More's philosophies are apparent today. -
Oct 31, 1517
Martin Luther 95 Theses
It's regarded as the initial turning point for the Protestant Reformation He nailed in it on a church door and accused the Roman Catholics of the selling of indulgences. -
Aug 25, 1530
Ivan the Terrible is born
He was the Grand Prince of Moscow from 1533 - 1547 and also the Tsar of All The Russias until his death, He caused numerous changes in the progression from a medieval state to an empire. Ivan was also the first ruler to be crowned the Tsar of All the Russias. -
Aug 15, 1534
Jesuit Order founded by Ignatius Loyola
Ignatius was a Spanish knight and a priest who founded the Society of Jesuits. He became a religious leader during the Counter-Reformation and was extremely obedient towards the Catholic Church's hierarchy and authority. -
Jul 12, 1536
Desiderius Erasmus dies
Was a Dutch Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest and teacher. He is considered "the crowning glory of Christian humanists" for preparing important Latin and Greek editions of the New Testament. -
Dec 17, 1538
Henry VIII of England excommunicated
Pope Paul lll announced his excommunication because of : his divorce to Catherine and marriage to Anne Boleyn, declaring himself supreme head of the church of england and persecuting those who were against the Acts of Supremacy and Succession. -
Jan 1, 1543
Scientific Revolution/Copernicus
The Scientific Revolution was the beginning of modern science where developments in math, physics, astronomy, biology, medicine and chemistry altered the way society sees nature today. Nicolaus Copernicus' book On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres was the start of the Scientific Revolution. -
Jan 1, 1557
Spain declares bankruptcy for the 1st time
Phillip II of Spain inherited Spain's financial problems and declared bankruptcy for the first time in 1557. He liked to get involved in projects too big too handle and put the country in a debt of 85.5 million ducats. -
Jan 15, 1559
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth I
The daughter of Henry VIII, Elizabeth was crowned queen two months after Mary's death at Westminister Abbey. The greatest military threat she had to face was the Spanish Armada sailing towards the island. -
Jan 1, 1560
Start of the European Wars of Religion
The European Wars of Religion began in Europe after on the onset of the Protestant Reformation. They were heavily influenced by religious changes taking place. -
Aug 24, 1572
Saint Bartholomew's Massacre
The massacre was by a group of assassinators and a Roman Catholic mob against the Huguenots during the Wars of Religion. It marked a turning point in this war and is believed to be instigated by Catherine de Medici. -
Edict of Nantes
Put into action by Henry IV of France, it granted rights to the Huguenots in a nation of Catholics. It marked the end of the War of Religions.
