1580s

Millennium:	2nd millennium
Centuries:	15th century – 16th century – 17th century
Decades:	1550s 1560s 1570s – 1580s – 1590s 1600s 1610s
Years:	1580 1581 1582 1583 1584 1585 1586 1587 1588 1589
Categories:	Births – Deaths – Architecture Establishments – Disestablishments

The 1580s decade ran from January 1, 1580 to December 31, 1589.

Events and trends

• The 'Golden Age' of Literature in England began.
• The eighth and last French War of Religion started, and that war would end ten years later by the Peace of Vervins and the Edict of Nantes.
• Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed Newfoundland as England's first overseas colony in 1583.
• Francis Drake had come back from going around the world, bringing back with him many treasures.
• Jesuits arrived in China.
• Queen Elizabeth I of England complained that there were too many "blackamoores" competing with needy English people for places as domestic servants.