What Happened in January 1579

Historical Events

  • Jan 6 Northern Hasburg Netherlands counties of Artois and Hainault and city Dowaai sign pro-Spanish and pro-Roman Catholic Union of Arras (Unie van Atrecht)
  • Jan 23 Union of Utrecht signed by Northern Habsburg counties of Holland and Zeeland, and provinces of Utrecht and Groningen, marking the beginning of protestant Dutch Republic

Famous Birthdays

  • Jan 4 Willem Teellinck, Dutch pastor and theologist, born in Zierikzee (d. 1629)
  • Jan 12 Jan Baptist van Helmont, Flemish chemist (found boiling point temperature), born in Brussels (d. 1644)