Timeline Thursday 13 February 1502

Events on Thursday 13 February 1502 1

• 1502 Largest colonization fleet yet sails for Hispaniola Nicolas de Ovando takes over as governor of the Indies Nicolas de Ovando departed Spain in February 1502 leading a fleet of roughly thirty ships carrying about 2,500 settlers, the largest expedition sent to the Americas to that point. He landed at Santo Domingo in April and took over as governor of Hispaniola, replacing Francisco de Bobadilla. His administration expanded the encomienda system of forced native labor across the island.