1497
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Events
The Spanish captured Melilla
John Cabot sailed from Bristol to Canada and declared the "new found land" to belong to the King of England.
Vasco da Gama started his journey to India
A new collection of laws (Sudebnik) was published in Moscow
In Spain, the doubloon was introduced, which became the most important currency for international trade.
Denmark's Hannu ruled Sweden as Juhana II, Sten Sture the elder received as compensation his fiefdom of Finland.
The old hatred ended
Born
16 February – Philipp Melanchthon, humanist
Francesco Canova da Milano, composer
Dead
January 2 – Beatrice d'Este, Duchess of Milan
February 6 – Johannes Ockeghem, composer
July 17 – Benedetto Ghirlandaio, Italian painter
