1490s

The 1490s was a decade that started on 1 January 1490 and ended on 31 December 1409.

It is distinct from the decade known as the 150th decade which began on January 1, 1491 and ended on December 31, 1500.

Events

• Christopher Columbus finds the American continent while looking for India. This leads to much exploring of the New World.
• Moors driven out of Spain.

Births

• Philipp Melanchthon, German humanist and reformer
• King Ferdinand II of Aragon (1479–1516)
• Queen Isabella of Castile (1474–1504)
• King Henry VII of England (1485–1509)
• King Charles VIII of France (1483–1498)
• King Louis XII of France (1498–1515)
• Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor (1440–1493)
• Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor (1493–1519)
• King James IV of Scotland (1488–1513)
• Duke Ivan III of Russia
• King John I of Denmark

Deaths

• Lorenzo de' Medici, Italian ruler
• Tupac Inca Yupanqui, Inca ruler of Tahuantinsuyu