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What led to the American Revolution?
Anno1000 Leif Ericson, a Norseman explored the East Coast of North America and sighted Newfundland.
1215 The Magna Carta document was adopted in England, guaranteeing Liberties to the English people, and basic rights.
1492 Columbus discovered America.
1497 John Cabot of England explored the Atlantic coast of Canada seeking a North West passage to Asia.
1499 The Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci, sighted the coast of South America, during a voyage of discovery for Spain.
1513 Ponce de Leon of Spain landed in Florida.
1517 A fellow by name of Martin Luther "nailed in 1517 his proclamation to the door of the Castle's Church in Wittenbergen" so the legend goes.(1) Martin Luther had been upset about a common practice of the Catholic Church which at the time offered rich people the option to buy a "free ride for their souls into heaven." Without Luther's knowing his thesis was copied over and over and spread like wildfire. Before end of 1517 prints of his 95 complaints and thoughts on the "indulgence" tickets to heaven were available in Leipzig, Nurenberg and Basel. In early 1518 the Catholic Church opened its court-case against Luther in Rom which is known in German history books as the "Ketzerprozess." Such proceeding stopped however, due to the death of Kaiser Maxemilian. What Martin Luther had unintentionally triggered was the Reformation (Library of the University Wittenberg).
1519 Hernando Cortez conquered the Aztec empire. 1519-1522 Fernando Magellan was the first man to sail around the world.
1. It is however more logical that he gave copies of his thesis to a number of good friends and colleagues. We know he send each of his superiors a letter and a copy of his 95 point thesis. Martin Luther was a theology professor at the Wittenberg University and a preacher at the Stadtkirche (the church in the city of Wittenberg).
last updated 01/09/09 |
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