The 1590s was a decade that started on 1 January 1590 and ended on 31 December 1599.

It is distinct from the decade known as the 160th decade which began on January 1, 1591 and ended on December 31, 1600.

1590

• March 14 – Battle of Ivry – Henry IV of France again defeats the forces of the Catholic League under the Duc de Mayenne.
• May–August – Unsuccessful siege of Paris by Henry IV of France. Henry is forced to raise the siege when the Duke of Parma comes to its relief with a Spanish army.
• May 17 – Anne of Denmark is crowned queen of Scotland.
• August 18 – John White, the governor of the Colony of Roanoke, returns from a supply-trip to England and finds his settlement deserted.
• September 15 – Pope Urban VII succeeds Sixtus V.
• December 5 – Pope Gregory XIV succeeds Urban VII.
• Coptic Pope Gabriel VIII succeeds Yoannis XIV.
• Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria Meletius I succeeds Silvester.
• Japan is united by Toyotomi Hideyoshi
• Seven-Year War – Japan invades Korea in 1592 and 1597.
• Journey to the West first appears in China.