The 1560s decade ran from January 1, 1560, to December 31, 1569. BirthsGalileo Galilei, Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher.William Shakespeare, English playwright.Edward Wright (baptized 8 October 1561), English mathematician and cartographer. Events and trends The first, second and third French Wars of Religion were fought between Catholics and Protestants as part of the fallout from the Reformation. In 1565, the city of St. Augustine was founded by the Spanish admir… (More on 1560s)