protestantism By samcarberry 1509 French-swiss reformer John Calvin born 1513 John Knox, reformer in scottland, born 1517 Martin Luther posts theses that stimulate reform of the church; symbolic beginning of the continental reformation 1529 the label "Protestant"invented at the Diet of Speyer in Germany 1559 puritans seek to reform Anglican Church in England 1607 first English settlement with Anglican Church in Virginia 1620 pilgrims settle Plymouth colony in Massachusetts 1622 native Americans react and colonial tensions grow 1630 puritans establish Massachusetts bay colony 1654 jews arrive from Brazil after exile within Europe 1726 first great awakening in colonies Period: 1776 to 1789 independence, formation of U.S. with a constitution that mentions God. "fathers" were mostly protestant 1784 methodists, reformers within anglicanism, organize in Baltimore 1801 cane ridge revival in kentucky kicks off second great awakening 1844 methodists split over slavery, as do many denominations, southern and American baptists still haven't reunited Period: 1870 to 1900 great age of protestant missionary work 1906 pentecostal beginnings 1908 federal council of churches created to promote ecumenism 1910 prime years of "the social gospel" Period: 1942 to 1943 fundamentalists and evangelicals organize 1948 world council of churches involves American churches 1951 federal council of churches, largely protestant 1956 protestants participate in civil rights movement 1970 evangelical protestants emerge as a political force 2008 protestants no longer a majority group; down to roughly 50 percent of all Americans