• Michelangelo Buonarroti begins sculpting his most famous work, David.
• Florentine navigator Amerigo Vespucci embarks on a voyage to explore South America.

These people were born in 1501:

• Pope Marcellus II.
• Spanish conquistador Pedro de Mendoza.

These people died in 1501:

• Portuguese explorer Gaspar Corte-Real.

1500 - 1501 - 1502

16th century

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