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Jan 17, 1377
Pope Gregory XI Moves the Papacy back to Rome
The papacy was moved to France in 1309, and the church became more corrupt. It was less focused on religion, and more on power and kings. (https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregory-XI) -
Jun 1, 1410
Donatello Creates Statue of St. George
The exact date that Donatello started working on his statue is unknown, but we do know that he worked on it between 1410-1417, and it was very sophisticated for this time. His statue included such immense detail that it is no wonder how it took him 7 years to create. (Artistic Movements of the Renaissance PP, http://www.artble.com/artists/donatello/sculpture/st_george) -
Jul 6, 1415
Jan Hus is Burned at the Stake for Questioning the Church
Jas Hus questions the vast wealth of the church, and because of his statement of fact, he was killed. His execution took place in 1415, after being accused of heresy against the doctrines of the Church. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Hus) -
Jun 1, 1420
Filippo Brunelleschi is appointed leader of construction
Filippo designed and build the Basilica di San Lorenzo in Florence, alongside his long time rival, Lorenzo Ghiberti. Filippo is the one who designed the dome structure, and did the calculations on how to distribute weight. (Artistic Movements of the Renaissance PP, http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2014/02/il-duomo/mueller-text) (Unknown exact date) -
Jun 1, 1430
Arnault de Zwolle creates a diagram of the function of the Harpsichord
The Harpsichord was an instrument invented in the Renaissance period. It is an older version of the piano, but plucks strings instead of hitting them with a hammer. -
Sep 5, 1434
Cosimo de' Medici becomes leader of Florence
Cosimo was the first of the Medici family to become the leader of Florence. His future generations would also reign after his death, and continue to support the arts. He is the most famous patron of the Renaissance time. (Medici Reading and Review) -
Jun 1, 1440
Printing Press is Invented
The printing press is one of the most significant and important inventions of all time. Created by Johannes Gutenberg, the device could copy works of art many times over, allowing things to spread throughout the world on paper. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printing_press) -
Jan 1, 1449
Lorenzo de' Medici is Born
The Medici family were a huge power in Italy. They had bloodlines connecting to royalty and religious figures. The son of Lorenzo became Pope Leo X, who was the pope during much of Martin Luther's time. The Medici's were also huge Patrons of the Arts during this time. (Medici Reading and Review) -
Mar 15, 1493
Christopher Columbus Brings Sweet Potatoes to Europe
Sweet Potatoes became a delicacy in Europe after Columbus brought them back from his voyages to the Americas. They were already a well established food in South and Central America at this time, but were unknown to the Europeans. -
Jun 1, 1496
Wallpaper is Created
Paper was widely used in England and throughout Europe in the Renaissance, and hence came wallpaper. It became a widely used product among higher ups and royalty for a long time. (http://www.bookunitsteacher.com/renaissance/inventions.htm) -
Jun 1, 1503
da Vinci Creates the Mona Lisa
The Mona Lisa is considered the most popular work of art in all of history. It is a portrait of Lisa Gherardini. The exact date that it was started and finished is unknown. -
Jun 1, 1504
Raphael Paints The Marriage of the Virgin
Raphael painted the historical image of the Virgin Mary getting married to the well known St. Joseph, both are historic figures in Christianity. (http://totallyhistory.com/the-marriage-of-the-virgin/) -
Jun 1, 1508
Michelangelo Paints the Sistine Chapel Ceiling
The Sistine Chapel ceiling is extremely well known, especially for its art, painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512. It is rumored that he had people painting for him, and he himself took credit after. (http://www.italianrenaissance.org/a-closer-look-michelangelos-painting-of-the-sistine-chapel-ceiling/) -
Jun 1, 1508
Pavane has its Earliest Roots
The Pavane is a dance that was very popular in the 16th century. It was more of a slow walk to show off clothes, rather than a dance. (Life During the Renaissance PP) -
Mar 3, 1513
Leo X Becomes Pope
Pope Leo X was the pope during Luther's time, and was a main factor in the corruption of the church, as he allowed it to happen and encouraged it. (http://www.pbs.org/empires/martinluther/char_leo.html) -
Jun 1, 1513
The Prince is Written
The Prince, by Niccolò Machiavelli, is a book about his opinions on how a leader should work, and how they should rule. It was a very popular book at the time, and its content and ideas are widely known throughout the world. (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16201.Niccol_Machiavelli) -
Feb 21, 1517
Pope Leo X Offers Indulgences to be Sold
The selling of indulgences was one of the most corrupt things that the church did. Indulgences that were bought were supposed to lower the amount of time a person or their loved one spent in Purgatory, the time between divine judgement. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indulgence#History) -
Oct 31, 1517
Luther Nails his Theses To the Door of Wittenburg Castle Church
The 95 Theses are ideas and statements by the Reformist Martin Luther. He nailed them to the door of Wittenburg Castle Church so that the church officials could see their own corruption. (Martin Luther and Reformation PP) -
Jun 1, 1534
Luther's Completely Translated Bible is Published
The bible was always in Latin before Luther's time. No one could read it, except high church officials and the rare other people that spoke Latin. His bible was a turning point in the Reformation. (Martin Luther and Reformation PP) -
Jan 22, 1561
Francis Bacon is Born
Francis Bacon was another very well known philosopher. He is also well known for promoting the scientific method. (http://www.biography.com/people/francis-bacon-9194632#synopsis) -
Lenses are Invented
The first lens guided microscope was created in the Netherlands, and revolutionized the world. Astronomers were able to create telescopes to observe space at a whole new level, and glasses were then used as well. (http://www.bookunitsteacher.com/renaissance/inventions.htm) -
Shakespeare Writes Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is one of the most influential and famous plays of all time. It has many adaptations in movies, music, and operas. The musical is about 2 rival families who have children who fall in love with each other, and end up dying. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romeo_and_Juliet) -
Rene Descartes is Born
Descartes is considered the father of modern philosophy, and is the creator of the Descartes rule in math. He helped to figure out many mathematical functions that we still use today. (http://www.biography.com/people/ren-descartes-37613) -
Hamlet is Written by William Shakespeare
Shakespeare is regarded as one of the best writers in history, and wrote many books and plays. Many of which are regarded as some of the most important literary works of all time, like Hamlet. It, along with Romeo and Juliet, is one of the most recreated shows of all time. (https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/renaissance) -
Galileo Publishes His Book
The Operations of the Geometrical and Military Compass was a book published by famed astronomer Galileo Galilei. He made many different discoveries during his life, and was shamed and punished for many of them. (http://www.biography.com/people/galileo-9305220#synopsis)