Years: 1653 1654 1655 - 1656 - 1657 1658 1659

Decades: 1620s 1630s 1640s - 1650s - 1660s 1670s 1680s

Centuries: 16th century - 17th century - 18th century 1656 in literature 1656 in science

Events

• Masuria is devastated during the Deluge when it was raided by Tartars and Poles
• End of the war started in 1648 between Poland, Ducal Prussia, Russia and Transylvania.
• The only year the British coin Fifty Shillings was minted.

Births

• October 29 (Julian calendar) - Edmond Halley, English scientist
• Patrick Abercromby, Scottish physician and antiquarian

Deaths

• March 21 - James Ussher, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland between 1625-1656
• October 2 - Myles Standish, Mayflower colonist
• November 6 - King John IV of Portugal
• Jan van Goyen, painter
• Stephen Bachiler, English clergyman