1662 facts for kids
The year 1662 was a common year that started on a Sunday. It was a time of change and important events around the world.
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Events in 1662
The Dodo Bird Disappears
One of the most famous events of 1662 was the sad disappearance of the Dodo bird. This unique bird lived only on the island of Mauritius, which is in the Indian Ocean.
What Was the Dodo?
The Dodo was a large, flightless bird. This means it could not fly. It was about one meter (3.3 feet) tall and weighed around 10–18 kilograms (22–40 pounds). Because there were no natural predators on Mauritius, the Dodo had no need to fly or to be afraid of humans. It was often described as clumsy and slow.
Why Did the Dodo Go Extinct?
Sadly, when sailors and settlers arrived on Mauritius, they hunted the Dodo birds for food. They also brought new animals like pigs, dogs, and rats to the island. These animals ate the Dodo's eggs and competed for food. The Dodo's habitat (its home) was also destroyed as forests were cut down. Because the Dodo reproduced slowly and couldn't adapt quickly, its numbers dropped fast. By 1662, it is believed the last Dodo bird died, making it one of the first well-known examples of an animal going extinct because of human activity.
Fort Zeelandia Changes Hands
Another important event in 1662 happened far away in Taiwan. On February 1, the Dutch East India Company lost control of Fort Zeelandia.
What Was Fort Zeelandia?
Fort Zeelandia was a trading post and fortress built by the Dutch. They had been in control of parts of Taiwan since 1624. The fort was important for trade between China, Japan, and Europe. It helped the Dutch control valuable goods like sugar and deer hides.
The Siege and Surrender
A Chinese general named Koxinga (also known as Zheng Chenggong) led a large army and navy to Taiwan. He wanted to take the island from the Dutch. Koxinga's forces surrounded Fort Zeelandia and began a long siege. A siege is when an army surrounds a fort or city to cut off supplies and force it to surrender. After nine months of fighting, the Dutch inside the fort ran out of food and supplies. They were forced to surrender to Koxinga. This event marked the end of Dutch rule in Taiwan.
Images for kids
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Nova Orbis Tabula in Lucem Edita is published by Dutch cartographer Frederik de Wit.
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February 1: Surrender of the Dutch Fort Zeelandia.
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Willem van Mieris
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Adriaen van de Venne
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See also
In Spanish: 1662 para niños
