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Born in Eisleben, Saxony, Germany
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1501 - Aged 19, entered the University of Erfurt
1505 - Achieved his master's degree -
During a thunderstorm, he was knocked to the ground by lightning and yelled, "If you help me now, St Anne, I will become a monk."
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Left his law school, sold all his books and entered a closed Augustinian firary in Erfurt.
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Went with great enthusiasm, but was very disappointed with the lifestyle of the pope and clergy
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Lectured on the Bible at the university of Wittenberg
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Wrote the 95 Theses and nailed them on the church door at Wittenberg. Confronted Johann Tetzel with them.
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Held for 18 days between Luther and John Eck (supporting the Church). Luther declared he was a heretic, yet still would not recant.
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Pope Leo X demands that Luther recant within 2 months or be excommunicated. Luther burned the bull after the deadline since they (the Church) burned his books.
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Was asked by the counselor if the 95 Theses were his works and whether he would recant. Agreed that they were his works, but still did not recant. Later declared a heretic.
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"Kidnapped" by the ruler of Saxony (Fredrick the Wise) and was hidden safely in the Wartburg Castle for 9 months. During this time, he translated the Bible into German.
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1522: Published the Old Testament in German
1534: Published the New Testament and the whole Bible in German -
Helped 12 nuns, including Katharina von Bora, escape from the Nimbschen Cistercian convent - arranged for them to be smuggled out in herring barrels.
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Peasants asked Luther for support against the wealthy princes, but Luther instead advised the princes to crush the rebellions. Over 100 000 rebels were executed.
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Lutheranism was established since Luther's condemnation of the rebels had made his beliefs popular with the princes of Germany. This then made Germany split into Protestants and Catholics.
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Martin (aged 41) and Katharina (aged 26) are married.
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Hans is born.
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Elizabeth is born, however she died in a few months.
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Magdalene is born, however, she died in Luther's arms in 1542.
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Lutheran leaders stating their beliefs. Unfortunately, Luther was excommunicated so he could not attend - his friend Philipp Melanchthon (professor of Greek) prepared a summary of Luther's ideas - the basis of Lutheranism.
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Martin is born.
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Paul is born.
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Magaret is born.
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Suffered from illness and dies in Eisleben, Saxony (birthplace)
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Charles V - holy Roman emperor - allowed the German princes to choose whether their states should be Lutheran or Catholic (no other form of Protestantism was allowed)
