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570
Muhammad Born in Mecca
Although few details about the Prophet's childhood were recorded, scholars know that Muhammad was born in Mecca. His father died before he was born, and his mother died after he reached the age of six. Muhammad went to live with his paternal grandfather, who put him in the care of a nomadic tribe, as was the custom for young boys at the time. -
Dec 1, 605
Chinese Canal Constructed
China's Sui dynasty emperor Yangdi orders construction of a canal that will link existing waterways to the new Chinese capital, established last year at Luoyang. Built by a million laborers, the canal will be extended to Hangzhou by 610. -
Nov 30, 610
Muhammad Has First Revelation
When Muhammad was about 40 years old, he claimed to have been visited by an angel, Gabriel. The angel asked him to recite, but Muhammad did not understand the significance of the command. Gabriel repeated his request two more times, then declared Muhammad a messenger of God. Muhammad accepted his role and continued to receive revelations and transmit them to his followers until his death. -
Dec 1, 613
The Prophet Preaches
In 613 Muhammad began to preach publicly. His early messages focused on the oneness of God, the terrors that await the proud or the greedy on the Day of Judgment, and the idea that people should exercise goodwill toward one another. He placed special emphasis on the practice of caring for the poor, especially orphans and widows. -
Dec 1, 615
Persians Take the "True Cross"
In 615, Jerusalem was sacked by the Persians, who take the "True Cross". The True Cross is the name for physical remnants which, by a Christian tradition, are believed to be from the cross upon which Jesus was crucified. -
Dec 1, 622
Invitation from Medina
In 622 Muhammad accepted an invitation from feuding clans in Medina, a city north of Mecca whose citizens had heard of his reputation as a just arbiter*. News of the Prophet's journey spread to Medina by way of traders, and when Muhammad arrived, 75 people met him to profess their allegiance. -
Dec 1, 622
Year One of Islamic Calendar
The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 lunar months in a year of 354 or 355 days. It is used to date events in many Muslim countries and used by Muslims everywhere to determine the proper day on which to celebrate Islamic holy days and festivals -
Dec 1, 624
The Prophet Prevails
The Meccans and the Muslims fought a major battle in 624 at Badr, where Muhammad's troops had intercepted a caravan led by the powerful leader Abu Sufyan. The Meccans sent a force three times as large as Muhammad's. Against all expectations, the Prophet's army prevailed, causing many to believe it had been divinely protected. Large numbers of Arabs converted to Islam, and Bedouin* tribes began to show greater interest in the religion. -
Dec 1, 627
End of Roman-Persian Wars
In 627, Emperor Heraclius defeated the Persians, ending the Roman-Persian Wars. He drove the Persians out of Asia Minor and pushed deep into their territory, defeating them decisively at the Battle of Nineveh. -
Dec 1, 630
Muhammad Conquers Mecca
In 630 Muhammad and his forces took control of Mecca without a fight. The Prophet quelled uprisings from neighboring clans, destroyed idols in the Kaaba and other shrines, and demanded that rich Meccans grant loans to his poorest followers. Muhammad established himself as ruler of the region and settled in Medina with his wives and children. -
Dec 1, 632
Muhammad's Final Pilgrimage to Mecca
In 632 he embarked on his last pilgrimage to Mecca, called the Farewell Pilgrimage by his followers. On the return trip, he contracted a fatal illness. Knowing that he would not survive, he retired to the apartment of his youngest and favorite wife, A'ishah, who tended him throughout his illness. Muhammad died in June at the age of 60. -
Sui Dynasty Reunites China
After nearly four centuries of internal divisions and strife, China was reunited under the leadership of Yang Jian. A member of a respected aristocratic family, Yang Jian founded the Sui Dynasty. Yang Jian used Buddhism to help unite the kingdom. -
Visigoths Adopt Catholicism
In January 587, Reccared renounced Arianism for Catholicism, the single great event of his reign and the turning point for Visigothic Hispania. Most Arian nobles and ecclesiastics followed his example, but there were Arian uprisings. -
Gregory Succeeds Pelagius
Gregory the Great succeeded Pope Pelagius II as the 64th pope. Pope Gregory I was pope from 590 until his death. Gregory is well known for his writings, which were more prolific than those of any of his predecessors as pope. -
"God Bless You!" is Established
In , an outbreak of the bubonic plague was reaching Rome. In hopes of fighting off the disease, Pope Gregory I ordered unending prayer and parades of chanters through the streets. At the time, sneezing was thought to be an early symptom of the plague. The blessing "God bless you!" became a common effort to halt the disease -
Muhammad's Visits Mecca: Long Awaited Truce
In 628 Muhammad was inspired to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. Muhammad and his followers traveled almost 300 miles. They camped outside of town, where Meccan leaders rode to greet them. Muhammad and the Meccans agreed to a ten-year truce if he would wait until the following year to enter Mecca. Muhammad traveled back to Medina with his followers.
