What happened in 1556
3 entries recorded for 1556, listed by date. That was 470 years ago.
1556 at a glance
- Years ago
- 470 (as of 2026)
- Century
- 16th century
- Decade
- 1550s
- Generation born
- Before the named generations
- Entries here
- 3
- Breakdown
- 3 historical events
January
- January 23
1556 Shaanxi earthquake
One of the deadliest earthquakes in history struck Shaanxi, China, resulting in at least 100,000 direct deaths.
March
- March 21
Thomas Cranmer
Thomas Cranmer, a former archbishop of Canterbury and one of the founders of Anglicanism, was burned at the stake for heresy in Oxford, England.
November
- November 5
Second Battle of Panipat
At the Second Battle of Panipat, forces of the Mughal emperor Akbar captured Hemu, the Hindu emperor of north India.
Questions about 1556
What happened in 1556?
This site records 3 entries for 1556, including 1556 Shaanxi earthquake on January 23. They are listed below by date.
How long ago was 1556?
470 years ago, counting from 2026. Anyone born in 1556 turns 470 this year.
Which century is 1556 in?
1556 falls in the 16th century, in the 1550s.
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