Important Events and People During the Renaissance By tiggerluvr Period: Jan 1, 1000 to Dec 31, 2000 The Renaissance Jan 1, 1296 Florentine Started Building an Eight-sided Cathedral Jan 1, 1300 The Renaissance period Begins Jan 1, 1450 Johannes Gutenburg improved on existing printing methods Apr 15, 1475 Michelangelo was Born Apr 15, 1564 Michelangelo Died Jan 1, 1600 The Renaissance Period Ends