A Year In History: 1540

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This Year in History:

1540

Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

September 27

Jesuit order established

In Rome, the Society of Jesus—a Roman Catholic missionary organization—receives its charter from Pope Paul III. The Jesuit order played an important role in the Counter-Reformation and eventually succeeded in converting millions around the world to Catholicism. The Jesuit movement was founded by Ignatius de Loyola, a Spanish soldier turned priest, in August 1534. The […]