What happened in 1521
5 entries recorded for 1521, listed by date. That was 505 years ago.
1521 at a glance
- Years ago
- 505 (as of 2026)
- Century
- 16th century
- Decade
- 1520s
- Generation born
- Before the named generations
- Entries here
- 5
- Breakdown
- 5 historical events
January
- January 3
Pope Leo X
Pope Leo X issued the papal bull Decet Romanum Pontificem, excommunicating Martin Luther for refusing to retract 41 alleged errors found in his 95 Theses and other writings.
- January 28
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V and the estates of the Holy Roman Empire met at the Diet of Worms to discuss Martin Luther and the effects of the Protestant Reformation.
March
- March 31
Ferdinand Magellan
Ferdinand Magellan and members of his crew participated in the first Catholic Mass in the Philippines.
May
- May 17
Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham
Edward Stafford (pictured), whose father had been beheaded for rebelling against King Richard III of England, was himself executed for treason against King Henry VIII.
December
- December 27
Wittenberg
A period of unrest in Wittenberg following the arrival of three men of the Radical Reformation, known as the Zwickau prophets, was quelled after Martin Luther's release from custody.
Questions about 1521
What happened in 1521?
This site records 5 entries for 1521, including Pope Leo X on January 3. They are listed below by date.
How long ago was 1521?
505 years ago, counting from 2026. Anyone born in 1521 turns 505 this year.
Which century is 1521 in?
1521 falls in the 16th century, in the 1520s.
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