May 29

Fall of Constantinople — End of the Byzantine Empire

Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II's forces breached the walls of Constantinople after a 53-day siege, using massive cannon to destroy walls that had stood for a thousand years. Emperor Constantine XI died fighting on the walls; the city was sacked for three days.

The fall of Constantinople ended the Eastern Roman Empire and the medieval world, drove Greek scholars to Italy accelerating the Renaissance, and gave the Ottomans control of trade routes that pushed European powers to seek sea routes to Asia.