1517
Luther's Ninety-Five Theses
An obscure German friar nailed, or perhaps mailed, ninety-five Latin propositions to the church door at Wittenberg, attacking the sale of indulgences.
Ottomans Conquer Cairo
Selim I's troops stormed Cairo after a brutal street battle, hanged the last Mamluk sultan Tuman Bay from the Zuweila Gate, and absorbed Egypt…
Hernandez de Cordoba Sights Yucatan
A Spanish slaving expedition, blown off course from Cuba, stumbled onto a coastline of stone pyramids and brightly painted cities.
Portuguese Arrive in China
A Portuguese trading fleet under Fernao Pires de Andrade reached Canton and spent months negotiating with Ming officials for permission to trade.
Sweating Sickness Strikes England
A mysterious disease swept London in summer, killing healthy men within hours of the first shivering fit.
Coffee Reaches Istanbul
Traders from Yemen brought the first bags of coffee beans to Istanbul…
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Frequently asked
What happened in the year 1517?
Saeculum lists 6 events from 1517. The most significant is Luther's Ninety-Five Theses: An obscure German friar nailed, or perhaps mailed, ninety-five Latin propositions to the church door at Wittenberg, attacking the sale of indulgences.
What era was 1517 part of?
1517 falls within the Renaissance (1501-1650). Reformation, conquest, and the world drawn whole.
Which regions saw notable events in 1517?
The events from 1517 span Europe, Middle East, North America and East Asia.