Famous Birthdays Dec 23 Martin Opitz, German poet "Father of Modern German Poetry", born in Bunzlau, Silesia (d. 1639) Famous Deaths Dec 18 Barbara Blomberg, German mistress of Emperor Charles V, mother of John of Austria, dies at 67 Dec 21 Saint Peter Canisius, Dutch Jesuit Catholic priest, dies at 76 1596 History by Year 1598 What Happened in 1597 26 Martyrs of Japan Executed February 5, 1597
