What happened in 1609

2 entries recorded for 1609, listed by date. That was 417 years ago.

1609 at a glance

Years ago
417 (as of 2026)
Century
17th century
Decade
1600s
Generation born
Before the named generations
Entries here
2
Breakdown
2 historical events

May

  • May 20

    Thomas Thorpe

    Historical event

    Thomas Thorpe published the first copies of Shakespeare's sonnets, possibly without William Shakespeare's consent.

August

  • August 25

    Galileo Galilei

    Historical event

    Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei (pictured) demonstrated his first telescope to Venetian lawmakers.

Questions about 1609

What happened in 1609?

This site records 2 entries for 1609, including Thomas Thorpe on May 20. They are listed below by date.

How long ago was 1609?

417 years ago, counting from 2026. Anyone born in 1609 turns 417 this year.

Which century is 1609 in?

1609 falls in the 17th century, in the 1600s.

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