The event that marked the start of the Renaissance in Europe is often attributed to the rediscovery of classical texts and the revival of art and literature, particularly in Italy during the late 14th century. While there is no single event that can definitively signal the beginning, the publication of Petrarch's poems in the early 1300s and the flourishing of art by figures like Giotto and Masaccio laid the groundwork for Renaissance culture. This period represented a significant shift towards humanism, individualism, and scientific inquiry, ultimately transforming European society and thought for centuries to come.