Year by year · 17th century

1644

1644 in world history: 5 events, 4 births, 6 deaths, 5 states founded and 2 that came to an end. 1,111 recorded states existed that year.

Events

  1. 25 April

    Last Ming emperor takes his own life as Beijing falls

    As Li Zicheng's rebels entered Beijing, the Chongzhen Emperor hanged himself on Coal Hill behind the Forbidden City. Within weeks the Manchus seized the capital and founded Qing rule.

    Qing EmpireLi ZichengBeijingManchus

  2. 23 November

    John Milton publishes Areopagitica

    John Milton issued Areopagitica, an unlicensed pamphlet arguing against Parliament's censorship of printing. It became a classic defence of freedom of the press.

ProfileState965 states with a known seat in 1644Open the atlas at 1644 →

In the profiles

  • Ming EmpireLi Zicheng takes Beijing; the Chongzhen Emperor takes his own life and the Qing occupy the city
  • Qing EmpireWu Sangui opens the Shanhai Pass and Qing forces capture Beijing

Wars and longer events

Born in 1644 4

Died in 1644 6

States founded 5

States that came to an end 2

All years → The 17th century →

Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). 1644. In The Epoch Institute, Year by Year. https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/1644
MLA
“1644.” The Epoch Institute, Year by Year, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/1644. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “1644.” The Epoch Institute, Year by Year. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/1644.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘1644’, The Epoch Institute, Year by Year. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/years/1644 (Accessed: ).