Deaths on July 29

Pope Urban VIII

Died on July 29, 1644

Pope Urban VIII (b. 1568)

Pope Urban VIII (Latin: Urbanus VIII; Italian: Urbano VIII; baptised 5 April 1568 – 29 July 1644), born Maffeo Vincenzo Barberini, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 6 August 1623 to his death in 1644. As pope, he expanded the papal territory by force of arms and advantageous politicking, and was also a prominent patron of the arts and a reformer of Church missions.

However, the massive debts incurred during his pontificate greatly weakened his successors, who were unable to maintain the papacy's longstanding political and military influence in Europe. He was also an opponent of Copernicanism and involved in the Galileo affair. He is the last pope to date to take the pontifical name "Urban".

References

Pope Urban VIII

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Events on 1644

18 Mar

Colony of Virginia
The Third Anglo-Powhatan War begins in the Colony of Virginia.
25 May

Wu Sangui
Ming general Wu Sangui forms an alliance with the invading Manchus and opens the gates of the Great Wall of China at Shanhaiguan pass, letting the Manchus through towards the capital Beijing.
27 May

Battle of Shanhai Pass
Manchu regent Dorgon defeats rebel leader Li Zicheng of the Shun dynasty at the Battle of Shanhai Pass, allowing the Manchus to enter and conquer the capital city of Beijing.
6 Jun

Shunzhi Emperor
The Qing dynasty Manchu forces led by the Shunzhi Emperor capture Beijing during the collapse of the Ming dynasty.
2 Jul

Battle of Marston Moor
English Civil War: Battle of Marston Moor.

Deaths on July 29

Pope Urban VIII

Died on July 29, 1644

References

Choose Another Date

Events on 1644

Colony of Virginia

Wu Sangui

Battle of Shanhai Pass

Shunzhi Emperor

Battle of Marston Moor