On This Day
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Parliamentarian General Oliver Cromwell appointed as Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland

Oliver Cromwell (25 April 1599 – 3 September 1658) was an English statesman, farmer and soldier, widely regarded as one of the most important figures in British history.

Oliver Cromwell (25 April 1599 – 3 September 1658) was an English statesman, farmer and soldier, widely regarded as one of the most important figures in British history. He came to prominence during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, initially as a senior commander in the Parliamentarian army and later as a politician. A leading advocate of the execution of Charles I in January 1649, which led to the establishment of the Commonwealth of England, Cromwell ruled as Lord Protector from December 1653 until his death.

Although elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Huntingdon in 1628, much of Cromwell's life prior to 1640 was marked by financial and personal failure.

Historical Significance

Oliver Cromwell (25 April 1599 – 3 September 1658) was an English statesman, farmer and soldier, widely regarded as one of the most important figures in British history.

Key People

Oliver Cromwell

military and political leader

English military and political leader

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Events Before

  1. Cape Colony, the first European settlement in South Africa, is established by the Dutch East India Company under Jan van

    Cape Colony, the first European settlement in South Africa, is established by the Dutch East India Company under Jan van Riebeeck

  2. Daughter of the Prince of Orange, Albertine Agnes marries William Frederick Prince of Nassau-Dietz

    Daughter of the Prince of Orange, Albertine Agnes marries William Frederick Prince of Nassau-Dietz

  3. Duke of Orleans joins Fronde rebels

    Duke of Orleans joins Fronde rebels

  4. Battle of Etampes: French army under Turenne beats Fronde rebels

    Battle of Etampes: French army under Turenne beats Fronde rebels

  5. John Johnson, a free African-Virginian, is granted 550 acres in Northampton, Virginia by his father

    John Johnson, a free African-Virginian, is granted 550 acres in Northampton, Virginia by his father

Events After

  1. Louis XIV is crowned King of France

    Louis XIV (5 September 1638 – 1 September 1715), also known as Louis the Great (Louis le Grand [lwi lə ɡʁɑ̃]) or the Sun King (le Roi Soleil [lə ʁwa sɔlɛj]), was King of France from 1643 until his...

  2. Fire after heavy storm destroys two thirds of De Rijp, Netherlands, 1 person dies

    Fire after heavy storm destroys two thirds of De Rijp, Netherlands, 1 person dies

  3. Portuguese troops conquer last Dutch base on Recife

    Dutch Brazil (Dutch: Nederlands-Brazilië; Portuguese: Brasil Holandês), also known as New Holland (Dutch: Nieuw-Holland), was a colony of the Dutch Republic in the northeastern portion of modern-day...

  4. Dutch tragedy "Lucifer" by Joost van den Vondel, and regarded as his masterpiece, premieres in Amsterdam - banned three

    Dutch tragedy "Lucifer" by Joost van den Vondel, and regarded as his masterpiece, premieres in Amsterdam - banned three days later

  5. Anglo-Swedish alliance: commercial trade agreement between England and Sweden is signed

    Anglo-Swedish alliance: commercial trade agreement between England and Sweden is signed

More from the 1650s

Oldest surviving commercial newspaper, "Weeckelycke Courante van Europa", now known as "Haarlems Dagblad", and still in

Oldest surviving commercial newspaper, "Weeckelycke Courante van Europa", now known as "Haarlems Dagblad", and still in print, begins publication in Haarlem, Netherlands

New Amsterdam becomes a city, later renamed New York City

New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States.

First known cheque written (£400), now on display at Westminster Abbey

First known cheque written (£400), now on display at Westminster Abbey

Grand Pensionary of Holland Johan de Witt marries Wendela Bicker

Wendela Bicker (Amsterdam, baptized 30 December 1635 – 1 July 1668) was the wife of Johan de Witt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on December 16, 1653?
Oliver Cromwell (25 April 1599 – 3 September 1658) was an English statesman, farmer and soldier, widely regarded as one of the most important figures in British history. He came to prominence during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, initially as a senior commander in the Parliamentarian army and later as a politician. A leading advocate of the execution of Charles I in January 1649, which led to the establishment of the Commonwealth of England, Cromwell ruled as Lord Protector from December 1653 until his death.
Why is Parliamentarian General Oliver Cromwell appointed as Lord Protector of Englan... significant?
Oliver Cromwell (25 April 1599 – 3 September 1658) was an English statesman, farmer and soldier, widely regarded as one of the most important figures in British history.
Who was involved in Parliamentarian General Oliver Cromwell appointed as Lord Protector of Englan...?
Key figures include Oliver Cromwell (military and political leader).

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December 16 in HistoryYear 1653