Century
16th Century CE
What happened in the 16th Century CE.
ArtPainting of the Mona Lisac. 1503 CE · Florence, ItalyLeonardo da Vinci creates the most famous portrait using sfumato technique.
ArtCompletion of Sistine Chapel CeilingOctober 31, 1512 CE · Vatican City, ItalyMichelangelo finishes frescoes depicting Genesis scenes transforming Renaissance art.
ArtMichelangelo Completes the Sistine Chapel CeilingOctober 31, 1512 · Vatican City, RomeMichelangelo finishes the monumental fresco cycle depicting Genesis.
ReligionLuther Posts Ninety-Five ThesesOctober 31, 1517 CE · Wittenberg, GermanyMartin Luther challenges Catholic Church practices sparking the Protestant Reformation.
TechnologyIntroduction of the Tomato to Europec. 1520 CE · Rome, ItalyTomatoes arrive in Europe from the Americas, revolutionizing global cuisine.
ExplorationMagellan's Circumnavigation CompletedSeptember 6, 1522 CE · Seville, SpainFirst expedition sails around the globe proving Earth is round and vast.
WarBabur's Victory at Panipat and Founding of Mughalsc. 1526 CE · Panipat (modern Haryana/India)Babur defeats the Lodi Sultanate at the First Battle of Panipat, establishing the Mughal Empire in India.
WarSack of RomeMay 6, 1527 · Rome, ItalyMutinous troops of Charles V brutally loot Rome, ending the High Renaissance.
WarBabur's Victory at Khanwac. 1527 CE · Khanwa, Rajasthan, IndiaBabur defeats the Rajput confederacy led by Rana Sanga, consolidating Mughal rule over North India.
ArtMichelangelo Paints the Last JudgmentNovember 1541 · Vatican City, RomeMichelangelo completes the massive fresco on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel.
DisasterBurning of Maya Codices by Bishop LandaJuly 1562 CE · Mani, Yucatan, MexicoSpanish Bishop Diego de Landa orders the destruction of most surviving Maya written records in a campaign against idolatry.
DisasterDestruction of Maya Codices by Bishop LandaJuly 12, 1562 · Maní, Yucatán, MexicoSpanish friars burn nearly all surviving Maya books in a purge of idolatry.
WarBattle of Talikota and Fall of Vijayanagarac. 1565 CE · Talikota, Karnataka, IndiaThe Deccan Sultanates defeat the Vijayanagara Empire in a decisive battle, leading to the sack of Hampi and the empire's collapse.
PoliticsFounding of Fatehpur Sikric. 1571 CE · Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh, IndiaAkbar establishes Fatehpur Sikri as the new capital of the Mughal Empire to honor his spiritual guide and centralize administration.
WarDefeat of the Spanish ArmadaAugust 8, 1588 · English Channel, near Plymouth, UKEnglish fleet and storms destroy the Spanish Armada, shifting naval dominance.