26 Martyrs of Japan Executed
Feb 5 A group of early Japanese Christians, known as the 26 Martyrs, are killed by the new government of Japan for being seen as a threat to Japanese society
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- Feb 24 Flemish painter Frederick of Valckenborch becomes porter of Frankfurt-on-Main
Event of Interest
Apr 23 William Shakespeare's "The Merry Wives of Windsor" is first performed, with Queen Elizabeth I of England in attendance

William Shakespeare

Elizabeth I
- Jun 14 At 4:30 AM Willem Barents leaves Novaya Zemlya for Netherlands
- Jun 24 Cornelis de Houtman's Dutch fleet reaches Bantam, West Java
- Aug 11 Germany throws out English sales people
- Aug 14 Cornelis de Houtmans fleet is 1st Dutch visit to Java
- Aug 20 1st Dutch East India Company ships return from the Far East
- Sep 16 French troops chase away Albrecht of Austria
- Oct 9 Eighty Years War: Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange with English support captures Breevoort, Netherlands from the Spanish