In the 15th century, empires for the first time expand across oceans. China sends out huge fleets, but recalls them on the brink of world domination. In Italy, wealthy creates great art in the Renaissance. In Mexico, the Aztecs build a city of blood in the middle of a lake. The Ottomans conquer Constantinople and call the Mediterranean their own.
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Christopher Columbus’ Letter to Raphael Sanchez
Introduction How to treat the indigenous people became an issue as soon as the Spanish arrived in the Western Hemisphere. In this letter written soon after his first voyage, Christopher Columbus explained how he dealt with the natives and revealed his and Spain’s religious motive for exploring what he conceived to be, in explicitly religious terms (see Christopher Columbus to Doña Juana de Torres, 1500) a New ...
Italian Explorer Christopher Columbus Discovered the “New World” of the Americas on an Expedition ‘Led by Hand of God’
On several occasions Columbus gave credit to the Almighty. In writing to the Spanish leaders, he said, “Our Lord unlocked my mind, sent me upon the sea, and gave me fire for the deed. Who heard of my enterprise, called it foolish, mocked me, and laughed. But who can doubt but that the Holy Ghost inspired me?” (Jacob Wassermann, Columbus, Don Quixote of the Seas, trans. Eric Sutton, ...
Europe’s First Mass-produced Book – the Gutenberg Bible – was Printed with Movable Type in Mainz, Germany
Though it is not certain, many scholars agree that the Gutenberg Bible was published in Mainz, Germany on this day. The printing of the Gutenberg Latin language Bible was one of the most significant events that took place in human history. Prior to 1455, books were mainly in possessions of very wealthy and influential people. The books were definitely not cheap. Copying was long, tedious work ...
Italian Navigator, Amerigo Vespucci, is born in Florence, Italy
He played a significant role in the establishment of America. He was the first to establish that America was a new continent and not a part of Asia. Amerigo's legacy is not only his name, but in his dignity and devotion to the divine. Amerigo had believed for years before any actual discovery that there was a New World. 'Those new regions which we found we ...
Joan of Arc Burnt at the Stake in Rouen’s Market Square in France
A young peasant girl who could neither read nor write, she followed the voices and visions from God and completely reversed the course of the 100 Year War (with England occupying most cities) and kept France from becoming a colony of England. Greatly celebrated by her own people she was hated by the English who ultimately captured her and rigged a trial under the auspices of ...
Religious Reformer, Jan Hus, Burned at the Stake as a Heretic
Jan Hus, a Bohemian religious reformer, was condemned as a heretic and burned at the stake for his belief that Christ alone was the head of the church and that people should be permitted to read the Bible in their own language and in their own homes. Manuscripts of Wycliffe's bible were used as kindling for the fire that burned him at the stake. Ryan M ...
Battle of Grunwald during the Polish–Lithuanian–Teutonic War
The Battle of Grunwald was one of the most significant battles in medieval European history and was one of the first major successes for the new military tactics and organization of longbow military strategy. Considered one of the largest battles in medieval Europe history, the war was fought between the Kingdom of Poland and the Kingdom of Lithuania, who joined forces against the Teutonic Order. The ...