The event often seen as the start of the Age of Enlightenment in Europe was the publication of Isaac Newton's "Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica" in 1687. Newton's groundbreaking work laid the foundations for classical mechanics and introduced a new scientific approach based on observation, reason, and mathematical principles, challenging traditional views of the universe. This shift towards rationalism and empirical evidence inspired subsequent thinkers and philosophers to apply similar analysis to human society, politics, and ethics. The Age of Enlightenment emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of authority, leading to significant cultural and intellectual movements that would shape modern Western thought and contribute to revolutions in America and France.