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Jan 1, 1453
Ottomans led by Mehmet take Constantinople, ending Byzantine empire
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Jan 1, 1462
Ivan III "the Great") ends Russian tribute to the Golden Horde
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Jan 1, 1465
Rise of Songhai empire in W Africa (to 1591)
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Jan 1, 1488
Portuguese enter Indian Ocean trade
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Jan 1, 1492
Spanish Inquisition & Columbus reaches the New World
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Jan 1, 1501
Safavid Empire established by Shah Ismail in Iran
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Oct 31, 1517
Protestant Reformation led by Martin Luther
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Jan 1, 1519
Charles V of Habsubrg family in Austria becomes Holy Roman Emperor
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Jan 1, 1521
Hernan Cortes conquers Aztecs
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Jan 1, 1526
Founding of Mughal India by Babur ends Delhi Sultanate rule
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Jan 1, 1533
Francisco Pizarro conquers Incan empire- defeats Atahualpa
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Jan 1, 1540
Scientific Revolution
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Jan 1, 1545
Silver discovered in Potosi, Bolivia leads to rise of Spanish as world power
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Dutch East India Company given a legal monopoly over Dutch trade in Indian Ocean
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Japanese Edo Period begins (Tokugawa Shogunate)
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Japan closes doors to foreigners
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Qing Empire established by Manchus in China
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Peter the Great comes to power in Russia
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Enlightenment begins (Age of Reason)
