Declaration of War
Jan 17 King Henry IV of France declares war on Spain
Theater Premiere
Jan 29 William Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet" is thought to have been first performed. Officially published early 1597.
Historic Expedition
Apr 2 Cornelis de Houtman's ships depart Holland for Asia via the Cape of Good Hope on the 1st Dutch Expedition to the East Indies (Indonesia)
- May 24 Nomenclator of Leiden University Library appears, the first printed catalog of an institutional library
Kepler's Epiphany
Jul 19 Astronomer Johannes Kepler has an epiphany and develops his theory of the geometrical basis of the universe while teaching in Graz
- Jul 21 Spanish explorer Álvaro de Mendaña is the first European to discover the Marquesas Island in Eastern Polynesia
- Aug 23 Michael the Brave confronts the Ottoman army in the Battle of Calugareni.
- Sep 17 Pope Clemens VIII recognizes Henry IV as King of France
- Oct 9 The Spanish army captures Cambrai
- Oct 28 Battle at Giurgevo: Zsigmond Bathory of Transylvania beats Turks
Event of Interest
Nov 22 English fleet led by Francis Drake and John Hawkins unsuccessfully attack San Juan, Puerto Rico during the Anglo-Spanish War [1]
Gregory I
Gregory XIII
Julius II
Julius III
Leo X
Pius V