On This Day

William II of Orange occupies Amsterdam

William III and II (William Henry; Dutch: Willem Hendrik; 4 November 1650 – 8 March 1702), also known as William of Orange, was the sovereign Prince of Orange from birth, Stadtholder of Holland,...

William III and II (William Henry; Dutch: Willem Hendrik; 4 November 1650 – 8 March 1702), also known as William of Orange, was the sovereign Prince of Orange from birth, Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel in the Dutch Republic from 1672, and King of England, Ireland, and Scotland from 1689 until his death in 1702. He ruled England, Scotland, and Ireland with his wife, Queen Mary II, and their joint reign is known as that of William and Mary.

William was the only child of William II, Prince of Orange, and Mary, Princess Royal, the daughter of King Charles I of England, Scotland, and Ireland. His father died before his birth, making William III the prince of Orange from birth.

Events Before

  1. Francesco Cavalli's opera "Giasone" premieres in Venice (the most popular opera of the 17th century)

    Giasone (Jason) is an opera in three acts and a prologue with music by Francesco Cavalli and a libretto by Giacinto Andrea Cicognini.

  2. The English Rump Parliament votes to put Charles I on trial for treason and other high crimes

    The trial of Charles I took place in January 1649, marking the first time a reigning monarch was tried and executed by his own subjects.

  3. England is declared a Commonwealth by an act of the Rump Parliament, making England a republic for the next 11 years

    Charles II (29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685) was King of Scotland from 1649 until 1651 and King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from the 1660 Restoration of the monarchy until his death in...

  4. Philip IV, King of Spain (44) marries his niece Mariana of Austria (14) in Navalcarnero, Spain

    Philip IV, King of Spain (44) marries his niece Mariana of Austria (14) in Navalcarnero, Spain

  5. Sobornoye Ulozheniye of 1649: Russia adopts new code of laws, consolidating serfdom (OS 29 Jan) [1]

    Sobornoye Ulozheniye of 1649: Russia adopts new code of laws, consolidating serfdom (OS 29 Jan) [1]

Events After

  1. French Chief Minister Cardinal Mazarin flees Paris

    French Chief Minister Cardinal Mazarin flees Paris

  2. Flemish missionary Joris van Geel departs for the Congo [1]

    Flemish missionary Joris van Geel departs for the Congo [1]

  3. South Sea dike in Amsterdam breaks after storm

    South Sea dike in Amsterdam breaks after storm

  4. Great earthquake at Cuzco, Peru

    Great earthquake at Cuzco, Peru

  5. Battle of Beresteczko between Poles and Ukrainians starts

    The Battle of Berestechko (28 June – 10 July 1651) was fought between the Cossack Hetmanate and Crimean Khanate against the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth as a part of the Khmelnytsky Uprising.

More from the 1650s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on July 30, 1650?
William III and II (William Henry; Dutch: Willem Hendrik; 4 November 1650 – 8 March 1702), also known as William of Orange, was the sovereign Prince of Orange from birth, Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel in the Dutch Republic from 1672, and King of England, Ireland, and Scotland from 1689 until his death in 1702. He ruled England, Scotland, and Ireland with his wife, Queen Mary II, and their joint reign is known as that of William and Mary. William was the only child of William II, Prince of Orange, and Mary, Princess Royal, the daughter of King Charles I of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Why is William II of Orange occupies Amsterdam historically important?
William was the only child of William II, Prince of Orange, and Mary, Princess Royal, the daughter of King Charles I of England, Scotland, and Ireland. His father died before his birth, making William III the prince of Orange from birth.

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