Transition to the Modern World

  • 410

    Rome Falls to the Visigoths

    Led by Aleric, the Visigoths lay siege to the city of Rome, and capture and loot it on August 24th, 410 CE. This symbolically marks the end of the Western Roman Empire
  • Jun 15, 1215

    Magna Carta is signed by King John

    In Runnymede, England, the nobles are fed up with the overwhelming power of the king. They force him to sign a document called Magna Carta, which gives more rights to nobles and the average citizen. It is the first example of a "bill of rights."
  • Jan 1, 1445

    Printing Press is invented

    Johannes Gutenburg inventedthe printing press, which allowed people to print and share their ideas on paper, greatly increasing the spread literature in Europe.
  • Jan 1, 1502

    Michelangelo creates David

    Michelangelo sclupts the biblical figure of David as he is preparing his sling to shoot Goliath. It is on display in Florence, Italy, where it was created.
  • Jan 1, 1504

    Leonardo Da Vinci paints the Mona Lisa

    The famous Mona Lisa, a portrait of Lisa Gheradini, is painted by Leonardo Da Vinci. The picture is very famous, and is now on display at the Louvre in Paris.