| January 1 | 1st day of the Gregorian calendar in Holland and Flanders |
| January 12 | Holland begins use of Gregorian calendar (yesterday was 1/1/1583) |
| February 21 | Groningen Netherlands begins using Gregorian calendar |
| March 18 | Dutch States General and Anjou sign treaty |
| April 12 | William of Orange marries Louise de Coligny |
| June 17 | Brabant: duke of Parma beats French mercenaries |
| June 18 | Richard Martin of London takes out 1st life insurance policy, on William Gibbons, premium was 383 pounds |
| June 28 | Duke French van Valois returns to France |
| July 17 | Spanish and Walloon troops conquer Dunkerk |
| August 5 | Gilbert claims Newfoundland (1st English colony in North America) |
| November 15 | Gelders Earl Willem of the Bergh flees |
| November 20 | Duke of Parma conquerors Aalst |
