Events in History in 1501

Jerónimos Monastery

Jan 6 Construction begins on Portugal's Jerónimos Monastery, designed by architect Diogo de Boitaca to commemorate the return of Vasco da Gama from India [1]

Martin Luther Enters University

Jan 14 Martin Luther enters the University of Erfurt, aged 17

Voyage of Discovery

Jan 16 Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral and 6 ships begin their return voyage to Lisbon

  • Jan 17 Cesare Borgia returns in triumph to Rome from Romagna
  • May 20 Portuguese explorer João da Nova Castell discovers the Ascension Islands
  • Jul 15 Portuguese explorer Pedro Cabral arrives back in Lisbon after successfully discovering Brazil and returning from India

Event of Interest

Jul 27 Nicolaus Copernicus formally installed as a canon of Frauenberg Cathedral

The Statue of David

Aug 16 Michelangelo awarded the contract to create his statue of David at Florence Cathedral by the Overseers of the Office of Works (the Operai) of the Duomo

Florence Cathedral

Aug 16 Michelangelo awarded the contract to create his statue of David at Florence Cathedral by the Overseers of the Office of Works (the Operai) of the Duomo

Appointment of Interest

Sep 3 Nicolás de Ovando y Cáceres appointed Governor of the Indies by Spanish Queen Isabella I

Event of Interest

Sep 13 Michelangelo begins work on his statue of David, a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture

Treaty of Interest

Oct 13 Maximilian of Austria & Louis XII of France sign Treaty of Trente

  • Nov 4 Philip de Blank & Juana "la Loca" depart to Spain