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Spanish fleet sails from Lisbon to Ireland

The Spanish Armada (often known as Invincible Armada, or the Enterprise of England, Spanish: Grande y Felicísima Armada, lit. 'Great and Most Fortunate Navy') was a Spanish fleet that sailed from...

The Spanish Armada (often known as Invincible Armada, or the Enterprise of England, Spanish: Grande y Felicísima Armada, lit. 'Great and Most Fortunate Navy') was a Spanish fleet that sailed from Lisbon in late May 1588, commanded by Alonso de Guzmán, Duke of Medina Sidonia, an aristocrat appointed by Philip II of Spain. His orders were to sail up the English Channel, join with the army of Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma in Flanders, and escort an invasion force that would land in England and overthrow Elizabeth I. Its purpose was to reinstate Catholicism in England, end English support for the Dutch Republic in the north and prevent attacks by English and Dutch privateers against Spanish interests in the Americas.

The Spanish were opposed by an English fleet based in Plymouth.

Historical Significance

The Spanish Armada (often known as Invincible Armada, or the Enterprise of England, Spanish: Grande y Felicísima Armada, lit.

Events Before

  1. William Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet" is thought to have been first performed; officially published early 1597

    William Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet" is thought to have been first performed; officially published early 1597

  2. William I of Orange's daughter Elisabeth of Nassau (17) weds Duke Henri de la Tour d'Auvergne of Bouillion (39), becomin

    William I of Orange's daughter Elisabeth of Nassau (17) weds Duke Henri de la Tour d'Auvergne of Bouillion (39), becoming Duchess of Bouillon, until his death in 1623

  3. Nomenclator of Leiden University Library appears, the first printed catalog of an institutional library

    Leiden University Libraries is the set of libraries of Leiden University, founded in 1575 in Leiden, Netherlands.

  4. Astronomer Johannes Kepler has an epiphany and develops his theory of the geometrical basis of the universe while teachi

    Astronomer Johannes Kepler has an epiphany and develops his theory of the geometrical basis of the universe while teaching in Graz, Austria

  5. Spanish Mendaña and Queirós Expedition departs Callao, Peru, led by Alvaro de Mendan accompanied by 378 men, women and

    Spanish Mendaña and Queirós Expedition departs Callao, Peru, led by Alvaro de Mendan accompanied by 378 men, women and children in four ships to colonise the Solomon Islands (find Marquesas instead) [1]

Events After

  1. A group of early Japanese Christians, known as the 26 Martyrs, are killed by the new government of Japan for being seen

    A group of early Japanese Christians, known as the 26 Martyrs, are killed by the new government of Japan for being seen as a threat to Japanese society

  2. William Shakespeare's "The Merry Wives of Windsor" is first performed with Queen Elizabeth I of England in attendance

    William Shakespeare's "The Merry Wives of Windsor" is first performed with Queen Elizabeth I of England in attendance

  3. Astronomer Johannes Kepler marries widow Barbara Müller

    Astronomer Johannes Kepler marries widow Barbara Müller

  4. French nobleman and future Governor of Arcadia Pierre Dugua de Monts marries Judith Chesnel

    French nobleman and future Governor of Arcadia Pierre Dugua de Monts marries Judith Chesnel

  5. First Dutch East India Company ships return from the Far East

    The United East India Companyoːˈseː]), commonly known as the Dutch East India Company, was a chartered trading company and one of the first joint-stock companies in the world.

More from the 1590s

Korean naval commander Admiral Yi Sun-sin begins his famous war diary "Nanjung ilgi" (included in UNESCO's Memory of the

Korean naval commander Admiral Yi Sun-sin begins his famous war diary "Nanjung ilgi" (included in UNESCO's Memory of the World 2013) [1]

Jacob van Neck's fleet leaves Bantam, Java in modern-day Indonesia with 1 million pounds of pepper and cloves and a furt

Jacob van Neck's fleet leaves Bantam, Java in modern-day Indonesia with 1 million pounds of pepper and cloves and a further half a ship full of nutmeg, mace and cinnamon

King Naresuan of Siam kills Crown Prince Minchit Sra of Burma in single combat, date is now observed as Royal Thai Armed

King Naresuan of Siam kills Crown Prince Minchit Sra of Burma in single combat, date is now observed as Royal Thai Armed Forces Day

William Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet" is thought to have been first performed; officially published early 1597

William Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet" is thought to have been first performed; officially published early 1597

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on October 25, 1596?
The Spanish Armada (often known as Invincible Armada, or the Enterprise of England, Spanish: Grande y Felicísima Armada, lit. 'Great and Most Fortunate Navy') was a Spanish fleet that sailed from Lisbon in late May 1588, commanded by Alonso de Guzmán, Duke of Medina Sidonia, an aristocrat appointed by Philip II of Spain. His orders were to sail up the English Channel, join with the army of Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma in Flanders, and escort an invasion force that would land in England and overthrow Elizabeth I.
Why is Spanish fleet sails from Lisbon to Ireland significant?
The Spanish Armada (often known as Invincible Armada, or the Enterprise of England, Spanish: Grande y Felicísima Armada, lit.

Explore More

October 25 in HistoryYear 1596