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Birth of Baha’u’llah
Baha’u’llah is born. -
Birth of Siyyid Ali-Muhammad
Siyyid Ali-Muhammad is born. -
Siyyid Ali-Muhammad becomes the Bab
At age 25 Siyyid Ali-Muhammad, a merchant of Shirez, Persia proclaims he has been sent by God to prepare the world for another messanger greater than he. He takes on the title of The Bab (meaning "gate" in Arabic). -
`Abdu'l-Bahá is born
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Imprisonment of The Bab
From 1844 to 1850 the teachings of The Bab spread rapidly. However his teachings were looked down on by clergy and government at the time. He was imprisoned and more than 20.000 of his followers (called Babis) were killed in a serious of violent massacres. -
The Bab is executed
The Bab is publically executed in Tabriz, Iran. Over 10,000 citizens were present to watch the execution. -
Baha’u’llah is arrested
Baha’u’llah is arrested, beaten, and thrown into an underground dungeon known as the Black Pit. In the darkness of the dungeon, Baha’u’llah receives the Revelation that He is the Messenger foretold by the Bab. Baha’u’llah is released after four months and exiled to Baghdad. -
Religion goes from Babi to Baha'i
Baha’u’llah is banished a second time, to Constantinople (Istanbul). The night before He leaves Baghdad, Baha’u’llah announces that He is the long-awaited Messenger of God promised by the Bab. From that point on the religion is known as the Baha’i Faith. Baha’is recognize Baha’u’llah as the most recent in a line of Messengers of God that includes Abraham, Moses, Krishna, Buddha, Zoroaster, Christ, Muhammad and the Bab. -
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Baha Faith
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Baha’u’llah reveals Sacred Scripture
Baha’u’llah reveals numerous volumes of Sacred Scripture, outlining His Teachings, answering difficult theological questions, and establishing the laws and institutions of His faith. Baha’u’llah is a unique world religious figure in that He establishes in writing the future pattern of the organization of His faith. He also writes letters to the kings and rulers of His day, informing them of the advent of His Revelation. -
Baha’u’llah arrives in the Holy Land
Baha’u’llah arrives in the Holy Land with about 70 family members and followers, sentenced by the Ottoman authorities to confinement in the penal colony of Acre. The order of strict confinement was never lifted, but He eventually moves outside the walls of the Old City of Acre to a nearby estate called Bahji. -
Baha’u’llah passes away
Baha’u’llah passes away and is put to rest at Bahji. For Baha’is, His Shrine is the holiest place on earth and a place of pilgrimage. At His instruction, the spiritual and administrative center of His Faith is permanently fixed in the Haifa/Acre area. -
`Abdu’l-Baha becomes head of the faith
For the first time in history, a world religion founder leaves a written Will. Baha’u’llah appoints His eldest son, `Abdu’l-Baha the head of the Faith and authorized interpreter of His Teachings. The name, `Abdu’l-Baha, means “Servant of Baha.” -
Baha'i hits the US
The first public mention of the Baha’i Faith in North America is made at the World Parliament of Religions held in Chicago. Also the location of the North American place of worship. -
Shoghi Effendi is born
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The Chicago Baha’i Assembly incorporates
The Chicago Baha’i Assembly incorporates, becoming the first local Baha’i community in the world to acquire legal status. The American Baha’i community, then numbering about 1,000 members, begins building the first Baha’i House of Worship in the West on the shores of Lake Michigan. -
'Abdu’l-Baha is imprisoned
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Abdu’l-Baha is freed
Abdu’l-Baha is freed and He then journeys throughout Europe and North America to encourage Baha’i communities and to proclaim Baha’u’llah’s teachings to the general public. -
Abdu’l-Baha passes away
Abdu’l-Baha passes away, leaving a will designating His eldest grandson, Shoghi Effendi, as His successor and giving him the title of Guardian of the Baha’i Faith. -
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States and Canada is incorporated
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States and Canada is incorporated. Its charter document, the Declaration of Trust and Bylaws, later serves as the model for the formation of more than 180 National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world. -
The Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, IL is dedicated for public worship.
The Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, IL is dedicated for public worship. -
Shoghi Effendi passes away
With the passing of Shoghi Effendi in 1957, the line of hereditary leaders of the Baha’i Faith came to an end. -
Baha’is elect the Universal House of Justice
Following Baha’u’llah’s instructions, Baha’is elect the Universal House of Justice, the world governing body of the Baha’i Faith. Elections for the Universal House of Justice are held every five years as set forth by scriptural writings. The Universal House of Justice keeps the Baha’i community unified and responsive to the needs and conditions of an evolving world. -
Baha'i today
The Baha’i community now has more than five million members from over 2000 ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Baha’i communities are in more than 230 countries and dependent territories, with elected national administrative institutions in 186 countries.
