- Jan 2 Spanish force in Ireland surrender to the English army at Kinsdale
- Mar 20 United Dutch East Indian Company (VOC) forms
- May 15 Cape Cod discovered by English navigator Bartholomew Gosnold
- May 21 Martha's Vineyard 1st sighted (Captain Bartholomew Gosnold)
- Sep 20 Spanish held city of Grave surrenders to Maurice of Orange during Eighty Years' War
- Nov 8 The Bodleian Library at Oxford University is opened
- Dec 5 Giulio Caccini's "Euridice" premieres in Florence
- Dec 11 Surprise attack by forces of the Duke of Savoy and his brother-in-law, Philip III of Spain repelled by citizens of Geneva. Commemorated since as Fête de l'Escalade.