On This Day

Historical Events in 1539

  • Feb 1 Emperor Karel & King Francois I sign anti-English treaty
  • Feb 15 Emperor Charles receives Cardinal Pole in Toledo
  • Feb 19 Jews of Tyrnau Hungary (then Trnava Czech), expelled
  • Apr 19 Charles, protestant German monarch, signs Treaty of Frankrfurt
  • Apr 27 Re-founding of the city of Bogotá, New Granada (nowadays Colombia), by Nikolaus Federmann and Sebastián de Belalcázar.

Historic DiscoveryHernando 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
Learn More >>

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

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Jun 3 Hernando de Soto claims Florida for Spain

Spanish Explorer and Conquistador Hernando de Soto
Spanish Explorer and Conquistador
Hernando de Soto
  • Jun 10 Council of Trent: Paul III sends out letters to his bishops, delaying the Council due to war and the difficulty bishops had traveling to Venice.
  • Dec 29 St Jacob's Church burns after being hit by lightning

Search the world's largest, most accurate site for today in history.