Georgeana (York) in Maine becomes the first incorporated American city
Georgeana (York) in Maine becomes the first incorporated American city
Year in History
Explore the major historical events, famous births, and notable deaths that occurred in the year 1642. This year saw 13 significant events. 1 notable figure passed away.
17th Century1640s
1642 Timeline
Georgeana (York) in Maine becomes the first incorporated American city
Georgeana (York) in Maine becomes the first incorporated American city
Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens discovers Mars's southern polar cap
Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens discovers Mars's southern polar cap
English Civil War begins between Royalists and Parliamentarians
English Civil War begins between Royalists and Parliamentarians
Dutch explorer Abel Tasman is the first European to discover Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania)
Abel Janszoon Tasman was a Dutch seafarer and explorer, best known for his voyages of 1642 and 1644 in the service of the Dutch East India Company (VOC).
Dutch explorer Abel Tasman sights the South Island of present day New Zealand; initially he calls it Staten Landt and ch
Dutch explorer Abel Tasman sights the South Island of present day New Zealand; initially he calls it Staten Landt and changes it a year later to Nieuw Zeeland [1]
Abel Tasman's expedition is the first European voyage to reach New Zealand sailing into Wharewharangi Bay at the top of
Abel Tasman's expedition is the first European voyage to reach New Zealand sailing into Wharewharangi Bay at the top of the South Island, making the first confirmed contact with Maori
English Queen Henriette Maria arrives in Hellevoetsluis, Netherlands
English Queen Henriette Maria arrives in Hellevoetsluis, Netherlands
Sixth Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Joseph, takes office an unusual 18 months after his predecessor passed away
Sixth Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Joseph, takes office an unusual 18 months after his predecessor passed away
First compulsory education law in America is passed by Massachusetts
Compulsory education refers to a period of education that is required of all people and is imposed by the government.
Perpignan surrenders to French troops
Perpignan surrenders to French troops
Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, holds its first commencement
What was originally called Harvard Colledge (around which Harvard University eventually grew) held its first Commencement in September 1642, when nine degrees were conferred. Today some 1700...
Second Battle of Breitenfeld, aka First Battle of Leipzig; victory for the Swedish army under Field Marshal Lennart Tors
Second Battle of Breitenfeld, aka First Battle of Leipzig; victory for the Swedish army under Field Marshal Lennart Torstenson over Holy Roman Empire army under Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria
Pope Urbanus VIII publishes decree In eminente
Pope Urbanus VIII publishes decree In eminente
Galileo Galilei dies
Galileo Galilei, Italian physicist and astronomer, known for italian physicist and astronomer, died on 1642-01-08.
Events
Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens discovers Mars's southern polar cap
Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens discovers Mars's southern polar cap
English Civil War begins between Royalists and Parliamentarians
English Civil War begins between Royalists and Parliamentarians
Dutch explorer Abel Tasman is the first European to discover Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania)
Abel Janszoon Tasman was a Dutch seafarer and explorer, best known for his voyages of 1642 and 1644 in the service of the Dutch East India Company (VOC).
Dutch explorer Abel Tasman sights the South Island of present day New Zealand; initially he calls it Staten Landt and ch
Dutch explorer Abel Tasman sights the South Island of present day New Zealand; initially he calls it Staten Landt and changes it a year later to Nieuw Zeeland [1]
Abel Tasman's expedition is the first European voyage to reach New Zealand sailing into Wharewharangi Bay at the top of
Abel Tasman's expedition is the first European voyage to reach New Zealand sailing into Wharewharangi Bay at the top of the South Island, making the first confirmed contact with Maori
English Queen Henriette Maria arrives in Hellevoetsluis, Netherlands
English Queen Henriette Maria arrives in Hellevoetsluis, Netherlands
Sixth Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Joseph, takes office an unusual 18 months after his predecessor passed away
Sixth Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Joseph, takes office an unusual 18 months after his predecessor passed away
First compulsory education law in America is passed by Massachusetts
Compulsory education refers to a period of education that is required of all people and is imposed by the government.
Perpignan surrenders to French troops
Perpignan surrenders to French troops
Harvard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, holds its first commencement
What was originally called Harvard Colledge (around which Harvard University eventually grew) held its first Commencement in September 1642, when nine degrees were conferred. Today some 1700...
Second Battle of Breitenfeld, aka First Battle of Leipzig; victory for the Swedish army under Field Marshal Lennart Tors
Second Battle of Breitenfeld, aka First Battle of Leipzig; victory for the Swedish army under Field Marshal Lennart Torstenson over Holy Roman Empire army under Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria
Pope Urbanus VIII publishes decree In eminente
Pope Urbanus VIII publishes decree In eminente
Notable Deaths
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened in 1642?
- In 1642, there were 13 significant historical events. Notable events include Georgeana (York) in Maine becomes the first incorporated American city, Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens discovers Mars's southern polar cap, English Civil War begins between Royalists and Parliamentarians.
- Who died in 1642?
- 1 notable figure passed away in 1642, including Galileo Galilei dies.