1631st

The year 1631 was the 1631st year of the Anno Domini era. It was a common year that began on a Friday according to the Julian calendar. In the Gregorian calendar, it began on a Monday. This year saw significant events across Europe and the world.

In Europe, the Thirty Years' War continued to rage. The Battle of Breitenfeld took place in September, marking a major victory for the Protestant forces led by King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden against the Imperial forces of the Holy Roman Empire. This battle is considered a turning point in the war. Elsewhere, in England, the fleet sent to relieve La Rochelle was defeated by the French. The Mughal Empire in India was under the rule of Emperor Shah Jahan, who had ascended to the throne the previous year.

Scientific and cultural developments also marked 1631. Johannes Kepler, the renowned astronomer, published his Rudolphine Tables, a comprehensive star catalog and planetary tables. In literature, figures like John Milton were active, though his most famous works would come later. The year also saw the publication of the King James Bible in England, though its printing began earlier. The ongoing exploration and colonization efforts by European powers continued to shape global demographics and economies.