On This Day
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French troops under Duc de Guise occupy Calais

Calais is a French major port city in the Pas-de-Calais department, of which it is a subprefecture. Calais is the largest city in Pas-de-Calais.

Calais is a French major port city in the Pas-de-Calais department, of which it is a subprefecture. Calais is the largest city in Pas-de-Calais. The population of the city proper is 67,544; that of the urban area is 144,625 (2020). Calais overlooks the Strait of Dover, the narrowest point in the English Channel, which is only 34 km (21 mi) wide here, and is the closest French town to England. The White Cliffs of Dover can easily be seen from Calais on a clear day. Calais is a major port for ferries between France and England, The Channel Tunnel has connected Calais and Folkestone since 1994.

Because of its position, Calais has been a major port and an important centre for transport and trading with England since the Middle Ages.

Historical Significance

Calais is a French major port city in the Pas-de-Calais department, of which it is a subprefecture.

Events Before

  1. Osep Gregoriwich Napea, the 1st Russian ambassador to England, arrives in London

    Osep Gregoriwich Napea, the 1st Russian ambassador to England, arrives in London

  2. Cuenca is founded in Ecuador

    Cuenca, officially Santa Ana de los Ríos de Cuenca, is an Ecuadorian city, head of the canton of the same name and capital of the province of Azuay, as well as its largest and most populated city.

  3. England declares war on France

    England declares war on France

  4. Dutch States General meet at Valenciennes

    Dutch States General meet at Valenciennes

  5. Battle of St Quentin in Picardy: Lamoraal, Count of Egmont and Philibert, Duke of Savoy (Spanish Empire) beat the Duke o

    Battle of St Quentin in Picardy: Lamoraal, Count of Egmont and Philibert, Duke of Savoy (Spanish Empire) beat the Duke of Montmorency (France)

Events After

  1. Elizabeth I is crowned Queen of England at Westminster Abbey in London

    Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an Anglican church in the City of Westminster, London, England.

  2. Storm floods ravage Gorinchem, Dordrecht & Woudrichem, Netherlands

    Storm floods ravage Gorinchem, Dordrecht & Woudrichem, Netherlands

  3. England and France sign the first Treaty of Le Cateau-Cambrésis

    England and France sign the first Treaty of Le Cateau-Cambrésis

  4. Spain & France sign 2nd Treaty of Le Cateau-Cambrésis

    Spain & France sign 2nd Treaty of Le Cateau-Cambrésis

  5. Scottish Protestants under John Knox uprise against queen mother Mary

    Scottish Protestants under John Knox uprise against queen mother Mary

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Elizabeth I is crowned Queen of England at Westminster Abbey in London

Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an Anglican church in the City of Westminster, London, England.

Shaanxi Earthquake, the deadliest ever recorded, kills 830,000 in Shaanxi Province, China

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City of São Paulo founded in Brazil

São Paulo is the capital city of the state of São Paulo, as well as the most populous city in Brazil, South America, the Americas, and in the Western and Southern Hemispheres.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on January 8, 1558?
Calais is a French major port city in the Pas-de-Calais department, of which it is a subprefecture. Calais is the largest city in Pas-de-Calais. The population of the city proper is 67,544; that of the urban area is 144,625 (2020).
Why is French troops under Duc de Guise occupy Calais significant?
Calais is a French major port city in the Pas-de-Calais department, of which it is a subprefecture.

Explore More

January 8 in HistoryYear 1558