- Jan 20 The Mexican city of León is founded by order of viceroy Don Martín Enríquez de Almansa
- Feb 5 Henry of Navarre (later Henry IV of France) abjures Catholicism at Tours
- Apr 27 Peace of Beaulieu and Paix de Monsieur
- May 14 Dutch Council of State replaced by Council of Beroerten
Event of Interest
May 23 King Frederick of Denmark offers island of Hveen to astronomer and nobleman Tycho Brahe to build an Observatory
- May 29 Spanish army under Cristóbal de Mondragón conquers Zierik sea
- Jul 2 Muitende Spanish soldiers conquer Zierik Sea
- Jul 11 Martin Frobisher sights Greenland
- Jul 26 Muitende Spanish troops conquer Aalst
- Aug 8 Cornerstone laid for Tycho Brahe's observatory in Uraniborg, Denmark, will become the world's then most advanced research institution
Event of Interest
Oct 12 Rudolf II succeeds Maximilian II as Holy Roman Emperor
