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Feb 19, 1473
Nicolaus Copernicus
In 1543, Nicolaus Copernicus proposed his heliocentric universe model, which suggested that the Earth and other planets revolved around the sun. His groundbreaking theories challenged the long-held belief that the Earth was the center of the universe and laid the groundwork for the development of modern astronomy. His work was pivotal as it encouraged the scientific exploration of the universe and inspired others to explore and challenge existing beliefs. -
Jan 22, 1561
Francis Bacon
In 1603, Francis Bacon was appointed Attorney General of England by King James I. He was an influential philosopher and statesman during the Enlightenment and is often considered the father of modern scientific methods. He promoted the idea of empirical observation and experimentation as the basis for knowledge and argued that the application of the scientific method could be used to benefit society. -
Feb 15, 1564
Galileo Galilei
In 1610, Galileo Galilei was the first to observe and document the four largest moons of Jupiter, which came to be known as the Galilean Moons. His evidence of the heliocentric model of the solar system and his use of the telescope to view the night sky revolutionized the scientific understanding of the universe and laid the groundwork for the Enlightenment. -
Rene Descartes
In 1641, Rene Descartes published his most influential work, Discourse on the Method, which presented a rationalist approach to understanding the world and served as a foundation for the Enlightenment. His ideas about the importance of reason and logic and the application of scientific methods to understanding the world were very influential during this period and helped to shape the Enlightenment movement. -
John Locke
John Locke was an influential English philosopher in the late 17th century who wrote Two Treatises of Government in 1679. This work was hugely influential in the Revolutionary Era, as it argued that individuals have natural rights to life, liberty, and property and that government should be limited in its power and exist to protect those rights. Locke's philosophies became a cornerstone of the American Revolution. -
Isaac Newton
In 1666, Isaac Newton made a breakthrough in mathematics, developing his laws of motion and calculus. His work laid the foundations of modern physics. He is widely considered one of the most influential scientists of all time. His discoveries revolutionized the scientific understanding of the universe and provided the basis for the Enlightenment, a period of scientific and intellectual progress in the 17th and 18th centuries. -
Montesquieu
In 1748, Montesquieu published his influential work, The Spirit of the Laws, which laid out the idea of the separation of powers. His concepts of checks and balances and limited government greatly influenced the revolutionaries of the era, including Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Montesquieu's ideas had a lasting impact on forming governments and are still used today in democracies worldwide. -
Voltaire
In 1763, Voltaire was appointed royal historian to the court of King Louis XV. He was a prolific writer during this period, which included works such as Candide and Philosophical Letters. His writings were influential in developing the ideas of the Enlightenment, which served as the intellectual foundation for the French Revolution. The French public widely read his works, and their exposure to his criticisms of the existing political system helped to fuel the revolutionary spirit in France. -
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
In 1762, Jean-Jacques Rousseau published his book "The Social Contract," which outlined his ideas about the structure of society and the role of the government in it. His theories of social and political democracy heavily influenced the French Revolution and the development of modern democracy. He also argued for the natural rights of man to life, liberty, and property, which were later enshrined in the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. -
Denis Diderot
In 1751, Denis Diderot published his most famous and influential work, the Encyclopédie, a comprehensive encyclopedia that contained articles on many topics from science to philosophy. This work was impressive to the Revolutionary era because its publication marked the beginning of the Enlightenment movement, which was a period of reform and intellectual progress that changed the way people thought and challenged traditional beliefs and social norms. -
Adam Smith
Adam Smith was a Scottish philosopher and economist who published his landmark work, "The Wealth of Nations," in 1776. This book is considered one of the first comprehensive works of economics and introduced the concept of laissez-faire economics, or free markets. His ideas had a humongous impact on the economy of the United States during the Revolutionary Era, and his influence can still be seen today. -
George Washington
In 1776, George Washington led the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War against the British. His military leadership was instrumental in securing victory and independence for the American colonies. He also served as the first president of the United States, setting the foundation for a massive and stable government. Washington's actions during the Revolutionary Era are highly regarded and have helped shape the United States of America as we know it today. -
James Watt
James Watt was a Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer who made significant contributions to the Industrial Revolution in 1764. He was a figure in the development of the steam engine, which allowed for the increased use of machinery in factories, mines, and transportation. The steam engine he invented was more efficient than previous models, and it played a humongous role in the shift from manual labor to mechanical labor in the 18th century. -
Thomas Jefferson
In 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, an influential document that declared the United States independent from Great Britain. This document was a huge factor in the American Revolution because it provided a legal justification for the colonies to declare independence and allowed the framework for the new nation. Jefferson also served as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress and was a notable voice in the debate for independence. -
Miguel Hidalgo
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla was a Mexican priest who played a humongous role in the Mexican War of Independence. In 1810, he issued the famous Grito de Dolores, which declared Mexico's independence from Spain. This call to arms is considered the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence. -
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
In 1786, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote the opera The Marriage of Figaro, which was a huge success and increased his popularity. The opera was notable for its revolutionary themes, such as its emphasis on the equality of the classes and its criticism of the aristocracy. The Marriage of Figaro was viewed as a good symbol of the coming changes of the Revolutionary Era. -
Maximillien Robespierre
Maximilien Robespierre was a key figure during the French Revolution. In 1789, he was elected as a deputy to the Estates-General from Arras and soon after being elected to the National Assembly. -
Simon Bolivar
Simon Bolivar was a Venezuelan military and political leader who played a role in the Spanish-American Wars of Independence. In 1821, Bolivar declared independence from Spain and proclaimed himself the first president of Gran Colombia, a federation of present-day Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, and Ecuador. Bolivar's leadership was instrumental in the success of the Revolution, as he led a series of military campaigns that liberated much of South America from Spanish rule.