1450s facts for kids

The 1450s were a very important time in history, full of big changes! This decade saw the end of a very long war, the invention of something that changed how we share information forever, and the birth of some truly famous people. Let's explore what made these years so special.

Major Events of the 1450s

This decade was packed with events that shaped the future of Europe and the world. From huge battles to amazing inventions, there was a lot happening!

The Fall of Constantinople

In 1453, a huge event happened: the Fall of Constantinople. This city, now called Istanbul, was the capital of the Byzantine Empire. It was a very old and powerful city. The Ottoman Empire, led by Sultan Mehmed II, attacked and captured it. This marked the end of the Byzantine Empire, which had lasted for over 1,000 years! It was a big moment that changed the balance of power in Europe and Asia.

End of the Hundred Years' War

Also in 1453, the Hundred Years' War finally ended. This long fight between France and England had lasted for more than 100 years, even though its name suggests exactly 100. France won the war, which helped to make it a stronger and more unified country. This victory changed the maps and power structures of Europe.

Gutenberg's Printing Press

One of the most amazing inventions of this decade was the printing press. Around 1450, Johannes Gutenberg in Europe created the first printing press with movable type. Before this, books were copied by hand, which was very slow and expensive. Gutenberg's invention meant that books could be made much faster and cheaper. This helped spread knowledge and ideas to many more people than ever before.

The Gutenberg Bible

The first major book printed using Gutenberg's new movable type was the Gutenberg Bible. This was a huge project, showing how powerful the new printing press was. It meant that religious texts, and soon many other books, could be shared widely. This invention truly changed the world and how information was passed down.

The Siege of Belgrade

In 1456, the city of Belgrade faced a major attack. The Ottoman Empire, after taking Constantinople, tried to expand further into Europe. They laid siege to Belgrade, which was an important city in the Kingdom of Hungary. However, the defenders of Belgrade managed to fight them off. This was a very important victory that stopped the Ottoman advance into Central Europe for a while.

Start of the Wars of the Roses

In England, a series of civil wars began in 1455. These wars are known as the Wars of the Roses. They were fought between two powerful families, the House of Lancaster and the House of York, who were both trying to claim the throne of England. These wars lasted for many years and caused a lot of trouble and changes in English politics.

Famous People Born in the 1450s

This decade also saw the birth of some people who would become incredibly famous and change the world in different ways.

• Isabella of Castile: Born in 1451, she became a powerful Queen of Castile (part of modern-day Spain). She was very important in uniting Spain and supported Christopher Columbus's voyages.
• Christopher Columbus: This famous Italian sailor and explorer was born around 1451. He is known for his voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, which led to European exploration of the Americas.
• Leonardo da Vinci: Born in 1452, Leonardo was an amazing Italian inventor, artist, scientist, and more! He is famous for paintings like the Mona Lisa and for his many inventions and ideas.
• Ferdinand II of Aragon: Born in 1452, he became King of Aragon and married Isabella of Castile. Together, they were known as the "Catholic Monarchs" and played a huge role in Spanish history.
• Girolamo Savonarola: Born in 1452, he was an Italian religious reformer. He was a very influential preacher in Florence.

Images for kids

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  A robot, representing the future and technology.