AD 476 Fall of the Roman Empire in the West ends 800 years of Roman hegemony. The creation of moderen Europe begins.

Is this event political, economic, religious, social, intellectual, artistic, or geographic and how is it important today?

Thanks,
Heather

All of the above!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_of_the_Roman_Empire
Even if all you do is scan this article, you'll see that there are many theories about the decline of the Roman Empire -- and those theories encompass all the choices listed above.

How is it important today? Ask yourself the opposite: What would the world be like had Rome remained in control of all the lands in its Empire, if there had been no decline into what we now refer to as Medieval times?

If you wish to repost with your thoughts on all this, we will be happy to comment on your thinking.

=)