Martin Luther Timeline

  • Birth of Martin Luther
    1483

    Birth of Martin Luther

    Martin Luther was born on November 10th, 1483. He was born in Germany and was raised by Hans and Margarethe Luther.
  • Schooling
    1502

    Schooling

    Martin Luther received his Bachelor's degree from University of Erfurt. He went to school for liberal arts.
  • Joined Monastic Order
    1505

    Joined Monastic Order

    After the thunderstorm, Martin Luther decides to join the monastery. This leads to him abandoning the study of law.
  • Doctor of Theology
    1512

    Doctor of Theology

    Martin Luther was awarded his Doctor of Theology, and was received into the Senate of the theological faculty of the University of Wittenberg.
  • Scriptures
    1513

    Scriptures

    While studying various scriptures, Martin Luther gained religious enlightenment by understanding that fear of God was unnecessary.
  • 95 Theses
    1517

    95 Theses

    Martin Luther approaches the Castle Church and nails the 95 Theses on the door. This article challenged the church's teachings.
  • Lectures
    1517

    Lectures

    Martin Luther lectured on Hebrews and Galatians.
  • Series of Writings
    1519

    Series of Writings

    Martin Luther wrote various pamphlets that helped to develop his ideas. Because of the printing press, these writings were easily spread among Europe.
  • Pope's Threat of Excommunication
    1520

    Pope's Threat of Excommunication

    Martin Luther had to burn his letters under the Pope's orders. This threat was forced in order to prevent these ideas from spreading.
  • How Martin Luther Spread his Ideas
    1520

    How Martin Luther Spread his Ideas

    During this time period, Martin Luther continued to print and spread these pamphlets. He also lectured in the Psalms.
  • Excommunication
    1521

    Excommunication

    Martin Luther was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church by order of the Pope. Even though he burned his letters, he was still forced to leave.
  • Edict of Worms
    1521

    Edict of Worms

    The council released the Edict of Worms, which banned Luther's writings. He was also considered a wanted man, which forced him to go into hiding.
  • Luhteranism
    1522

    Luhteranism

    Martin Luther returned and organized his own church, Lutheranism.