Born at Eisleben, Germany on 10th November
(Image: Luther's Birth House)
Parents, Hans and Margaretha Luder, move the family to Mansfield, Germany, where Hans works in the copper mines.
(Image: Hans and Margaretha Luder)
Martin attends school in Mansfield, Germany.
Martin attends school in Magdeburg, Germany.
Martin attends school in Eisenach, Germany.
Martin then enters University of Erfurt.
(Image: University of Erfurt)
He received a BA degree at Erfurt.
He receives a MA degree at Erfurt and begins studies in Law. During a thunderstorm on 2nd July a bolt of lightning nearly strikes him, causing him to vow to become a monk. Martin then enters the order of Augustinian Hermits.
(Image: Martin Luther as a Monk)
Martin is ordained and celebrates his first mass.
He becomes a bachelor of the Bible.
Martin Luther visits Rome.
He is transferred to the Augustinian house at Wittenberg, Germany.
(Image: Augustinian House)
At Wittenberg, he becomes a Doctor of Theology.
Martin Luther starts to lecture on the Psalms.
He lectures on Romans and is appointed Vicar over 10 Monasteries.
Martin begins lecturing on Hebrews. On 31st October, he posts 95 Theses on the use of Indulgences.
At a meeting of Augustinians in Heidelberg, Germany, he defends his theogoly. In October, Martin appears before Cardinal Cajetan at Augsburg. Frederick the Wise protects Luther from being handed over to Rome.
Luther understands the 'righteousness of God' as 'passive righteousness with which God justifies us by faith'. In July, he debates with Professor John Eck at Leipzig and denies the supreme authority of popes and councils.
Papal bull Exsurge Domine gives Luther 60 days to recant or be excommunicated. As a result, Luther writes 3 seminal documents: 'To the Christian nobility', 'On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church' and 'The Freedom of a Christian'. He burns the papal bull and canon law. Martin Luther is then excommunicated by the papal bull Decet Romananum pontificem. At the Diet of Worms in April, he refuses to recant writings, and Edicts condemns him in May as a heretic and outlaw. He is 'kidnapped' and hidden at Wartburg Castle and begins translating the New Testament.
(Image: Wartburg Castle)
Luther writes on Temporal Authority.
He debates with Karlstadt on the Lord's Supper. Luther's former superior, Staupitz, dies.
Martin Luther writes against the heavenly Prophets. He also writes against robbing and murdering Hordes, critising the Peasants' Revolt. Martin marries Katherine von Bora. He writes 'Bondage of the Will' against Erasmus.
(Image: Katherine von Bora)
He writes a German Mass. Martin and Katherine become parents on the 7th June to son Hans.
Martin fights sickness and intense depression. He writes "A Mighty Fortress", and his daughter Elizabeth is born on 10th December.
(Image: A Mighty Fortress with Luther's signature)
Luther writes the "Great Confession Concerning Christ's Supper". He greives over Elizabeth who dies on 3rd August.
Martin attends Marburg Colloquy with Zwingli, but no agreement is reached on the Lord's Supper. He publishes a Large Catechism and Small Catechism. Their daughter Magdalena is born on 4th May.
Luther's father Hans dies. Luther, as an outlaw, cannot attend the Diet of Augsburg, which was held in an attempt to end the religious division in the empire. Melanchton presents the Augsburg Confession which is a statement of Lutheran beliefs.
(Image: Coburg Castle where the Diet of Augsburg was held)
Martin Luther begins lecturing on Galatians. Their son Martin is born and Martin's mother dies.
Their son Paul is born on 28th January
Martin Luther publishes the German Bible. Their daughter Margaret is born on 17th December.
(Image: The German Bible)
He agrees to the Wittenberg Concord on the Lord's Supper in an attempt to resolve differences with other reformers, but Zwinglians do not accept it.
(Image: Huldrych Zwingli)
Luther draws up Schmalkaldic Articles as his 'theological last will and testament'.
Martin Luther writes against the Jews in 'Against the Sabbatarians".
He writes 'On the Councils and the Church'.
Luther writes the 'Admonition to Prayer' against the Turks.
(Image: Luther's Study at Wittenberg)
Martin Luther drafts his will. His daughter Magdalena dies after a prolonged illness on 20th September.
Luther writes on the Jews and their Lies.
He writes against Schwenckfeld's interpretation of the Lord's Supper
Martin writes 'Against the Papacy at Rome; an Institution of the Devil'.
Martin Luther dies in Eisleben on 18th February.
Katherine von Bora dies on 20th December.