James V, King of Scotland, is born in this year. His daughter will become Mary Queen of Scots and his grandson will become James I, King of England.

Poland and Russia go to war over the territory of White Russia, modern day Belarus.

Amerigo Vespucci, the navigator for whom America is named, dies in Seville, Spain.

At the Fifth Lateran Council, the Roman Catholic Church establishes the doctrine of the immortality of the soul.

In Wittenberg, Germany, Martin Luther is made professor of biblical studies.