History
1587
General
Population: 529 Million*
- Entertainment: Writers include Robert Greene (continuation of Lyly's plays), Marlowe Tamburlaine, Volksbuch von Dr. Faust first printed at Frankfurt – English translation next year,
Antonio Agustino (numismatics), John Knox (history of Scottish reformation, posthumous), Manuel on rhetoric (Dutch), Isaac Casaubon (edited works of Strabo),
Music includes Monteverdi (first book of madrigals), Zeminoth Israel (early collection of Jewish songs),
- Exploration: Richard Hakluyt writes about French voyages into New World
- Religion: Pope Sixtus V proclaims Catholic crusade for invasion of England
- Deaths: Mary Queen of Scots (executed),
Asia
- Japan: Hideyoshi banishes Portuguese (Christian) missionaries from Japan when he is refused sex for religious reasons
Osaka Castle in Japan finished
Europe
- General: ENG and SPA war - Sir Francis Drake destroys Spanish fleet at Cadiz
- England: Mary Queen of Scots executed at Fotheringay leading Spain under Philip II to invade
Sir Christopher Hatton becomes Lord Chancellor
Drake attacks Spanish fleet in Cadiz
Cobham Hall in Kent built
- German States: First company of English players (theater) in Germany
- Italian States: Construction of Rialto Bridge in Venice by Antonio da Ponte
Francesco I de Medici dies and Ferdinando I de Medici becomes Grand Duke of Tuscany
- Poland: A son of King John of Sweden succeeds Stephen Bathory as Sigismund III of Poland
- Spain: Destruction of Spanish Philip's fleet at Cadiz
Savoy and Catholic cantons form alliance with Spain
Middle East
- Persia: Reign of Shah Abbas I The Great of Persia begins
South
- North Carolina: Roanoke Colony established