The year 1520 was significant in European history, marked by events such as the rise of the Renaissance and the beginning of the Reformation. It was during this time that Martin Luther published his 95 Theses, challenging the practices of the Catholic Church and sparking widespread religious debate. In the Americas, 1520 saw the fall of the Aztec Empire as Hernán Cortés and his forces captured Tenochtitlan. This event marked a crucial point in the Spanish colonization of the New World, leading to significant cultural and political changes in the region.