Martin Luther Timeline

  • 1483

    Birth of Martin Luther

    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.
  • 1502

    Schooling

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

    Joined Monastic Order

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

    Doctor of Theology

    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.
  • 1513

    Scriptures

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

    95 Theses

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

    Lectures

    Lectures
    Martin Luther lectured on Hebrews and Galatians.
  • 1519

    Series of Writings

    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.
  • 1520

    Pope's Threat of Excommunication

    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.
  • 1520

    How Martin Luther Spread his Ideas

    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.
  • 1521

    Excommunication

    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.
  • 1521

    Edict of Worms

    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.
  • 1522

    Luhteranism

    Luhteranism
    Martin Luther returned and organized his own church, Lutheranism.