January 31 Wisselbank of Amsterdam established March 12 Bermuda becomes an English colony March 25 Henry Hudson embarks on an exploration for Dutch East India Co. April 9 Spain and Netherlands sign 12 Year Resistant Pact June 17 Netherlands, England and France sign 12 year Covenant July 6 Majesteitsbrief: Emperor Rudolf II grants Bohemia freedom of religion July 9 Emperor Rudolf II grants Bohemian protestants freedom of religion July 10 Catholic German monarchy forms Catholic League July 20 Emperor Rudolf II grants Silezische protestants freedom of religion July 28 Admiral George Somers settles in Bermuda August 8 Venetian senate examines Galileo Galilei's telescope August 25 Galileo demonstrates his 1st telescope to Venetian lawmakers August 28 Henry Hudson, discovers and explores Delaware Bay September 1 Pieter Both sworn in as 1st Governor-General of East Indies October 12 Children's rhyme "Three Blind Mice," published in London
