1) The Renaissance began in Italy in the 15th century and saw a rebirth of classical ideas of ancient Greece and Rome in areas like art, politics, science, and education.
2) Two of the most famous Italian Renaissance artists were Leonardo da Vinci, who was a painter, inventor, and scientist, and Michelangelo, known for realistic sculptures and paintings including the Sistine Chapel.
3) The Protestant Reformation began as a protest against corruption in the Catholic Church and led to new Christian denominations like Lutheranism and Anglicanism. Martin Luther and Henry VIII helped establish these new branches of Christianity.