January 26, 1531 – Lisbon, Portugal is hit by an earthquake--thousands die.

February 11, 1531 – Henry VIII of England is recognized as supreme head of the Church of England.

October 11, 1531 – Huldrych Zwingli is killed in battle with the Roman Catholic cantons of Switzerland.

October 28, 1531 – Battle of Amba Sel: Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi again defeats the army of Lebna Dengel, Emperor of Ethiopia. The southern part of Ethiopia falls under Imam Ahmad’s control.

November 23, 1531 – The Second war of Kappel results in the dissolution of the Protestant alliance in Switzerland.

December 9, 1531 – The Virgin of Guadalupe first appears to Juan Diego at Tepeyac, Mexico City.