Browse Historical Events by Month: What Happened in October?

Christopher Columbus arrives back in Spain, concluding his first voyage to the New World.

The Treaty of Tordesillas is signed between Spain and Portugal, dividing the newly discovered lands outside Europe.

King Charles VIII of France invades Italy, initiating the Italian Wars.

Italian explorer John Cabot lands in North America, possibly in Newfoundland.

Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama reaches India, opening the sea route to the East.

Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I dies in captivity, leading to the Ottoman Interregnum and subsequent rise of Selim I.

Michelangelo begins work on his famous statue "David" in Florence, Italy.

Christopher Columbus sets sail on his fourth and final voyage to the Americas.

Pope Julius II lays the foundation stone for the new St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

Michelangelo's artwork on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City is unveiled to the public.

Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, sparking the Protestant Reformation.

The Aztec Empire's ruler, Moctezuma II, is taken captive by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés.

The English Parliament passes the Act of Supremacy, making King Henry VIII the head of the Church of England.

Jacques Cartier's second voyage to Canada concludes, with the establishment of a settlement at Quebec.

The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) is formally approved by Pope Paul III.

Explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo becomes the first European to set foot on the West Coast of the United States.

Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible captures Kazan, an important victory in the Russo-Kazan Wars.

Coronation of Queen Mary I of England and Ireland takes place at Westminster Abbey, London, This was the first coronation of a queen regnant in England, a female ruler in her own right. More

The Edict of Saint-Germain is signed, granting limited religious freedom to French Protestants (Huguenots).

The Battle of Lepanto takes place, with the Holy League defeating the Ottoman Empire's navy in a significant naval battle.