1451    Sultan Mehmed II inherits the throne of the Ottoman Empire.

1453    Mehmed II begins his siege of Constantinople (Istanbul), which falls on May 29.

1453    Fall of Constantinople: Ottoman armies under Sultan Mehmed II Fatih capture Constantinople after a 53-day siege, ending the Byzantine Empire. Although the date of May 29, 1453 is that of the Julian Calendar, the event is commemorated in Istanbul on this day of the present Gregorian calendar.

1462    Vlad III the Impaler attempts to assassinate Mehmed II (The Night Attack) forcing him to retreat from Wallachia.