The first English-language Bible, translated by William Tyndale, is printed in Antwerp.
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What Happened in March?
The first Olympic games, the founding of dynasties, and legendary battles. Explore historic milestones from March that influenced today's world. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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The Council of Trent reconvenes, addressing the Church's need for reform.
Edward VI is crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey.
The execution of Thomas Seymour for treason takes place; after he was caught scheming to gain control over his nephew, King Edward VI, and ultimately seize more power. He was the brother of Jane Seymour uncle of King Edward VI and husband of Catherine Parr, Henry VIII widow.
Thomas Cranmer, former Archbishop of Canterbury, is executed for treason under Mary I of England.
Ferdinand I succeeds his father, Charles V, as Holy Roman Emperor.
A transit of Venus occurs, observed by a small group of astronomers.
Peace of Longjumeau ends the Second War of Religion in France.
Queen Elizabeth I prohibits foreign vessels from fishing in English waters.
Spain's King Philip II revokes William the Silent's amnesty, renewing hostilities in the Dutch Revolt. and offering a large reward for his assassination. This act effectively renewed hostilities in the Dutch Revolt by making William a wanted outlaw.
The ban led to William's assassination on July 10, 1584, by a Catholic Frenchman named Balthasar Gérard, who sought the reward. Although William was killed, the assassination did not end the revolt. His sons, Maurice of Nassau and Frederick Henry, continued the fight for Dutch independence.
King John II Casimir of Poland abdicates the throne.
Ivan IV, Tsar of Russia, known as Ivan the Terrible dies on March 28, 1584 after a reign of 41 years. More
John White, governor of the Roanoke Colony, returns to England and finds the settlement deserted.
Miguel de Cervantes is released after five years as a captive in Algiers.
Giordano Bruno is burned at the stake for heresy in Rome.
The first recorded St. Patrick’s Day parade in the U.S. takes place on the Catholic Feast Day of St. Patrick, in the Spanish colony of modern-day St. Augustine, Florida. More than a century later, Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched in Boston in in 1737 and in New York City in 1762. More
Treaty of Lyons: France, Savoy, and Spain agree to end hostilities.
The Dutch East India Company is chartered by the Netherlands government, beginning its trade dominance in Asia.
Queen Elizabeth I of England dies childless on March 24, 1603 and James VI of Scotland, the son of Mary, Queen of Scots becomes James I of England, uniting the crowns of England and Scotland under one monarch for the first time.
Queen Elizabeth I of England dies; James VI of Scotland ascends to the English throne as James I.