This Month in History: January’s Defining Moments • Page 7

1639 CE, January 14

The Puritan political leaders in Connecticut, representing the populations of Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield, approved and adopted on January 14, 1639 a set of written laws agreed upon by the colonists, known as the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut.

1641 CE, January 14

The Dutch East Indian Company (VOC) conquers Malacca from the Portuguese on January 14, 1641, securing Dutch control over the vital Malacca Strait and marked a significantly weakening Portuguese power in Southeast Asia and solidifying VOC dominance in the spice trade.

1643 CE, January 21

The Dutch explorer, Abel Tasman's expedition reaches and lands on Tongatapu, the main island of Tonga on January 21, 1643. He named the island "Eijlandt Amsterdam" (Amsterdam Island) The encounter and trading with the locals was described as friendly.

1645 CE, January 10

William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury is executed in London for high treason on January 10, 1645, during the English Civil War. His efforts to impose stricter Anglican practices (Laudianism) on Scotland led to the Bishops' Wars, weakening Charles I and fueling opposition. He was arrested in 1640 and held in the Tower of London until his execution.

1646, c. February 27

The Royalist stronghold of Bolesworth Castle surrenders to the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War in late February or early March 1646. By May 1646, the war effectively concluded when King Charles I surrendered to a Scottish army at Southwell, Nottinghamshire.

1649 CE, January 30

King Charles I of England is executed on January 30, 1649 by beheading, after being found guilty of treason. Thousands had perished during the seven years of fighting between Charles’ supporters and Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentarians. More

1651 CE, January 1

Charles II of England is crowned king of Scotland at Scone on January 1, 1651, during the English Civil War and his father's execution. Charles swore to uphold Presbyterianism to gain Scottish support,. He was eventually exiled and later Restored in England in 1660.

1654 CE, January 26

The Dutch surrender Recife, Brazil, to the Portuguese on January 26, 1654 after an unsuccessful attempt to regain control.The conflict was formally concluded on August 6, 1661, with the Treaty of The Hague, where the Dutch recognized Portuguese sovereignty over the territory.

1658 CE, January 30

Swedish troops under Charles X Gustav invade Denmark on January 30, 1658 during the Dano-Swedish War, forcing Denmark into the harsh Treaty of Roskilde by February 1658. The war resumed later that year with a failed siege of Copenhagen in February 1659.

1661 CE, January 20

Peter Lely is appointed as Charles II's Principal Painter in Ordinary, c. January 20, 1661 with a stipend of £200 per year. Lely goes on to paint the first portrait of a reigning monarch, King Charles II of England, More

1663 CE, January 20

England's King Charles II grants a trading charter on January 20, 1663 to the Royal African Company. The charter included a monopoly on the slave trade in West Africa. More

1667 CE, January 30

The Treaty of Andrusovo (or the Truce of Andrusovo) is signed on January 30, 1667, ending the thirteen year between Russia and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It marked a shift in power towards Russia, laying groundwork for its rise and eventually being solidified by the Eternal Peace Treaty of 1686.

1668 CE, January 23

England, the Dutch Republic, and Sweden sign the Triple Alliance against France on January 23, 1668. It was a crucial defensive pact against French King Louis XIV's expansion into the Spanish Netherlands.

1671 CE, January 28

Henry Morgan, a Welsh pirate, attacks Panama City on January 28, 1671, looting it, causing destruction. and capturing the wealthy city from the Spanish. Morgan's attack, however, was technically illegal as it occurred after a peace treaty between England and Spain which he claimed he was not aware of.

1674 CE, January 4

The Treaty of Westminster ends England's involvement in the Franco-Dutch War.

1676 CE, January 14

King Charles II disbands the English Parliament on January 24, 1679 due to constant conflicts over foreign policy, taxation and the perceived belief of his secret Catholicism and his favoritism of Catholics.

1689 CE, January 16

The English Convention Parliament declares that James II has abdicated the throne, opening the way for William of Orange to become King of England which happened six days later on January 22, 1689.