AP Euro Luther Timeline

By gracecole
  • 1483

    Luther is born

    Luther is born
    Martin Luther was born in Mansfield, in the Holy Roman Empire to unemotional parents and father who wished him to become a lawyer.
  • 1502

    University

    University
    Luther entered the University of Erfurt, which he described as a whorehouse and beerhouse.
  • 1505

    Lightning bolt

    Lightning bolt
    While returning home, lightning strikes near Luther during a thunderstorm. This near death experience is what led Luther to become a monk.
  • 1512

    Awarded Doctor of Theology

    Awarded Doctor of Theology
    Luther is awarded his Doctor of Theology and became part of theological faculty at the University of Wittenberg.
  • 1513

    Chair of Theology

    Chair of Theology
    1513 - 1516 Luther becomes the Chair of Theology at the University of Wittenberg, and in 1515 was made the provincial vicar of Saxony and Thuringia.
  • 1517

    Posting of the 95 Theses

    Posting of the 95 Theses
    Luther wrote a letter to his bishop in which he protested against the sale of Indulgences by the Catholic Church. He posted his letter on the Church door and these soon became known as the 95 Theses.
  • 1517

    Printing of the 95 Theses

    Printing of the 95 Theses
    Luther's 95 Theses were published in several places in Germany in that same year
  • 1519

    Spread of the 95 Theses

    Spread of the 95 Theses
    Luther's 95 Theses became widely known and spread to France, Italy, and England as early as 1519
  • 1520

    Further Publications

    Further Publications
    Luther published three other works: To The Christian Nobility of the German Nation, On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church, and On the Freedom of a Christian
  • 1520

    Threat of Excommunication

    Threat of Excommunication
    Luther was threatened with excommunication unless he recanted his statements within 60 days. Luther did no such things, and, in fact, only deepened his stance on the Church's corruption.
  • 1521

    Luther's Excommunication

    Luther's Excommunication
    Luther was officially excommunicated from the Catholic Church by Pope Leo X
  • 1521

    Edict of Worms

    Edict of Worms
    The Edict of Worms declared Luther an outlaw, banned his writings, and wanted Luther arrested. It made it illegal for anyone to give food or shelter to Luther, and it was legal for anyone to kill him.
  • 1522

    Invocavit Sermons

    Invocavit Sermons
    Luther returned to Wittenberg where he delivered 8 sermons over 8 days beginning on Invocavit Sunday during Lent. He preached core Christian values.