Centuries: Year in Review 16th Century (15th century - 16th century - 17th century)
Decades: 1500s 1510s 1520s 1530s 1540s 1550s 1560s 1570s 1580s 1590s
Events:
- Protestant reform of the Christian church in several countries in Northern Europe.
- King Henry VIII of England breaks with Roman Catholic Church and forms Church of England (1533)
- European explorers conquer Indians in Central and South America, introduce horse to the Americas.
- First cirumnavigation of the globe by a ship of Magellan's expedition (1522).
- Introduction of spinning wheel revolutionizes textile production.
- Ottoman Empire reaches Vienna but fails to conquer the city (1529)
- Copernicus publishes his theory that the Earth revolves around the Sun (1543)
- Gregorian Calendar introduced in catholic countries (1582)
- Poland is the largest state in Europe.
Significant persons:
- Martin Luther, religious reformer
- Michelangelo Buonarotti, painter and sculptor
- Thomas More, English politician and writer