On This Day

The printing of the Gutenberg Bible is completed

The Gutenberg Bible, also known as the 42-line Bible, the Mazarin Bible or the B42, was the earliest major book printed in Europe using mass-produced metal movable type.

The Gutenberg Bible, also known as the 42-line Bible, the Mazarin Bible or the B42, was the earliest major book printed in Europe using mass-produced metal movable type. It marked the start of the "Gutenberg Revolution" and the age of printed books in the West. The book is valued and revered for its high aesthetic and artistic qualities and its historical significance. The Gutenberg Bible is an edition of the Latin Vulgate printed in the 1450s by Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz (Holy Roman Empire), in present-day Germany. Out of either 158 or 180 copies that were originally printed, 49 survive in at least substantial portion, 21 of them in entirety; of these, the copy with the earliest visible print date is marked as 15 August 1456.

Historical Significance

The Gutenberg Bible, also known as the 42-line Bible, the Mazarin Bible or the B42, was the earliest major book printed in Europe using mass-produced metal movable type.

Events Before

  1. Duke of Burgundy Charles the Bold weds second wife Isabella of Bourbon

    Duke of Burgundy Charles the Bold weds second wife Isabella of Bourbon

  2. In the Thirteen Years' War, the Secret Council of the Prussian Confederation sends a formal act of disobedience to the G

    In the Thirteen Years' War, the Secret Council of the Prussian Confederation sends a formal act of disobedience to the Grand Master

  3. Johannes Gutenberg prints his first Bible [estimated date] [1]

    The Gutenberg Bible, also known as the 42-line Bible, the Mazarin Bible or the B42, was the earliest major book printed in Europe using mass-produced metal movable type.

  4. First record of Johannes Gutenberg's Bible, a letter dated this day by Enea Silvio Piccolomini refers to the Bible print

    First record of Johannes Gutenberg's Bible, a letter dated this day by Enea Silvio Piccolomini refers to the Bible printed a year earlier

  5. John II is born

    John II is born

Events After

  1. BC Battle of Megiddo: Egyptian forces of Thutmose III defeat a large Canaanite coalition under the King of Kadesh. First

    BC Battle of Megiddo: Egyptian forces of Thutmose III defeat a large Canaanite coalition under the King of Kadesh. First battle recorded with a reliable account.

  2. The Unitas Fratrum is established in the village of Kunvald, on the Bohemian-Moravian borderland. It is to date the seco

    The Unitas Fratrum is established in the village of Kunvald, on the Bohemian-Moravian borderland. It is to date the second oldest Protestant denomination.

  3. "Mainz Psalter," the earliest dated book and the first to be printed in three colors, is completed

    "Mainz Psalter," the earliest dated book and the first to be printed in three colors, is completed

  4. Henry VII is born

    Henry VII is born

  5. Matthias I Corvinus chosen King of Hungary

    Matthias Corvinus (Hungarian: Hunyadi Mátyás; Romanian: Matia Matijaš Korvin; Slovak: Matej Korvín; Czech: Matyáš Korvín; 23 February 1443 – 6 April 1490) was King of Hungary and Croatia from 1458 to...

More from the 1450s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 24, 1456?
The Gutenberg Bible, also known as the 42-line Bible, the Mazarin Bible or the B42, was the earliest major book printed in Europe using mass-produced metal movable type. It marked the start of the "Gutenberg Revolution" and the age of printed books in the West. The book is valued and revered for its high aesthetic and artistic qualities and its historical significance.
Why is The printing of the Gutenberg Bible is completed significant?
The Gutenberg Bible, also known as the 42-line Bible, the Mazarin Bible or the B42, was the earliest major book printed in Europe using mass-produced metal movable type.

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