On This Day

What Happened in May 1539

Historical Events

Hernando de Soto's Expedition lands in Florida

May 30 Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto's expedition of 10 ships and 700 men lands in Florida

Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto lands on the coast of Florida, somewhere between present-day Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor

Famous Deaths

  • May 1 Isabella of Portugal, Queen consort of Spain, Queen of the Romans, and Lady of the Netherlands (1526-39), and Holy Roman Empress and Queen of Italy (1530-39), dies at 35
  • May 7 Ottaviano Petrucci, Italian printer, dies at 73


What Happened in 1539

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