1656 facts for kids
| Millennium: | 2nd millennium |
|---|---|
| Centuries: | 16th century – 17th century – 18th century |
| Decades: | 1620s 1630s 1640s – 1650s – 1660s 1670s 1680s |
| Years: | 1653 1654 1655 – 1656 – 1657 1658 1659 |
The year 1656 was a leap year that started on a Saturday. It was a time of important changes and new ideas around the world.
Contents
Science and New Inventions
In 1656, people were making exciting discoveries and creating new tools.
The Pendulum Clock is Invented
- December – A brilliant Dutch scientist named Christiaan Huygens invented the pendulum clock. This was a huge step forward for telling time accurately. Before this, clocks were not very precise. Huygens' invention used a swinging weight (a pendulum) to keep time, making clocks much more reliable. This helped scientists and sailors a lot!
Other Scientific Discoveries
Scientists like Huygens were also studying light and the planets. They were trying to understand how the universe worked, which led to many new ideas in physics and astronomy.
Major Events Around the World
Many important things happened in different countries during 1656.
The Battle of Warsaw
- July 28–30 – A big battle called the Battle of Warsaw took place. This was part of a larger conflict known as the Second Northern War. In this battle, the armies of Sweden and Brandenburg fought against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was one of the biggest battles of its time, involving many soldiers.
Politics and Leaders
Around Europe, kings, queens, and leaders were making decisions that shaped their countries. They were often involved in wars or making peace treaties. This period was important for how countries like Sweden, Poland, and the Netherlands developed.
Important People Born in 1656
Some famous people who would later make a big difference were born in 1656.
Edmond Halley
- November 8 – Edmond Halley was born. He became a very famous English astronomer, mathematician, and physicist. He is best known for calculating the orbit of the comet that now bears his name, Halley's Comet. He also made important maps and studied the Earth's magnetism.
Jan Frans van Douven
- March 2 – Jan Frans van Douven was born. He became a Dutch painter who was known for painting portraits of important people. His art helps us see what people and fashion were like during his time.
Images for kids
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The Battle of Warsaw, a major event in 1656.
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Duchess Johanna Magdalena of Saxe-Altenburg.
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A portrait by Jan Frans van Douven.
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The famous astronomer Edmond Halley.
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A portrait of Jan van Goyen.
See also
In Spanish: 1656 para niños
