1542
Portuguese Arrive in Japan
A storm-blown Chinese junk carrying three Portuguese adventurers drifted onto the Japanese island of Tanegashima.
New Laws of the Indies
Charles V promulgated the New Laws, outlawing the enslavement of indigenous Americans and promising to wind down the encomienda system after its holders'…
Cabrillo Explores California
The Portuguese-born Spanish captain Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed up the Pacific coast from New Spain and became the first European to enter the bay of San…
Roman Inquisition Established
Pope Paul III created the Holy Office, a central Roman tribunal to hunt heresy across Catholic Europe.
Catherine Howard Executed
Henry VIII's teenage fifth queen, Catherine Howard, was beheaded on Tower Green for alleged infidelities before her marriage.
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Frequently asked
What happened in the year 1542?
Saeculum lists 5 events from 1542. The most significant is Portuguese Arrive in Japan: A storm-blown Chinese junk carrying three Portuguese adventurers drifted onto the Japanese island of Tanegashima.
What era was 1542 part of?
1542 falls within the Renaissance (1501-1650). Reformation, conquest, and the world drawn whole.
Which regions saw notable events in 1542?
The events from 1542 span East Asia, Europe and North America.