Just to avoid confusion, I'll re-explain the assignment. In you journals you are going to pick one person from each of the years listed. Not a place or a thing or an animal, but a solitary soul who changed the course of human history. That means practically anyone. We all have our hand in the world as it is. We can make it better (or worse) with our actions. You are to recognize the contributions of 15 "characters" in history by writing a paragraph on each. Here's an example for 1500, Jane Gray:

Jane Gray was named heiress to the English throne in her great-uncle Henry VIII's will, but only if his son Edward and daughters Mary and Elizabeth died without issue. Edward ruled for just six years and his ambitious advisor, John Dudley, was determined to remain in power. To that end, he persuaded Edward to write his own will and leave the throne to Jane Grey, usurping the reign of Mary and Elizabeth. Though just fifteen at the time, she was known for her Protestant piety; it was this religious devotion which persuaded Edward to alter the succession. Deeply pious himself, he could simply not leave the throne to his Catholic sister, Mary. Jane was quickly wed to Dudley's son and crowned queen of England in July 1553. But she ruled for just nine days. Mary, Henry VIII's 1st born daughter, claimed the throne with great popular support, and imprisoned Jane in the Tower of London. Her subsequent execution was a political necessity for Mary Tudor. Despite her youth, Jane met her end with great dignity and courage.

Pronounced guilty of treason, Jane went to her death by orchestrating the entirety of her execution. She began by reciting aloud Psalm 51. After the prayer, she rose to her feet and completed her final duties (there were many who still considered her queen, remember). She handed her gloves and handkerchief and her paryer book to her attendant. She then began to untie her gown; as was the tradition, the executioner stepped forward. It was the custom that the victim's outer garments became the executioner's property. Perhaps Jane did not know this; or perhaps she was simply terrified as that masked figure came toward her. She stepped back and 'desired him to leave her alone.' Her attendants completed the unlacing. They then gave her a handkerchief to tie over her eyes. Again, the executioner knelt before her, this time to beg her forgiveness. This, too, was a custom and one Jane had expected. She gave her forgiveness 'most willingly.'

Now there was nothing to do but end it all. Perhaps she saw the actual block for the first time. Her composure faltered for just a brief moment. She whispered, 'I pray you despatch me quickly,' and began to kneel. She hesitated and asked, 'Will you take it off before I lay me down?', referring to the blindfold. The executioner replied, 'No, madame' and so she tied the handkerchief around her eyes. She then knelt but, blindfolded, could not find the block. Her arms flailed about for several moments and she cried out, 'What shall I do? Where is it?' Those standing on the scaffold were hesitant - should they help her? A member of the crowd climbed the scaffold and helped her. He guided her hands to the block. She lowered her head and stretched forth her body; her last words, 'Lord into thy hands I commend my spirit.' The executioner swung his axe and severed her head. Blood splattered across the scaffold and many of the witnesses. The executioner then lifted her head and said, 'So perish all the Queen's enemies. Behold, the head of a traitor.' It was the end of Lady Jane Grey.

Poor Lady Day, Queen one moment, a traitor the next. My biography for the 1500s is longer than yours need be, but I thought it interesting. No?