Martin Luther died on 18 February 1546 in Eisleben, aged 62. A German priest, monk and theologian, Luther taught at the University of Wittenberg and became troubled by the Church's sale of indulgences. In 1517 he is traditionally said to have posted his Ninety-five Theses, which began a public controversy that grew into the Protestant Reformation. He was excommunicated and, at the Diet of Worms in 1521, refused to retract his writings. Protected by the Elector of Saxony, he translated the Bible into German, which helped to shape the written language, and wrote hymns and catechisms. The Lutheran churches take their name from him, and his ideas on faith and authority changed European religion and politics.
Before and after
- 1543Vesalius publishes De humani corporis fabrica
- 24 May 1543Death of Nicolaus Copernicus
- from 1545 to 1648Counter-Reformation
- from 13 December 1545 to 21 February 1563Council of Trent
- 18 February 1546Death of Martin Luther
- from 10 July 1546 to 23 May 1547Schmalkaldic War
- 14 December 1546Birth of Tycho Brahe
- from 1547 to 1721Tsardom of Russia
- 28 January 1547Death of Henry VIII of England
More in Art, literature & culture
- c. 1500sMona Lisa
- from 31 October 1517 to 1 January 1648Protestant Reformation
- 31 October 1517Origins of Lutheranism
- 10 November 1517Origins of Protestantism
- 1565Construction of Agra Fort
- from 17th century to 19th centuryAge of Enlightenment
The era
This moment belongs to the Early modern world (1500 CE to 1760 CE), voyages, printing and new ideas. You can also browse everything in the 16th century.