1656

Events

• Mehmed Köprülü becomes Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire.
• Jews are readmitted to England by Oliver Cromwell.
• The Stockholm Banco , the first bank to issue banknotes, is founded.
• The only Fifty Shilling British coin is minted.
• Adams' Grammar School in Shropshire, England is founded by William Adams.
• December - The pendulum clock is invented by Christiaan Huygens.

Ongoing Events

• The Deluge (1648-1667)

Births

• May 31 - Marin Marais, French composer and viol player.
• October 29 (Julian calendar) - Edmond Halley, English scientist
• Patrick Abercromby, Scottish physician and antiquarian

Deaths

• March 21 - James Ussher, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland between 1625-1656
• October 2 - Myles Standish, Mayflower colonist
• November 6 - King John IV of Portugal
• Jan van Goyen, painter
• Stephen Bachiler, English clergyman