1494. Columbus discovered the island of Jamaica.
1519. Leonardo da Vinci, a celebrated Italian painter, died. He distinguished himself in early youth by the variety of studies which he accomplished. He afterwards became the head of the Florentine school of painting.
1520. Sebastian Brandt died; counsellor of Strassburg, a lawyer, and author of a curious poem.
1550. Joan Bocher, of Kent, England, burnt for heresy.
1568. Mary, queen of Scots, aided by the gallant George Douglass, escaped from the castle of Lochleven, where she was confined after the murder of Darnley.
1595. Anthony, titular king of Portugal, died at Paris, a fugitive from the victorious arms of the Spaniards.
1606. Fernand de Quiros discovered the New Hebrides islands.
1611. The Half Moon, in which Hudson made his memorable voyage of discovery, sailed in company with another vessel to the East Indies, under captain Laurens Redel, and was lost. (March 6.)
1635. Horace Vere, an English general, died. He was created baron Tilbury by Charles I for meritorious services.
1667. George Withers, an English pastoral poet, died. He was so zealous a partisan of democracy, and of Cromwell, that the authorities frequently placed him in a straight jacket. His poems were numerous and quaint.