History
1591
General
Population: 532 Million*
- Entertainment: Writers include Robert Greene (Philomena romance), Shakespeare Henry VI part I and The Troublesome Reigne of King John of England (attributed),
John Lyly (allegorical comedy), Sir Philip Sidney Astrophel and Stella (posthumous), Edmund Spenser Complaints
- Mathematics: François Viete writes about using letters in algebraic equations
- Religion: Death of Pope Gregory XIV – Cardinal Giovanni Antonio Facchinetti becomes Pope Innocent IX – dies at end of 1591
- Science: Giordano Bruno writes regarding the universe
- Deaths: Musician Vincenzo Galilei (father of Galileo), Pope Gregory XIV, Pope Innocent IX, Christian I of Saxony, Luis de Leon, Mystic John of the Cross (Juan de Yepez y Alvarez),
Africa
- West: Songhai (Songhay) empire defeated by Moroccan army (Muslim) at Tondibi – made of Spanish and Portuguese mercenaries - Moroccans sack Gao
Americas
- Cuba: Cyclone off Havana shrinks Spanish fleet
Asia
- Philippines: Eruption of Mt. Taal
Europe
- England: Trinity College in Dublin founded by Elizabeth I
James Lancaster leaves Plymouth on first voyage to E Indies
- France: Henry IV of France excommunicated by Pope Gregory XIV
- German States: Death of Christian I of Saxony – succeeded by eight year old son Christian II
Skittle Alleys – in use since the 12th century – become popular in Germany
- Holy Roman Empire: Rebellion of Aragon region from Philip II HRE
- Ireland: Trinity College founded in Dublin
- Italian States: Famine
- Russia: Dimitri son of Ivan the Terrible assassinated on instigation of Boris Godunov – regent under Czar Fyodor
- Spain: First "Running of the Bulls" in Pamplona
Rebellion of Aragon region from Philip II HRE