Martin Luther

Date of birth

Nov 10, 1483

Martin Luther was born in Eisleben, Saxony on November 10th, 1483. His father, Hans Luther, held success as an ore smelter and miner. In 1484 his family moved to Mansfeld, Germany where his father held ore deposits. Hans knew how difficult a mining business was and wanted his son to have a better profession. Martin's father wanted him to become a lawyer. (O'Neill 6)

War of Roses ends in England

Aug 22, 1485

The War of the Roses was a series of civil wars in England between the House of York, represented by a white rose, and the House of Lancaster, represented by a red rose.The wars took place for 30 years, between 1455 and 1485, and the two sides were fighting over control of the English Throne. Henry Tudor (Henry VII), from the House of Lancaster, defeated Richard III at Bosworth Field in 1485 and then married Elizabeth of York. This ended the War and united the opposing Houses. (history.com)

Christopher Columbus discovers America

1492

Overseas explorer, Christopher Columbus made four journeys across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain in search of a direct sea route to Asia. The voyager never found the sea route, but accidentally came across the Americas in 1492. His discoveries marked the start of years and years of transatlantic colonization. (history.com)

Leonardo da Vinci paints "The Last Supper"

1498

Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian artist who undertook the large project of painting "The Last Supper" in 1498. His employer, Duke of Milan, requested that he do the painting. The Duke wanted the religious scene of Jesus with the Apostles at The Last Supper painted, and da Vinci decided to create it, for it would benefit himself financially. (thoughtco.com)

Begins studying in law school

1501

While in Mansfeld, Martin entered school at seven years old. When he turned 14, he went to Magdeburg to continue his studies. In 1498, he went back to Eisleben and enrolled in a school for grammar and logic. Next, he entered the University of Erfurt where he got a master of arts degree in grammar, logic, rhetoric, and metaphysics. Martin Luther was now on his way to becoming a lawyer. (encyclopedia of world biography 1)

First black slaves brought to Santo Domingo

1501

The first Spanish settlers in the Dominican Republic (Hispaniola) tried to make slaves out of the indigenous Tainos, but diseases brought from Europe wiped them out. In 1501, Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain gave permission to colonists in the Caribbean to import African slaves. This was the beginning of the Atlantic Slave Trade. Africans were first sold as slaves in Santo Domingo to replace the native Taino slaves. They worked in the gold mines and on sugar plantations. (histclo.com)

Gets caught in a storm

1505

When he completed his master's degree, Martin traveled back to law school after visiting his parents in 1505. A while outside of Erfurt, he got caught in an awful thunderstorm. With lightning striking all around him, he was soon on the ground because of the air pressure the storm created. Martin called to Saint Anne, "I will become a Monk!" His father was disgusted with his son's declaration but Martin honored his statement and entered the Black Monestary in Erfurt to become a monk. (luther.de)

Begins studying at Lutherstadt Wittenburg

1508

Martin Luther began studying at Lutherstadt Wittenburg in 1508. He received his doctorate in theology from this university in 1512. After his graduation, he carried on to serve as a professor of bible studies. This place in known as the "Birthplace of the Reformation" because of the important roles that Luther played there. (visit-luther.com)

Ponce de Leon explores Florida for Spain

1513

Ponce de Leon served as governor of the east province of Hispaniola when he decided to explore an island which became Puerto Rico. In search of the fountain of youth, he came across the coast of what is now Florida in 1513. He thought he was the first to find this coast so he returned in hopes of colonizing the land, but after his arrival, local Indians attacked his party of settlers. His comrades sailed him to Cuba, where he died. (history.com)

Nails 95 Theses on chapel door

Oct 31, 1517

Luther was attached to the idea that salvation could be reached only through faith and divine grace. Because of this powerful belief, he wrote, "The 95 Theses," a list of questions and propositions for debate. On October 31, 1517, Martin nailed a copy of the theses to the door of the Wittenberg castle church. The 95 Theses would later become the foundation of the Protestant Reformation. (history.com) (biography.com)

Charged with heresy

1518

After traveling to Rome, Martin Luther was charged with heresy in 1518. He attempted to defend himself in Augsburg with arguments sourced from the Bible instead of the church doctrine. Luther was forced to flee from Rome and retuned to Lutherstdat Wittenberg under the watch of Frederick the wise. (visit-luther.com)

Cortes conquers Mexico

1521

Spanish conquistador, Hernando Cortes was best known for conquering the Aztec empire and claiming Mexico for Spain in 1521. Despite his help in the colonization of Cuba and becoming the governor of New Spain, Cortes was a controversial figure. In Mexico, he treated the natives poorly and enslaved much of the population. On the other hand, he was influential in reshaping the world and building the capital city of Mexico, still known today as Mexico City. (livescience.com)

Excommunicated

Jan 3, 1521

Because of Martin's 95 theses which condemned the Catholic Church, religious reformers all across Europe were getting set off. In January, 1521, Pope Leo X decided to excommunicate him. A few months later, Luther was contacted to defend his beliefs before the Holy Roman Emperor and when he refused to recant his writings, the Emperor declared him a heretic. (history.com)

Marriage to Katharina Von Bora

Jun 13, 1525

On June 13, 1525, he married Katherine of Bora, a former nun. She fled her convent together with eight other nuns and stayed in the house of the Wittenberg secretary. Other nuns returned to their families or got married while Katherine stayed with no support. Martin was the only remaining resident in the Augustinian monastery in Wittenberg and he decided to marry Katherine. She ended up being a skillful wife and the couple had five children together. (britannica.com)

Articles of Faith presented

1537

Luther was asked to prepare a statement of his beliefs for use at a church council in 1537. He wrote the Articles of Faith (Smalcald Articles), which outlined what Luther thought to be the most important teaching in Christianity. This was the idea that salvation comes through faith in Christ rather than through good works. This idea was different from traditional Roman Catholic teaching which said that a person must earn salvation and could even purchase it with indulgences. (biography.com)

Date of death

Feb 18, 1546

Martin Luther impacted 16th-century Europe and forever changed Christianity by beginning the Protestant Reformation. As his time of death grew closer, he began to feel suffrage from many illnesses. On February 18, 1546 at the age of 62, Luther died during a trip to his hometown, Eisleben. (elton 4)