The Battle of Lepanto takes place, with the Holy League defeating the Ottoman Empire's navy in a significant naval battle.
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What Happened in October?
Explorations, great battles, and crowned leaders. Discover meaningful events and milestones from October throughout history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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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.
The Battle of Kircholm occurs between the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Sweden.
Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei demonstrates his newly built telescope to Venetian lawmakers.
Dutch sea captain Dirk Hartog makes the second recorded landfall by a European on Australian soil.
Sir Walter Raleigh is executed outside the Palace of Westminster. He was one of the most famous explorers of Elizabeth I's reign and a favorite of the Queen's. Raleigh was also a scholar and a poet, but he is usually remembered for introducing the essential potato, and the addictive tobacco. More
The Portuguese defeat the Dutch at the Battle of São Jorge da Mina (Elmina) on October 25, 1625, a decisive victory where the Dutch were defeated by Portuguese forces and their African allies. Twelve years later, in 1637, the Dutch eventually succeeded in capturing the fort, taking control of the Portuguese Gold Coast.
The War of the Mantuan Succession begins, a conflict between France and the Habsburg Monarchy over control of the Duchy of Mantua.
The Treaty of Hartford ends the Pequot War between the Pequot tribe and English settlers in New England.
The Bishop's War between England and Scotland resulting from King Charles I's attempts to impose religious reforms on Scotland came to an end with the Treaty of Ripon setting the stage for the Civil Wars. More
The Irish Rebellion of 1641 begins, marking a significant conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland.
The Battle of Edgehill between the Royalist army under King Charles I and the Parliamentarian army led by the Earl of Essex takes place, marking the first major conflict of the English Civil War. The battle was fought near Edge Hill in southern Warwickshire, and neither side gained a decisive advantage, leading to a four-year war.