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Birth
Ludwig Van Beethoven was born in December 1770 (Samachson). His parents were Maria Magdalena and Johann Van Beethoven. His place of birth was in Bonn, Germany. Beethoven's actual date of birth is not recorded but it's customary for children to be baptized into the church within 24 hours of birth. It's likely he was born on December 16 (Beethoven History).This event is significant because he was one of the most musically talented people in the world. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party was a protest that occurred on December 16, 1773 in Boston, Massachusetts. Britain imposed "taxation without representation" against the American colonists. The colonists got angry and frustrated and dumped 342 chests of British tea into the harbor (History.com). This event is significant because it is the first major defiance from colonists against Great Britain. It also showed Great Britain that the American colonists weren't going down without a fight. -
Beethoven starts musical training.
Beethoven's father Johann Van Beethoven started Ludwig's musical training at age four. Beethoven showed a lot of talent for music but still wasn't a prodigy like Mozart. Johann pushed his son to practice, leading to endless hours playing the piano, violin, and viola. Beethoven's father pushed him so hard that he was beaten for making mistakes (Samachson). This event is significant because besides his love for music he was fearful and did his best so he wouldn't be beaten. -
British Parliament declares Massachusetts colony is in rebellion
In 1775 British Parliament declares Massachusetts colony is in rebellion. This declaration allowed soldiers to shoot suspected rebels. Britain was one of the most powerful countries in the world at the time (Digital History). This is significant because Great Britain was about to lose power over the colonies in America which would make America its own country and more powerful than Britain. -
Beethoven's first appearance and performance
Beethoven's first public performance took place in 1778 in Cologne. He was the age seven and drew comparisons to the famous prodigy Mozart. In this appearance he played various trios and clavier concertos (Beethoven's History). This event is significant because all of his effort he put in is paying off and performing allows many more people and musicians to see his talent -
Beethoven was recognized and taught by Neefe
After performing at Cologne, he was noticed by court organist Christian Gottlob Neefe. He taught Beethoven music and helped him develop an interest for art (Samachson). Neefe wrote in a publication, "he plays clavier very skillfully and with power and reads at sight very well" (Beethoven History). This event is significant because Neefe helped him become assistant court organist to the elector of Cologne earning him fifty florins a year and allowing him to learn how to conduct an orchestra. -
Beethoven constructs his first piece
in 1783 Beethoven constructs his first music piece, aged 12. It's called "Nine Variations on a March by Dressler." This piece includes harmonies that were very cleverly written. It also includes melodic phrasing (Beethoven's History). This event is significant because it is the first of his pieces and leads to more music being created. Most of this music takes fame in the music world. -
Congress Ratifies Peace
In 1783, the United States continental congress ratifies the peace treaty. This peace treaty was signed with Great Britain (History.com).This event is significant because it brings the United States nation one step closer to ending the Revolutionary War and having freedom from Great Britain. -
Beethoven travels to Vienna to meet Mozart and comes upon the death of his mother
In 1787 at age 16 Beethoven meets his long- held want to travel to Vienna and meet Mozart. Beethoven was actually able to play for Mozart and was extremely impressed by his talent. Soon after seeing Mozart he came home to nurse his mother in her last stages of tuberculosis (Samachson). This event is significant because he was able to achieve his goal in meeting Mozart but also became head of the family because his father was always drunk and mother was sick and soon died. -
The French Revolution
Starting in 1789, french citizens redesigned their countries political landscape. There was a lot of discontent with the french monarchy and how King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette ran France. People in France started to revolt against the absolute monarchy which generated into a chaotic blood bath (History.com).This event is significant because it showed the world how powerful the will of people are and shaped the way other nations acted. -
Beethoven begins lessons with Haydn
Beethoven begins lessons with Haydn who teaches him many things involving music. in order to take lessons with Haydn Beethoven leaves Bonn for Vienna. This is significant because the city of Vienna's most influential musical patrons take Beethoven under their wing. He was put forth to take on Vienna's piano virtuosos in improvisation contests. He soon defeats these and becomes the finest piano virtuosos in the city of Vienna (Beethoven's History). -
Beethoven falls ill
In the summer of the year Beethoven gave his first performance of Quintet op. 16 at Jahn's restaurant in the Himmelpfortgasse Beethoven falls seriously ill. It is said that this ilness is possibly typhus. This is significant because it could mark the beginning of his deafness. As a composer and musician hearing is essential to creating music. This struck Beethoven with a challenge since he was about 60% deaf (Beethoven's History). -
Beethoven wrote Moonlight Sonata
in 1801 Beethoven composed the Moonlight Sonata. Moonlight sonata's original name was called Sonata quas i una Fantasia. This is significant because it was dedicated to countess Giulietta Guicciardi, whom he fell in love with. After his death it became known as Moonlight Sonata and one of the most famous classical pieces in the world (Beethoven's History). -
The Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 was when France gave the United States about 828,000,000 square miles of territory. This territory stretched from the Mississippi river in the east to the Rocky Mountains in the west. This is significant because part or all of fifteen states were created in this land deal (Louisiana Purchase). The United States wouldn't have a lot of states it has today if it wasn't for the Louisiana Purchase. -
The First Photograph
Joseph Nicephore Niepce took the first recorded photograph from his studio in France. Joseph made this possible by using the art of lithography. He was very proud of what he had accomplished but sadly got turned down after presenting his invention to the Royal Society of London. He later started working with Louis Daguerre. This is significant because after Niepce died, Dauguerre introduced photography to wider audience (The First). -
Beethoven's Death
Beethoven suffered with dropsy and it increased as time passed. In 1827 Beethoven died during a thunderstorm. This is a fitting symbol for his stormy life. As news spread that he was dying England sent a large sum of money to make life easier. This is significant because Beethoven died before he was able to use the money. Instead, twenty thousand people lined the streets to pay their last respects in a first-class funeral using the money from England (Samachson).
