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1483
Martin Luther Born
On November 10th, 1483, Martin Luther was born in modern-day Germany. -
1502
University of Erfurt
Martin Luther goes away to study at the University of Erfurt, a very religious city in Germany. He received a master's degree, and later a bachelor's degree. -
1505
Becomes a monk
Martin Luther is in a near-death experience, in which he promised to devote his life to God and become a monk if he is saved. He studies in Erfurt and joins the Augustian Order -
1512
Doctor of Theology
Martin Luther is awarded his Doctor of Theology while studying in Wittenberg. -
Period: 1513 to 1516
Corruption of the Church
Martin Luther spends this time with the Catholic church. Throughout studying with it, he learns of the sale of indulgences and how corrupted the church really is. He is disgusted by this unholiness and begins to grow disdain for the Catholic church. -
1517
95 Thesis
On October 31st of 1517, Martin Luther wrote his 95 Thesis on his criticisms of the church, especially the selling of indulgences. He goes to nail this on Witternbergs Church. -
1517
Spreading of the 95 Thesis
Not too many years earlier, Gutenberg had perfected the printing press. Thanks to this invention, Martin Luther's 95 Thesis spread across the whole of Europe like a wildfire. -
1519
Leipzig Disputation
Taking place in Pleissenberg Castle in Germany, this event was lead by Pope Leo X. This was a debate held between the Pope and Luther regarding the Catholic church where Luther was threatened to being censored and excommunicated. -
1520
Excommunication
Martin Luther is excommunicated by the Catholic church for "heresy." Excommunication is when one is "officially" banned from Heaven in the Christian faith. Luther does not mind, as he does not have faith in the Catholic church. -
1520
More critisism
In 1520, Martin Luther wrote more criticisms of the Catholic church, including "on Christian Liberty," and "On the Freedom to a Christian Man." Like his 95 Thesis, these other writings spread across Europe. -
1521
Diet of Worms
As Luthers' 95 Thesis began to become banned, he was ordered before the Diet of Worms. This was a general assembly of Holy Roman Empire nations that took place in the city of worms. During this assembly, Martin Luther is listed as an outlaw. -
1521
Edict of Worms
Emperor Charles V enacts the Edict of Worms, which listed Martin Luther as an outlaw and banned his 95 Thesis and other writings -
1522
Returning
After being banned by the state in 1521, Martin Luther returns the next year to Wittenberg in 1522. He continues to preach against the Catholic church and its unholiness.