| March 4 | George Abbot appointed archbishop of Canterbury |
| April 14 | Word "telescope" is 1st used (Prince Federico Cesi) |
| May 23 | Matthias von Habsburg chosen king of Bohemia |
| June 13 | John Fabricius dedicates earliest sunspot publication |
| June 22 | Henry Hudson and son set adrift in Hudson Bay by mutineers |
| June 23 | Henry Hudson set adrift in Hudson Bay by mutineers on his ship Discovery and never seen again |
| August 11 | Emperor Rudolf forces out king of Bohemia |
| October 30 | Gustaaf II Adolf (17) becomes king of Sweden |
| November 1 | Shakespeare's romantic comedy "Tempest" 1st presented |
