What Happened in December 1653

Historical Events

  • Dec 1 An athlete from Croydon is reported to have run 20 miles from St Albans to London in less than 90 minutes
  • Dec 12 English "Barebones" Parliament ends

Cromwell Made Lord Protector

Dec 16 Parliamentarian General Oliver Cromwell appointed as Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland

Vermeer Joins Painters Guild

Dec 29 Dutch painter Jan Vermeer becomes a member of the Guild of Saint Luke for painters in Delft


Famous Birthdays

  • Dec 24 Georg Motz, German composer, born in Augsburg, Holy Roman Empire (d. 1733)