-
He was a fleet admiral during the Ming Dynasty. His ships were huge in size and could've easily dominated the Indian Ocean. They did a great deal of exploration during their efforts to establish Chinese superiority.
-
Born in Portugal, he sponsored many expeditions along the West African coast. This led to new settlements and African connections. On this date, his ships reached the Canary Islands.
-
He was the sultan of the Ottoman Empire when Constantinople was conquered. He also lead conquests in Anatolia.
-
He was a blacksmith who introduced the printing press to Europe. In 1439 he was the first European to use the printing press.
-
He is regarded as the founder of "modern political science". He encouraged what some people saw as "evil" methods of gaining power.
-
He was a Renaissance astronomer. He made a model with the Sun at the center of the universe, instead of Earth.
-
He initiated the Protestant Reformation in Europe. His 95 Theses began an issue that would cause much conflict for years to come.
-
He was the founder of the Safavid Dynasty.
-
He was the first to voyage around the Cape of Good Hope. He paved the way for Vasco de Gama's voyage to India.
-
He founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). He was its General.
-
Columbus sailed to the New World from Europe. He's also known for being extremely uncivilized towards the Native people in the Americas.
-
He was the first king of the Songhai Empire. He captured many cities, such as Timbuktu, and suppressed their scholars. He died on this date.
-
He sailed to India from Portugal. He was the first European to get to India via the ocean.
-
He was a Portuguese mariner who was the first to reach India by sea.
-
He founded a form of Christian theology called Calvinism, in which God had supreme power of human souls.
-
Balboa crossed the Isthmus Panama to reach the Pacific Ocean from the New World, being the first to do so. He settled in Panama.
-
This Portuguese explorer found a way to get from South America to the Spice Islands. He was the first to circumnavigate the globe.
-
He was the emperor of the Aztecs when they were taken over by the Spanish. He was captured and killed.
-
He was an emperor of the Ottoman Empire who expanded into the Safavid Empire and conducted the Siege of Vienna.
-
He overthrew the Aztecs for the Spanish Empire. He became Governor of New Spain on this date.
-
He was the last emperor of the Inca Empire before the Spanish invaded. He was executed by the Spanish on this date.
-
He overtook the Inca Empire and claimed it for Spain! He killed Atahualpa. He was died on this date.
-
He was an emperor of the Mughal Empire. He was extremely tolerant and created a House of Worship, where educated religious discussions took place.
-
He was the first shogun of the Tokugawa Shoganate in Japan.
-
He was one of the founders of the Jesuit China missions!
-
He was essential in solar and other scientific discoveries. He observed sunspots and is called the "father of modern physics".
-
He developed modern political philosophy. He wrote "Leviathan" and contributed to many of today's societal ideas.
-
He was the "father of liberalism". He was an English physician and Enlightenment thinker.
-
He was a Qing Dynasty Emperor who expanded China and, also, defended it. He appointed Jesuits to his court.
-
He was a king of France. On this date he issued the Edict of Nantes, which calmed the Protestant/Catholic struggle after the 30 Years' Wars. He made France a great control of Europe.
-
He was a French Enlightenment writer who criticized the Catholic Church. He wrote many works criticizing the leaders of his day.
-
He was the grandson of Kangxi. He expanded china further and was able to develop a multi-ethnic China!
-
He was a political philosopher who contribute to the French Enlightenment. He was also a composer. He was born on this date.
-
Scottish economist who was a large part of the Scottish Enlightenment. He was also a moral philosopher. He was born on this date.
-
She was a Russian leader who took over after her husband, Peter, died. She made Russia stronger than ever before. She began her reign on this year.