Events in the Dutch world to commemorate on days throughout the year. From January’s signing of the Union of Utrecht to December’s Sinterklaas.
The history of the Netherlands and Scandinavia in North America is rich with exploration, trade, and settlement. From early voyages across the Atlantic to the establishment of colonies and enduring cultural ties, these nations played a vital role in shaping the continent’s development. This timeline traces key events and connections, offering a clear view of how Dutch and Scandinavian influence left a lasting imprint on North American history.
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1579
Signing of the Union of Utrecht
23rd January
Signing of the Union of Utrecht, which brings the seven northern provinces of the Netherlands together into a defense alliance against the Spanish Hapsburgs.
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1654
Capitulation of Taborda
26th January
"Verzuimd Brazil"-- The Dutch formally surrender their holdings in Brazil to Portugal; known as the Capitulation of Taborda.
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1575
Founding of Leiden University
8th February
Founding of Leiden University.
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1674
Signing of the Treaty of Westminster
19th February
Signing of the Treaty of Westminster, ending the Third Anglo-Dutch War.
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1602
Formation of the East India Company
20th March
Formation of the East India Company (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie--VOC).
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1622
Massive Powhatan uprising
20th March
Massive Powhatan uprising against English plantations on the James River in Virginia, launching the Second Anglo-Powhatan War, which was to last for ten years.
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1638
Arrival of Willem Kieft
28th March
Arrival of Willem Kieft aboard De Haring to assume the directorship of New Netherland.
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1572
Dutch rebels capture the city Den Briel
1st April
The Dutch rebels capture the city Den Briel from the Spaniards, inspiring other elements in the Netherlands to join the revolt. "Op den eersten van April/ Verloor Duc d'Alva zynen Bril."
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1654
Treaty of Westminster
5th April
The Treaty of Westminster ends the First Anglo-Dutch War.
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1609
The Twelve Years' Truce concluded
9th April
The Twelve Years' Truce concluded with Spain at Antwerp.
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1652
The Formation of Beverwijck
10th April
The formation of the village of Beverwijck, established as the Court of Fort Orange and Beverwijck, temporarily resolving the dispute between the Patroonship of Rensselaerswijck and the West India Company.
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1624
Peter Minuit arrives
4th May
Peter Minuit arrives in New Netherland aboard the See Meeuw to become director.
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1647
Petrus Stuyvesant arrives at Manhattan
11th May
Petrus Stuyvesant arrives at Manhattan with the WIC ships Groote Gerrit and Princess Amalia to assume his position as director general of New Netherland, Curaçao, Bonaire and Aruba.
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1619
The Beheading of Johan van Oldenbamevelt
13th May
The beheading of Johan van Oldenbamevelt, leader of the anti-war party, at The Hague; this victory of the counter-remonstrants led to continuation of war with Spain and the formation of the WIC.
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1691
Execution by Hanging of Jacob Leisler
16th May
Execution by hanging of Jacob Leisler and his son-in-law Jacob Milborne in NYC.
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1654
Fort Casimir captured by Johan Rising
21st May
Fort Casimir on the Delaware captured by Johan Rising, newly arrived governor of New Sweden, on Trinity Sunday (57 days after Easter); Dutch fort renamed Fort Trefaldighet (Fort Trinity).
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1629
Death of Piet Heyn
18th June
Death of Piet Heyn (who captured the Spanish silver fleet) in action against the Dunkirkers. "syn naem is klein / maer syn daeden benne groot."
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1584
Assassination of William I
10th July
Assassination of William, Prince of Orange and Nassau, at his residence, the Prinsenhof, in Delft.
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1581
The Act of Abjuration
26th July
The Act of Abjuration at the Hague in which representatives of the rebelling Dutch provinces abjured their oath to Philip 11; comparable to our Declaration of Independence.
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1588
Defeat of the Spanish Armada
29th July
Defeat of the Spanish Armada by a combined English and Dutch force.
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1672
Alexander d'Hiniyossa Beheaded
8th August
Alexander d'Hiniyossa, former director of Nieuwer Amstel, Amsterdam's colony on the South River, beheaded at Edam for inciting to mutiny and leaving his post at Wesel.
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1673
New Netherland Restored
9th August
The combined fleet of Cornelis Evertsz and Jacob Benckes captures New York and restore New Netherland during the Third Anglo-Dutch War. New York City is renamed New Orange; Kingston becomes Swanenburgh; Albany, Willemstad; Fort Albany, Fort Nassau.
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1655
Stuyvesant's Expedition Against New Sweden
5th September
Stuyvesant's expedition against New Sweden on the Delaware leaves Manhattan after Sunday church service. The expeditionary force consisted of seven ships, including Den Waagh, a forty-two gun warship on loan from the city of Amsterdam, and 350 soldiers.
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1628
Piet Heyn Captures Spanish Silver Fleet
8th September
Piet Heyn, in command of fleet West India Company squadron of warships, captures the Spanish silver fleet in Matanzas Bay, Cuba.
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1664
Stuyvesant Surrenders New Netherland
8th September
Stuyvesant surrenders New Netherland during peace time to an English invasion fleet commanded by Richard Nicolls.
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1655
Stuyvesant Captures Swedish fort "Trinity"
11th September
Stuyvesant captures the Swedish fort "Trinity" (former Fort Casimir) at present-day New Castle, Delaware.
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1655
Peach War Erupts
15th September
The Peach War erupts with attack on New Amsterdam by a combined force of Manhattan rim Indians.
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1609
Halve Maen Reaches Present-day Albany Area
19th September
The East India Company ship Halve Maen, commanded by Henry Hudson, reaches the present-day Albany area.
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1574
Relief of Leiden in 1574
3rd October
Relief of Leiden after a long and bitter siege by Spanish forces. Prince of Orange rewards citizens for their resistance by making Leiden a university center (see Feb 8).
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1614
The Place Name New Netherland Appears
11th October
The place name New Netherland appears for the first time in a resolution of the States General of the United Provinces concerning trading licenses between New France and Virginia.
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1674
New Netherland Returned to England
10th November
New Netherland officially returned to England as the province of New York as a result of the Treaty of Westminster, ending the Third Anglo-Dutch War.
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1688
William III is Crowned King of England
15th November
William III Hendrick, Prince of Orange, Stadhouder of Holland and Zeeland, enters Tor Bay along the south-west coast of England with 50 ships and lands 21,000 Dutch troops in Brixham, Devonshire; William marches on London where he is crowned William III, king of England.
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1776
St. Eustatius Recognizes the American Flag
16th November
Johannes de Graaff, governor of St. Eustatius, a Caribbean possession of the Netherlands, salutes the Massachusetts ship Andrew Doria and becomes the first foreign power to recognize the flag of the American colonies, which are in revolt against England.
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Sinterklaas Avond
5th December
Sinterklaas avond, the night before the traditional birthday of St. Nicolaas, during which children are presented with gifts. The event forms the basis for the American tradition of Santa Claus.
