Historical Events In 1542
May 21 Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto dies while searching for gold along the Mississippi River
Jan 21 Parliament passes bill of attainder against Queen Katherine Howard
Feb 13 Catherine Howard, the fifth wife of England's King Henry VIII, is beheaded for adultery.
Sep 28 Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo discovers California, at San Diego Bay
Dec 08 The birth of Mary Queen Of Scots, Scottish Queen who ascended to the throne aged seven
