What is 1540s?
The '''1540s''' was a decade that started on 1 January 1540 and ended on 31 December 1549. It is distinct from the decade known as the '''''155th decade''''' which began on January 1, 1541. and ended on December 31, 1550.{{decadebox|154}} == Events == * [[Hernando de Soto]] is the first European to see the [[Mississippi River]]. * [[Ivan IV]] of Muscovy becomes the first [[Tsar]] of [[Russia]]. * [[Edward VI]] succeeds his father [[Henry VIII]] as King of England. * Wars between [[Protestants]] and [[Catholics]] in [[Europe]]. * [[Japan]] opens up to Europeans. == Births == * [[El Greco]], Greek-born artist * [[Mary, Queen of Scots]] * [[Miguel de Cervantes]], Spanish writer == Deaths == * [[Martin Luther]], reformer * [[Hernando de Soto]], Spanish explorer * [[Henry VIII]], King of England * [[Hernán Cortés]], Spanish explorer * [[Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin]], Mexican Catholic saint [[Category:1540s| ]]