1556 Facts for Kids

The year 1556 was an important time in history, filled with big events and the births of people who would later become famous. From a massive earthquake in China to the lives of important leaders and thinkers, 1556 saw many changes around the world.

Millennium:	2nd millennium
Centuries:	15th century – 16th century – 17th century
Decades:	1520s 1530s 1540s – 1550s – 1560s 1570s 1580s
Years:	1553 1554 1555 – 1556 – 1557 1558 1559

Major Events of 1556
- The Great Shaanxi Earthquake
Notable People Born in 1556
- Important Births of 1556
Important Deaths in 1556
- Key Figures Who Died in 1556
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Major Events of 1556

The Great Shaanxi Earthquake

On January 23, 1556, a huge earthquake hit the Shaanxi province in China. This was one of the deadliest earthquakes ever recorded. It caused terrible damage and sadly, over 850,000 people lost their lives. The earthquake changed the landscape and had a lasting impact on the region.

Notable People Born in 1556

Important Births of 1556

Many people who would become famous were born in 1556. Here are a few of them:

January 8 – Uesugi Kagekatsu: He was a powerful Japanese samurai and warlord. He played a big part in the history of Japan during his time.
February 21 – Sethus Calvisius: A German scholar who was known for his work on calendars. He helped improve how people kept track of dates.
March 7 – Guillaume du Vair: A French statesman and philosopher. He was a very smart person who held important positions in the government.
November 15 – Jacques-Davy Duperron: A French cardinal, which is a high-ranking official in the Catholic Church. He was also a diplomat and a writer.
Henry Briggs: An English mathematician. He is famous for his work on logarithms, which are special numbers used in calculations.
Margaret Clitherow: An English Catholic martyr. She was a brave woman who stood up for her beliefs.
Maria of Nassau: She was the second daughter of William the Silent, a very important leader in the Netherlands.

Important Deaths in 1556

Key Figures Who Died in 1556

The year 1556 also saw the passing of several influential people:

Thomas Cranmer: He was an important leader in the English Reformation. He served as the Archbishop of Canterbury and played a key role in changing the Church in England.
Ignatius of Loyola: He was a Spanish priest who founded the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. This religious order became very influential around the world.