Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira

Álvaro de Mendaña y Neira was a Spanish navigator, explorer, and cartographer, best known for two of the earliest recorded expeditions across the Pacific Ocean in 1567 and 1595. His voyages led to the discovery of the Marquesas, Cook Islands, and Solomons among other archipelagos. Born in Congosto, in El Bierzo Region (León), he was the nephew of Lope García de Castro, viceroy of Peru.

1 October 1542

Born on the same birth day (1 October): Bonnie Owens • Bonnie and Clyde • Buzz Capra • Chris Green (cricketer) • Christel Takigawa • Esai Morales • Harry Hill • Louis Untermeyer • Paul Walsh • Sergey Aksakov • Theresa May • Viljar Loor • William Beckford (novelist)

Born in the same month (October 1542): Akbar • Henriette of Cleves • Philip IV, Count of Nassau-Weilburg • Robert Bellarmine