- Jan 5 Francesco Cavalli's opera "Giasone" premieres in Venice (the most popular opera of the 17th century)
Event of Interest
Feb 5 Prince of Wales proclaimed King Charles II of Great Britain by Covenanter Parliament of Scotland
Charles II
- Mar 11 The Frondeurs (French rebels) and the French government sign the Peace of Rueil.
- Apr 21 Maryland Toleration Act passed in the American colony, allowing freedom of worship for Christians but sentencing to death anyone who rejected the divinity of Jesus
- May 19 England is declared a Commonwealth by an act of the Rump Parliament making England a republic for the next 11 years
- Jun 1 Russian Tsar Alexis throws English merchants out of Moscow
- Sep 2 The Italian city of Castro is completely destroyed by the forces of Pope Innocent X, ending the Wars of Castro.
Event of Interest
Sep 11 Massacre of Drogheda, Ireland - Oliver Cromwell kills 3,000 royalists
Oliver Cromwell
- Sep 30 Last Swedish troops vacate Prague
Event of Interest
Oct 31 John Wallis, newly appointed Savilian Professorof Geometry at Oxford University, gives his Inaugural lecture
John Wallis