Historical Events in 1595

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)

  • Apr 9 Spanish Mendaña and Queirós Expedition departs Callao, Peru, led by Alvaro de Mendan accompanied by 378 men, women and children in four ships to colonise the Solomon Islands (find Marquesas instead) [1]

Dutch History

May 2 King Philip II names Albert Archduke of Austria and his nephew Governor of the Hapsburg Netherlands

  • 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]