16th Century

By 14771
  • Jan 1, 1500

    Madonna and Child

    Madonna and Child
    Michelangelo begins work on the Modonna and Child sculpture.
  • Jan 1, 1503

    Mona Lisa

    Mona Lisa
    Leonardo Da Vinci paints the Mona Lisa.
  • May 20, 1506

    Christopher Columbus

    Christopher Columbus
    Christopher Colombus dies in Spain.
  • Jan 1, 1508

    Sistine Chapel

    Sistine Chapel
    Michelangelo paints the Sistine Chapel.
  • Apr 21, 1509

    Henry VIII

    Henry VIII
    Henry VIII assumes the throne of England.
  • Oct 31, 1517

    The Reformation Begins

    The Reformation Begins
    Martin Luther posts the 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenburg Church.
  • Jun 28, 1519

    Charles V

    Charles V
    Charles V becomes Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.
  • Aug 10, 1519

    Circumnavigation

    Circumnavigation
    Ferdinand Magellan leaves Spain to begin the first circumnavigation of the world.
  • Apr 18, 1521

    Diet of Worms

    Diet of Worms
    Martin Luther refuses to recant his critique of the Catholic Church and Charles V declares him a heretic.
  • Jun 21, 1527

    Machiavelli

    Machiavelli
    Niccolò Machiavelli dies in Italy.
  • Jan 1, 1532

    The Prince

    The Prince
    The first printed version of The Prince is published five years after the author's, Machiavelli's, death.
  • Jan 1, 1532

    The Church of England

    The Church of England
    England splits from Roman Catholic Church; Henry VIII confiscates church property and establishes Church of England.
  • Jul 6, 1535

    Sir Thomas More

    Sir Thomas More
    Sir Thomas More, an English lawyer, social philosopher, author, statesman and noted Renaissance humanist, is executed.
  • May 19, 1536

    Ann Boleyn

    Ann Boleyn
    Ann Boleyn, married to Henry VIII, is executed after failing to produce a male heir.
  • Jan 1, 1543

    De revolutionibus orbium coelestium

    De revolutionibus orbium coelestium
    Nicolaus Copernicus publishes his book on the heleocentric theory shortly before his death on May 24, 1543.
  • Jan 28, 1547

    Edward VI

    Edward VI
    Edward VI ascends the throne, but dies after 6 years and 159 days.
  • Jul 19, 1553

    Mary I

    Mary I
    Mary I becomes Queen of England.
  • Jan 1, 1555

    Marian Persecutions

    Mary I, a catholic, persecutes hundreds of protestants during her reign.
  • Sep 25, 1555

    Peace of Augsburg

    Peace of Augsburg
    It officially ended the religious struggle between Lutherans and the Holy Roman Catholic Church.
  • Nov 17, 1558

    Elizabeth I

    Elizabeth I
    Elizabeth I becomes Queen of England.
  • Jan 1, 1572

    St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre

    St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre
    St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre begins in France; Thousands of Calvinist Huguenots killed throughout France.
  • Roanoke Island

    Roanoke Island
    English attempt to establish colony on Roanoke Island; All colonists disappear.
  • Mary, Queen of Scots

    Mary, Queen of Scots
    Mary, Queen of Scots, is executed.
  • Spanish Armada

    Spanish Armada
    Spanish Armada defeated by English fleet; Spanish invasion of England fails due to battle and weather.