The fall of Constantinople in 1453 marks a significant event in history, signifying the end of the Byzantine Empire and the rise of the Ottoman Empire. Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, was besieged by the Ottoman Turks led by Sultan Mehmed II. The city's defenses were overwhelmed after a prolonged siege, leading to its capture on May 29, 1453. This event not only shifted the balance of power in the region but also had profound implications for trade, religion, and culture, as the Ottomans transformed Constantinople into their capital, renaming it Istanbul.