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140 BCE
Aristotle explained the geocentric theory.
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140 BCE
Ptolemy supported the geocentric theory.
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1473
Nicolaus Copernicus reasoned the heliocentric theory.
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1543
Andreas Vesalius published On the Fabric of the Human Body-detailing dissection of human bodies.
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Zacharias Janssen invented the microscope.
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The Baroque Period began in art, music, and architecture.
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Galileo developed the law of the pendulum.
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Johannes Kepler published the first two laws of planetary motion.
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Francis Bacon published Novum Organum which encouraged the experimental method.
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William Harvey showed that the heart acted as a pump to circulate blood throughout the body.
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Galileo was put under house arrest by an inquisition for supporting Copernicus's theory.
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Rene Descartes published Discourse on method which set forth his reasoning.
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Evangelista Torricelli developed the first mercury barometer.
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Thomas Hobbes published Leviathan-social contract.
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Robert Boyle created Boyle's Law.
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Anton Van Leeuwenhoek saw red blood cells for the first time.
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Isaac Newton published his law of gravity.
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John Locke explained the theory of "natural rights" (life, liberty, and property).
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Francois-Marie Arouet changed his name to Voltaire and goes on to champion individual freedoms.
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Mary Astell wrote A Serious Proposal to the Ladies-addressing the lack of educational opportunities for women.
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Marie-Theresa Geoffrin held her first salon of philosophies.
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Andres Celsius created a scale for the mercury thermometer.
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Gabriel Fahrenheit made the first thermometer to use mercury in glass.
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The Classical Period began in art, music, and architecture.
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The enlightened despot, Frederick II, began his rule of Prussia.
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Montesquieu published On The Spirit of Laws-detailing separation of powers in government.
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Denis Diderot published the first volume of the Encyclopedia-a collection of enlightened thinkers works.
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Emilie du Chatalet translated Newton's work from Latin into French.
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Jean Jacques Rousseau wrote The Social Contract-free individuals create a society and government.
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The enlightened despot, Catherine the Great, began her rule of Russia.
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Cesare Beccaria published On Crimes and Punishments-railing against common abuses of justice.
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The enlightened despot, Joseph Ii, began his rule of Austria.
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Joseph Priestly discovered oxygen.
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Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.
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Antoine Lavoisier discovered and named gas oxygen.
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The U.S. enacted the constitution-establishing a federal system, separation of powers, checks and balances.
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The U.S. Congress added the Bill of Rights to the Constitution.
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Mary Wollstonecraft wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman-promoting women's education as virtuous.
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Edward Jenner introduced a vaccine to prevent small pox.
