Events in year of 1577
- 02-06King Henri de Bourbon of Navarra becomes leader of Huguenots
- 02-12Spanish land guardian Don Juan of Habsburg signs "Eternal Edict"
- 07-24Spanish army / German mercenaries conquer Namur
- 07-24Treason of Don Juan in Brussels
- 08-17Peace of Bergerac: Political rights for Huguenots
- 10-25Pope Gregory XIII asks renewal of ecclesiastical hymns
- 11-15Sir Francis Drake aboard Pelican travels from Chile to Washington
- 11-23Water Geuzen under Captain Slope enter Amsterdam
- 12-13Sir Francis Drake sets sail from England to go around world
People born in year of 1577
- 02-08Robert Burton: Writer, Anglican clergyman (Anatomy of Melancholy)
- 03-26Elisabeth of Nassau: Daughter of Willem I and Charlotte of Bourbon
- 05-01Francois van Kinschot: Dutch treasurer
- 05-28Floris II van Pallandt: Dutch Earl of Culemborg / politician
- 06-02Giovanni Righi: Composer
- 06-21Giovanni Del Turco: Composer
- 06-28Peter Paul Rubens: Siegen -- Flemish Baroque painter (Circumcision)
- 09-06Pietro Tacca: Italian sculptor / architect (Aanbidding of the Point)
- 10-07Ferdinand [of Bayern]: Prince-Bishop of Liege / Archbishop
- 10-17Cristofano Allori: Italian painter (Judith)
- 11-10Jacob Cats [Father Cats]: Dutch grand pensionary / poet (Houwelyck)
People died in year of 1577
- 02-26Erik XIV Wasa: King of Sweden (1560-69), dies at 43
- 05-08Viglius ab Aytta Zuichemus: Lawyer / President (Raad van State)
Events in year of 1578
- 01-31Battle of Gembloers
- 04-01William Harvey of England discovers blood circulation
- 06-11England grants Sir Humphrey Gilbert a patent to explore and colonize US
- 08-02Battle of Rijmenam
- 08-04Battle of Alcazarquivir, Moroccans defeat Portuguese, 10,000 killed
- 08-13Duke French van Anjou recognized as protector of the Netherlands
- 10-10Count Johan Casimir occupies Ghent with 500 horsemen
People born in year of 1578
- 01-28Cornelis Haga: Dutch lawyer / ambassador to Constantinople (1611-39)
- 03-18Adam Elsheimer: German painter / cartoonist / etcher, baptized
- 04-01William Harvey: England, United Kingdom -- Physician (discovered blood circulation)
- 04-14Philip III: King of Spain and Portugal (1598-1621)
- 05-30Valentin Dretzel: Composer
- 07-09Ferdinand II: King of Bohemia / Hungary / German Emperor (1619-37)
- 07-31Catharina Belgica of Nassau: Daughter of Willem of Orange
- 12-02Agostino Agazzari: Composer
People died in year of 1578
- 02-05Giovanni B Moroni: Italian portrait painter
- 03-31Juan de Escobedo: Secretary of Spanish land guardian Don Juan, murdered
- 07-04Charles de Berlaymont: Baron of Hierges, gov / Viceroy of Names
- 08-042 Moroccan royalist, Die in battle
- 08-04Sebastiaan: King of Portugal (1557-78), dies in battle at about 24
- 08-11Pedro Nunes [Nonius]: Port Mathematician / astronomer (nonius)
- 11-08Johann Walter: Composer, dies at 51
Events in year of 1579
- 01-06Artois / Hainault / Dowaai sign pro-Spanish Union of Arras
- 01-07England signs an offensive and defensive alliance with Netherland
- 01-23Union of Utrecht signed, forming protestant Dutch Republic
- 01-25Treaty of Utrecht signed, marks beginning of Dutch Republic
- 03-05Betuwe joins Union of Utrecht
- 03-06Veluwe joins Union of Utrecht
- 03-23Friesland joins Union of Utrecht
- 04-11Venlo joins Union of Utrecht
- 05-07Congress of Cologne forms in the Netherlands
- 05-17Artois / Henegouwen / French-Flanders sign Treaty / Peace of Parma recognizing Spanish Duke van Parma as land guardian
- 06-17Anti-English uprising in Ireland
- 06-17Francis Drake entered SF Bay
- 06-17Sir Francis Drake lands on coast of California
- 07-21Mechelen surrenders to Duke of Parma
- 07-26Francis Drake leaves SF to cross Pacific Ocean
- 07-28Cardinal Granvelle returns to Madrid
- 07-29Antwerp request union with of Utrecht
- 07-29King Philip II arrests plotters Antonio Perez and Princess van Eboli
- 08-17Francois van Anjou visits English Queen Elizabeth I
- 09-13Breda forms Union of Utrecht
- 10-07English royal marriage of Queen Elizabeth I to Duke of Anjou
People born in year of 1579
- 01-04Willem Teellinck: Dutch theologist / vicar
- 02-09John Meursius [van Meurs]: Dutch historian
- 04-12Francois de Bassompierre: Marshal of France
- 07-25Valerius Otto: Composer
- 08-18Charlotte Flandrina van Nassau: Daughter of Willem I of Orange
- 08-24John Amner: Composer
- 11-11Frans Snyders: Flemish animal painter
- 11-22Jan Baptist Stalpart van der Wiele: Dutch lawyer / pastor / lyricist
- 12-12Heinrich Steuccius: Composer
- 12-20John Fletcher: Elizabethan dramatist (Phylaster)
People died in year of 1579
- 10-24Albrecht V von Wittelsbach: Duke of Bavaria, dies at 51