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The Medici family becomes the head of the city-state of Florence.
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Johannes Gutenberg invents the printing press.
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The Ottoman Empire captures the city of Constantinople, signaling an end to the Byzantine Empire.
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Henry VII becomes king of England beginning the reign of the House of Tudor.
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Explorer Christopher Columbus discovers the Americas.
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Michelangelo begins his work on the sculpture David.
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Sir Thomas More publishes his work Utopia on political philosophy.
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Martin Luther posts his 95 theses on the door of the Church of Wittenberg. This signals the start of the Reformation.