On This Day

Events in History in 1661

  • Jan 6 The Fifth Monarchists unsuccessfully attempt to seize control of London

BattleExecution

Jan 30 Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England is ritually executed after having been dead for two years

English Military and Political Leader Oliver Cromwell
English Military and Political Leader
Oliver Cromwell

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Mar 10 French King Louis XIV ends office of premier

The Sun King of France Louis XIV
The Sun King of France
Louis XIV

CrownRoyal Coronation

Apr 23 English king Charles II crowned in London

King of England Charles II
King of England
Charles II
  • Apr 29 Chinese Ming dynasty occupies Taiwan
  • Apr 30 Tsjeng Tsj'eng-Kung begins siege of Dutch fort Zeelandia, Formosa
  • May 3 Johannes Hevelius observes 3rd transit of Mercury ever to be seen

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Jun 5 Isaac Newton admitted as a student to Trinity College, Cambridge

Physicist & Mathematician Isaac Newton
Physicist & Mathematician
Isaac Newton
  • Jun 21 Treaty of Kardis: Russia & Sweden sign peace treaty
  • Jun 23 Marriage contract for Charles II of England and Catharina of Portugal
  • Jul 3 Portugal gives Tangier and Bombay to English King Charles II

Historic Publication1st European Banknote

Jul 16 1st banknotes in Europe are issued by Bank of Stockholm

Learn More
The first European banknote, issued by Stockholms Banco of Sweden
The first European banknote, issued by Stockholms Banco of Sweden
Learn More
  • Jul 27 English Parliament confirms Navigation Act
  • Aug 6 The Treaty of The Hague is signed whereby the Dutch Republic sells New Holland (Brazil) for 63 tonnes of gold to Portugal

Why The King Became a Party PooperWhy The King Became a Party Pooper

Aug 17 French Superintendent of Finances Nicolas Fouquet throws one of the grandest and opulent parties ever seen in France, appalling King Louis XIV and leading to Fouquet's arrest for embezzlement weeks later

Read Article
Nicolas Fouquet, looking unsure of himself, alongside the splendid château that he had built for his own use – much to his King’s displeasure
Nicolas Fouquet, looking unsure of himself, alongside the splendid château that he had built for his own use – much to his King’s displeasure
Read Article
  • Sep 5 Nicolas Fouquet, French Superintendent of Finances under Louis XIV is arrested for maladministration of state funds; he died in 1680, never seeing freedom again.

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Nov 12 Robert Hooke appointed Curator of Experiments to the Royal Society, England

Scientist Robert Hooke
Scientist
Robert Hooke
  • Dec 20 Corporation Act enforced in England

Search the largest, most accurate site for today in history.