Historical Events Jan 16 English parliament passes laws against Catholicism Event of Interest Jan 28 James VI signs 2nd Confession of Faith in Scotland King of Great BritainJames I and VI Famous Birthdays Jan 4 James Ussher, Archbishop of Armagh (claimed world began 4004 BC). Famous Deaths Jan 22 Joost de Damhoudere, Flemish lawyer (Praxis rerum criminalium), dies at 73 Jan 22 Seerp Galama, Dutch nobleman, soldier and politician, dies at 52 1580 History by Year 1582 What Happened in 1581 Ivan the Terrible Kills His Son November 16, 1581