Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada y Rivera, also spelled as Ximénez and De Quezada, was a Spanish explorer and conquistador in northern South America, territories currently known as Colombia. He explored the territory named by him, New Kingdom of Granada, and founded its capital, Santafé de Bogotá. As a well-educated lawyer he was one of the intellectuals of the Spanish conquest. He was an effective organizer and leader, designed the first legislation for the government of the area, and was its historian. He was governor of Cartagena between 1556 and 1557, and after 1569 he undertook explorations toward the east, searching for the elusive El Dorado. The campaign didn't succeed and Jiménez then returned to New Granada in 1573. He has been suggested as a possible model for Cervantes' Don Quixote.
Bogotá, Colombia, is founded by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada
Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada y Rivera, also spelled as Ximénez and De Quezada, was a Spanish explorer and conquistador in northern South America, territories currently known as Colombia.
Historical Significance
Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada y Rivera, also spelled as Ximénez and De Quezada, was a Spanish explorer and conquistador in northern South America, territories currently known as Colombia.
Events Before
First printing in England of the complete English-language Bible, the "Matthew's Bible," with translations by William Ty
First printing in England of the complete English-language Bible, the "Matthew's Bible," with translations by William Tyndale and Miles Coverdale (an update of the earlier "Coverdale Bible") [exact month/day unclear] [1]
Pope Paul III routes Cardinal Pole to England
Pope Paul III routes Cardinal Pole to England
French troops invade Flanders
French troops invade Flanders
Strategic city of Santa Cruz de Mompox founded on the Magdalena River (modern Colombia) by Spanish conquistadors
Strategic city of Santa Cruz de Mompox founded on the Magdalena River (modern Colombia) by Spanish conquistadors
Resistance of Bomy: French-Dutch ceasefire
Resistance of Bomy: French-Dutch ceasefire
Events After
Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto's expedition of 10 ships and 700 men lands in Florida
Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto's expedition of 10 ships and 700 men lands in Florida
English King Henry VIII marries Anne of Cleves, his 4th wife
Anne of Cleves (German: Anna von Kleve; 28 June or 22 September 1515 – 16 July 1557) was Queen of England from 6 January to 12 July 1540 as the fourth wife of Henry VIII.
Emperor Charles receives Cardinal Pole in Toledo
Emperor Charles receives Cardinal Pole in Toledo
Jews of Tyrnau, Hungary (Trnava, Czechia) are expelled
Jews of Tyrnau, Hungary (Trnava, Czechia) are expelled
Charles, protestant German monarch, signs Treaty of Frankrfurt
Charles, protestant German monarch, signs Treaty of Frankrfurt
More from the 1530s
King Henry VIII declares himself head of the Church of England
Henry VIII (28 June 1491 – 28 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547.
England's King Henry VIII marries Anne Boleyn, his 2nd wife
Anne Boleyn (1501 or 1507 – 19 May 1536) was Queen of England from 1533 to 1536, as the second wife of King Henry VIII.
Lisbon hit by Earthquake; about 30,000 die
The 1755 Lisbon earthquake, also known as the Great Lisbon earthquake, hit the Iberian Peninsula and Northwest Africa on the morning of Saturday, 1 November, Feast of All Saints, at around 09:40…
English King Henry VIII's divorce request is denied by Pope Clement VII
English King Henry VIII's divorce request is denied by Pope Clement VII
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on August 6, 1538?
- Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada y Rivera, also spelled as Ximénez and De Quezada, was a Spanish explorer and conquistador in northern South America, territories currently known as Colombia. He explored the territory named by him, New Kingdom of Granada, and founded its capital, Santafé de Bogotá. As a well-educated lawyer he was one of the intellectuals of the Spanish conquest.
- Why is Bogotá, Colombia, is founded by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada significant?
- Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada y Rivera, also spelled as Ximénez and De Quezada, was a Spanish explorer and conquistador in northern South America, territories currently known as Colombia.