-
The Jehovah's Witnesses movement was founded in 1872 by Charles Taze Russel. Starting as a small bible study group living near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania their main purpose was to find what the bible really teaches.
-
In 1879 Russel began publishing the Watchtower magazine, one of the main ways in which the findings and beliefs of the movement are disseminated.
-
The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society was founded in 1881 for the purpose of distributing Jehovah's Witnesses' literature such as bibles.
-
Overseas branches were opened in London (1900), Germany (1903), and Australia and Switzerland (1904)
-
Charles Russel died in Pampa, Texas during a cross country preaching trip
-
Joseph Franklin Rutherford was elected as Russel's successor in 1917
-
Following the release of a book named The Finished Mystery in 1917, Rutherford and seven other Watch Tower directors were arrested on charges of sedition.
-
After being released from prison, Rutherford began publishing The Golden Age magazine in which the Watch Tower began distributing publicly.
-
Rutherford had a luxury villa built in San Diego, California for the biblical princes who were expected to be resurrected before armageddon.
-
Rutherford proposed the name change in reference to Isaiah 43:10.
-
Rutherford died at Beth Sarim due to carcinoma
-
Nathan Homer Knorr was elected to succeed Rutherford
-
The term "Governing Body" began to be used commonly with terms linked to the Watch Tower Society's board of directors.
-
The Jehovah's Witnesses movement reorganizes giving the power of presidency to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses.