What Happened in October?

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

Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese navigator sponsored by Spain discovers and enters the Straight that now bears its name, sailing through the dangerous passage which separate the South American mainland from the Tierra del Fuego archipelago,  and becoming the first European explorer to reach the Pacific Ocean from the Atlantic by sailing through the dangerous straits. More

The French troops under King Francis I capture the city of Milan from the Holy Roman Empire.They entered the city after the Holy Roman Empire's troops, led by Charles de Lannoy, evacuated it due to the French army's advance and the presence of the plague. This capture was part of the Italian War of 1521–1526, where Francis I sought to reclaim French territory in Italy. 

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

Jane Seymour, the third wife of King Henry VIII, dies at Hampton Court Palace,12 days after giving birth to Edward Tudor, VI, her only son and only surviving legitimate son of Henry VIII; who would become King Edward VI. The cause of her death was likely an infection or pulmonary embolism.

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

The city of La Paz is founded in Bolivia by the Spanish Captain Alonso de Mendoza. The full name of the city was originally Nuestra Señora de La Paz. The city was later moved to its present location in the valley of Chuquiago Marka.

Russian Tsar Ivan IV, known as 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.

The Gregorian calendar, decreed by Pope Gregory XIII, becomes effective in all the Catholic countries of Europe with the day after Thursday October 4, 1582 becoming Friday, 15 October 1582. The Spanish and Portuguese colonies followed somewhat later because of delay in communication. The Gregorian calendar is now widely used around the world. With the exception of Ethiopia, Nepal, Iran and Afghanistan, the Gregorian calendar is now the world's universal civil calendar, old style calendars remaining in use in religious or traditional contexts. More

Toyotomi Hideyoshi's forces emerge victorious in the Battle of Myeongnyang against the Japanese invasions of Korea.

The Second Battle of Myeongnyang takes place on October 26, 1597 during the Japanese second invasion of Korea (Imjin War) against the Japanese navy in the Myeongnyang Strait. Korean admiral Yi Sun-sin achieved a significant victory as he led a severely outnumbered fleet of 13 ships against the Japanese navy with at least 133 warships destroying most of the Japanese ships.

The Treaty of Vervins is signed, ending the war between Spain and France.

1599, October - The Battle of Sellenberk takes place, marking a significant conflict during the Long War between the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburg Monarchy.

The Battle of Sekigahara takes place in Japan, leading to Tokugawa Ieyasu's rise to power and the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Tycho Brahe, Danish astronomer, dies under mysterious circumstances.

Dutch navigator and merchant Willem Janszoon becomes the first recorded European to set foot on Australian soil.

Supernova Kepler's Star becomes visible, leading to Johannes Kepler's study of its movement.