The 15th century refers to the hundred-year period from 1401 to 1500. When historians talk about centuries, they count forward from the year 1, so the first century covered years 1 to 100, the second century covered 101 to 200, and so on. This means the 15th century is actually the 1400s, which can seem confusing at first.

Why does this matter? The 15th century was a pivotal time in world history. In Europe, Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press around 1440, making books more affordable and spreading knowledge faster than ever before. Christopher Columbus reached the Americas in 1492, connecting civilizations that had never met. The Renaissance was flourishing in Italy, producing masterpieces of art and architecture. In Asia, the Ming Dynasty ruled China, building the Forbidden City and sending massive treasure fleets across the Indian Ocean.

Understanding centuries helps you place events in time and see how they connect. When you read that something happened in the 15th century, you know it occurred during the 1400s, in that remarkable period between the Middle Ages and the modern world. Each century has its own character and story, and the 15th was one of tremendous change and discovery.