History
1654
General
Population: 551 Million*
- Entertainment: Writers include Augustin Moreto y Cabana (comedy), George Chapman (tragedy), Savinien Cyrano de Bergerac (comedy),
Madeline de Scudery (romance), Molière (comedy), Joost van den Vondel (drama), John Webster (tragedy), Johann Amos Comenius (book for children),
John Milton (philosophy),
Art includes Pieter de Hooch "Delft after the Explosion", Carel Fabritius "The Linnet", Rembrandt "Portrait of Jan Six"
- Science: Blaise Pascal and Pierre de Fermat state theory of probability
- Technology: Otto von Guericke gives first demonstration of air pump
First accurate thermometer used
- Deaths: Architect Jean Lemercier, Statesman Axel Oxenstierna, Composer Samuel Scheidt
Americas
- Brazil: Portuguese drive Dutch out of Brazil
Europe
- General: Treaty of Westminster ends Anglo-Dutch war – Dutch recognize navigation act
Treaty of Commerce between England and Sweden
War between Russia and Poland to 1660 – Russia takes Smolensk
- England: First English Protectorate Parliament meets
John Webb creates Lamport Hall in England
- France: Coronation of Louis XIV at Rheims
- German States: Entailor – fee tail – after Spanish model introduced in Germany signifying interest in land rights
- Sweden: End reign of Queen Christina of Sweden – abdicates upon conversion to Catholicism – Cousin Charles X rules
East
- First Jewish settlers arrive in New Amsterdam from Brazil