Explore 175 historical events from 1580–1589.
The adoption of the Gregorian Calendar has taken place in the history of most cultures and societies around the world, marking a change from one of various traditional dating syste…
Adoption of the Gregorian calendar begins, eventually leading to near-universal adoption.
Marco da Gagliano was an Italian composer of the early Baroque era. He was important in the early history of opera and the development of the solo and concerted madrigal.
Marco da Gagliano, Italian composer (died 1643)
John Frederick of Württemberg was the Duke of Württemberg from 4 February 1608 until his death on 18 July 1628 whilst en route to Heidenheim.
John Frederick, Duke of Württemberg (died 1628)
William Fiennes, 1st Viscount Saye and Sele was an English nobleman and politician. He was a leading critic of Charles I's rule during the 1620s and 1630s. He was known also for hi…
William Fiennes, 1st Viscount Saye and Sele, English politician (died 1662)
Humilis of Bisignano was a Franciscan friar who was widely known in his day as a mystic and wonderworker. He has been declared a saint by the Catholic Church.
Humilis of Bisignano, Italian Franciscan friar and saint (died 1637)
The Taichang Emperor, personal name Zhu Changluo, was the 15th emperor of the Ming dynasty of China. He was the eldest son of the Wanli Emperor and succeeded his father as emperor …
Taichang, emperor of China (died 1620)
John Matthew Rispoli was a Maltese philosopher of great erudition. He was held in high esteem by the Grand Masters of the Knights Hospitaller Order, the Bishops of Malta, the Vicer…
John Matthew Rispoli, Maltese philosopher (died 1639)
Johannes Gerhard was a Lutheran church leader and Lutheran Scholastic theologian during the period of Orthodoxy.
Johann Gerhard, German theologian and academic (died 1637)
Dmitry Ivanovich was the youngest son of Russian tsar Ivan the Terrible. He was the tsarevich for close to seven years of his half-brother Feodor I's reign. After his death, he was…
Dmitry of Uglich, Russian crown prince and saint (died 1591)
Charlotte of Bourbon was a princess consort of Orange as the third wife of William the Silent, Prince of Orange, the main leader of the Dutch revolt against the Spanish. She was th…
Charlotte of Bourbon, Princess consort of Orange, married to William I of Orange (born 1547)
Oda Nobunaga was a Japanese samurai and daimyō and one of the leading figures of the Sengoku and Azuchi-Momoyama periods. He was the Tenka-bito and regarded as the first "Great U…
Oda Nobunaga, Japanese warlord (born 1534)
Shimizu Muneharu , also known as Shimizu Chōzaemon , was a military commander during the Sengoku period. He served the Mōri clan as a retainer to Kobayakawa Takakage and took part …
Shimizu Muneharu, Japanese commander (born 1537)
Akechi Mitsuhide , first called Jūbei from his clan and later Koretō Hyūga no Kami (惟任日向守) from his title, was a Japanese samurai general of the Sengoku period. Mitsuhide was origi…
Akechi Mitsuhide, Japanese samurai and warlord (born 1528)
George Buchanan was a Scottish historian and humanist scholar. According to historian Keith Brown, Buchanan was "the most profound intellectual sixteenth-century Scotland produced.…
George Buchanan, Scottish historian and scholar (born 1506)
Teresa of Ávila, religious name Teresa of Jesus, was a Carmelite nun, prominent Spanish mystic and spiritual reformer.
Teresa of Ávila, Spanish nun and saint (born 1515)
The Act of Abjuration is the declaration of independence by many of the provinces of the Netherlands from their allegiance to Philip II of Spain, during the Dutch Revolt.
Plakkaat van Verlatinghe (Act of Abjuration): The northern Low Countries declare their independence from the Spanish…
Vincent de Paul, CM was a French Catholic priest who dedicated himself to serving the poor and is best known for founding the Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Chari…
Vincent de Paul, French priest and saint (died 1660)
Peter Claver was a Spanish Jesuit priest and missionary born in Verdú, Catalonia, Spain, who, due to his life and work, became the patron saint of slaves, Colombia, and ministry to…
San Pedro Claver, Spanish Jesuit saint (died 1654)
Brian Twyne was an English antiquary and an academic at the University of Oxford. After being educated at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and becoming a Fellow of the college in 16…
Brian Twyne, English archivist (died 1644)
Claude Gaspar Bachet Sieur de Méziriac was a French mathematician and poet born in Bourg-en-Bresse, at that time belonging to Duchy of Savoy. He wrote Problèmes plaisans et délecta…
Claude Gaspard Bachet de Méziriac, French mathematician, poet, and scholar (died 1638)
Domenico Zampieri, known by the diminutive Domenichino after his shortness, was an Italian Baroque painter of the Bolognese School of painters.
Domenichino, Italian painter (died 1641)
James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton was a Scottish nobleman. He played a leading role in the murders of Queen Mary's confidant, David Rizzio, and king consort Henry Darnley. He was t…
James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton, Scottish soldier and politician, Lord Chancellor of Scotland (born 1525)
Peder Skram was a Danish naval officer.
Peder Skram, Danish admiral and politician (born 1503)
Richard Cox was an English clergyman, who was Dean of Westminster and Bishop of Ely.
Richard Cox, English bishop (born 1500)