William Shakespeare, the most celebrated playwright and poet in the English language, is born in Stratford-upon-Avon.
The Dutch provinces revolt against Spanish rule; the war ends with Spain recognising the independence of the Dutch Republic.
The Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania unite into a single federal state with a shared monarch and parliament.
The fleet of the Holy League, formed by Spain, Venice and the Papacy, defeats the Ottoman navy in the Gulf of Patras.
Thousands of Huguenot Protestants are killed in Paris and other French cities during the French Wars of Religion.
Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) is crowned in Moscow with the title of Tsar, marking the beginning of the Tsardom of Russia.
The Gregorian calendar takes effect in Catholic countries: Julian 4 October 1582 is followed by 15 October.