Ivan IV. known as Ivan the Terrible is crowned "Tsar and Grand Prince of all Russia" on January 16, 1547, at the age of 16, marking the beginning of a new era for Russia, with a more centralized and powerful ruler at its head.
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What Happened in January?
Tragic deaths, ravaged cities, and great acts of heroism. Discover what happened this month in history and the defining moments that shaped the world. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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King Henry VIII of England dies on January 28, 1547 and is succeeded by his nine-year-old son Edward VI who was crowned on February 20, 1547.
c. 1548, January 26
The University of Reims (Université de Reims) was founded in France by a bull of Pope Paul III, c.January 26, 1548 and authorized by King Henry II; formally opening in 1550 and becoming a major educational institution. It was shut down in 1793 during the French Revolution. The current University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne was established in 1967.
The German cities of Würzburg and Bamberg surrender to the forces of Albert Alcibiades, Margrave of Brandenburg-Kulmbach.
The City of São Paulo is founded in Brazil. The city’s name derives from its having been founded by Jesuit missionaries on the anniversary of the conversion of St. Paul.
The Shaanxi earthquake, believed to be the deadliest earthquake ever recorded, strikes China's Shaanxi and neighboring Shanxi province on January 23, 1556, killing or injuring and estimated 830,000 people. Although the quake lasted only seconds, it leveled mountains, altered the path of rivers, ignited fires that burned for days and caused massive flooding.
Calais, the last English possession on mainland France, falls to the French on January 7, 1558, ending English territorial claims in France.
Elizabeth I is crowned Queen of England in Westminster Abbey on January 15, 1559. Elizabeth was the daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn and succeeded to the throne on the death of her half-sister Mary I in1558.
Elizabeth's 45-year reign is generally considered one of the most glorious in English history. During it, a secure Church of England was established. Its doctrines were laid down in the 39 Articles of 1563, a compromise between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. More
The Battle of Talikota in India is fought on January 23, 1565, near the town of Talikota in present-day Karnataka. The battle resulted in the defeat of the Vijayanagara Empire by a coalition of Deccan Sultanates.
The Battle of Rio de Janeiro (also known as the Battle of Guanabara Bay)takes place on January 20, 1567. It was a small but significant skirmish in which a Portuguese force under Governor-General Mem de Sá attacked and destroyed the French settlement of Henriville.
The French, though greater in number, were forced to flee, allowing the Portuguese to reassert control over Guanabara Bay. The battle ended the French colonization attempt (France Antarctique) and solidified Portuguese rule.
Tsar Ivan IV, known as Ivan the Terrible suppresses a rebellion in Novgorod, Russia, executing thousands. The massacre lasted from January 2 to Feb 12, 1570
The Royal Exchange in London is officially opened by Queen Elizabeth on January 23. 1571. It was designed by Sir Thomas Gresham as a center for commerce and trading stocks.
English astronomer Thomas Digges publishes a work promoting the Copernican system of astronomy.
The Battle of Gembloux on January 31, 1578 during the Eighty Years' War between the Spanish forces led by Don Juan de Austria), the Governor-General of the Spanish Netherlands, and a rebel army under Antoine de Goignies, War results in the Spanish forces victory over he rebel forces.
The Union of Arras is signed on January 6, 1579, reconciling the Catholic southern provinces of the Netherlands with King Philip II of Spain.
Sir Francis Drake's forces captured the Spanish city of Santo Domingo (present day Dominican Republic) on January 1, 1586, and occupied it for about a month during England's war with Spain. The raid was part of a larger expedition to the Spanish New World, commanded by Drake under orders from Queen Elizabeth I.
Elizabeth I of England signs the death warrant for Mary, Queen of Scots, who is executed three days later.
King Naresuan of Siam, kills the Crown Prince of Burma Mingyi Swa, in a legendary elephant-back duel at the Battle of Nong Sarai, marking a turning point in Burmese-Siamese conflicts and leading to Siamese independence. January 18th, is celebrated as Royal Thai Armed Forces Day.
Thailand was formerly known as Siam and officially changed its name in 1939. It briefly reverted to Siam in 1945 before Thailand in 1949. The name Thailand" means "Land of the Free, a proud reference to never being colonized.
Scotland adopts January 1 as the start of the new year while continuing to use the Julian calendar. The Gregorian calendar had been introduced in 1582, but Scotland did not adopt until much later, in 1752, when it was joined with England. More
of The Treaty of Lyons is signed between on , January 17, 1601 between Henry IV of France, and Charles Emmanuel I. Duke of. Savoy, agreeing to end hostilities after Spain's intervened as an ally of Savoy. It was considered a diplomatic victory for France, strengthening its position and restricting Spanish-Habsburg influence in that region of Europe.