1531
| Years: 1528 1529 1530 - 1531 - 1532 1533 1534 | |
| Decades: 1500s 1510s 1520s - 1530s - 1540s 1550s 1560s | |
| Centuries: 15th century - 16th century - 17th century | |
- January 26 - Lisbon, Portugal is hit by an earthquake-- thousands die
- October 1 - Battle of Kappel - The forces of Zürich are defeated by the Catholic cantons. Huldreich Zwingli, the Swiss religious reformer, is killed.
- Our Lady of Guadeloupe: The Virgin Mary appears to Aztec convert Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin.
- Andrea Alciato publishes the first part of his Emblemata.
- The Comet Halley appears.
- Conquistador Francisco de Montejo claims Chichen Itza as capital of Spanish ruled Yucatán.
- James Stewart, Earl of Moray, illegitimate son of King James V of Scotland and later regent of Scotland
- October 1 - Huldreich Zwingli, Reformer
- Andrea Del Sarto, Florentine painter
- Vallabhacarya, Hindu spiritual leader
- Louise of Savoy, mother of Francis I of France