<Li> Contemporary history is the span of historic events from approximately 1945 that are immediately relevant to the present time . </Li> <P> In the pre-modern era, many people's sense of self and purpose was often expressed via a faith in some form of deity, be it that in a single God or in many gods . Pre-modern cultures have not been thought of creating a sense of distinct individuality, though . Religious officials, who often held positions of power, were the spiritual intermediaries to the common person . It was only through these intermediaries that the general masses had access to the divine . Tradition was sacred to ancient cultures and was unchanging and the social order of ceremony and morals in a culture could be strictly enforced . </P> <P> The term modern was coined in the 16th century to indicate present or recent times (ultimately derived from the Latin adverb modo, meaning "just now"). The European Renaissance (about 1420--1630), which marked the transition between the Late Middle Ages and Early Modern times, started in Italy and was spurred in part by the rediscovery of classical art and literature, as well as the new perspectives gained from the Age of Discovery and the invention of the telescope and microscope, expanding the borders of thought and knowledge . </P> <P> In contrast to the pre-modern era, Western civilization made a gradual transition from pre-modernity to modernity when scientific methods were developed which led many to believe that the use of science would lead to all knowledge, thus throwing back the shroud of myth under which pre-modern peoples lived . New information about the world was discovered via empirical observation, versus the historic use of reason and innate knowledge . </P>

The modern period began as a result of what historical event