What Happened in January?

Geneva expels Catholic residents, following the escalation of religious tensions.

The Treaty of Nonsuch is signed between England and the Dutch rebels, formalizing their alliance against Spain.

Sir Francis Drake's forces captured the Spanish city of Santo Domingo 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 in single combat, leading to Siamese independence.

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

Queen Elizabeth I of England dies, and James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England, uniting the crowns.

Tsar Boris Godunov of Russia grants trading privileges to the English Muscovy Company.

Miguel de Cervantes’s masterpiece Don Quixote ("The Ingenious Nobleman Don Quixote of La Mancha") is published. The second portion of the book was published in 1615. His boook is considered the first modern novel and a foundational work of Western literature. More

A document detailing the Gunpowder Plot is anonymously delivered to English authorities, leading to the plot's exposure.

San Agustin Church in Manila, the oldest stone church in the Philippines, is completed.

The publication of Galileo Galilei's "Sidereus Nuncius" announces the discovery of Jupiter's moons.

Galileo Galilei discovers Callisto, the fourth moon of Jupiter.

French explorer Samuel de Champlain discovers Lake Champlain in North America.

William Shakespeare's "First Folio" is published, compiling his plays.

The first submarine is tested in London's River Thames by its inventor, Cornelius Drebbel.

The Dutch buy Manhattan Island from Native Americans for trinkets and tools, founding New Amsterdam.

The Petition of Right is accepted by England's King Charles I, limiting his power.

The Treaty of Bärwalde is signed between Sweden and France whereby France provided Sweden with substantial financial support to maintain an army for intervention in the Thirty Years' War. This treaty aimed to prevent Habsburg dominance and advance French policy. 

The first recorded sighting of Maryland is made by English settlers.