Year by year · 17th century
1640
1640 in world history: 10 events, 5 births, 4 deaths, 1 work, 2 states founded and 2 that came to an end. 1,107 recorded states existed that year.
Events
Portuguese conspirators end Spanish rule in Lisbon
Nobles stormed the royal palace in Lisbon and proclaimed the Duke of Braganza king as John IV. The coup ended 60 years of union with Spain; the Braganza dynasty reigned until 1910.
Revolt
Corpus de Sang
The Corpus de Sang ('Bloody Corpus') was the riot of 7 June 1640 in Barcelona, when reapers and townspeople, angered by the billeting of royal troops, killed the viceroy, the Count of Santa Coloma.
Battle
Battle of Newburn
The Battle of Newburn was fought on 28 August 1640 at a ford over the River Tyne west of Newcastle, where the Covenanter army under Alexander Leslie defeated an English force and went on to occupy Newcastle.
In the profiles
Dzungar KhanateErdeni Batur joins the assembly that drafts the Mongol-Oirat Code
Kingdom of PortugalA revolt restores independence under John IV of Braganza
Principality of CataloniaThe Reapers’ War breaks out with the Corpus de Sang in Barcelona
Habsburg SpainCatalonia and Portugal revolt
Wars and longer events
Born in 1640 5
Died in 1640 4
Works 1
States founded 2
States that came to an end 2
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- APA
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- Harvard
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