1512day.year
Martin Luther joins the theological faculty of the University of Wittenberg.
In 1512, Martin Luther joined the theological faculty at the University of Wittenberg, launching his career as a leading church scholar. This appointment allowed him to teach and lecture on biblical texts, laying the foundation for the Reformation.
After earning his Doctor of Theology degree, Martin Luther was appointed to the theological faculty at the University of Wittenberg in October 1512. As a professor, Luther delivered lectures on biblical books such as the Psalms and the Epistle to the Romans. His scholarly approach combined rigorous study of ancient texts with a deep personal faith. Wittenberg became a vibrant center for theological debate and attracted students from across Europe. Luther’s work there prepared him for his later challenges to Church practices and doctrines. His lectures on justification by faith alone would soon spark the Protestant Reformation, reshaping Western Christianity. The university’s support gave Luther the academic credibility needed to publish his 95 Theses in 1517.
1512
Martin Luther
University of Wittenberg
1774day.year
The flag of Taunton, Massachusetts is the first to include the word "Liberty".
In 1774, citizens of Taunton, Massachusetts, raised the first known flag emblazoned with the word 'Liberty'. This emblem became a powerful symbol of colonial resistance leading up to the American Revolution.
Amid mounting tensions with British authorities, Taunton townsfolk unveiled a unique banner on October 21, 1774, bearing the inscription 'Liberty'. Historians regard this as the earliest documented flag in North America to feature the rallying cry. The design reflected the colonists’ growing defiance over taxation without representation. As news spread, the 'Liberty' motif inspired other communities to adopt similar flags and symbols. Printers like Isaiah Thomas later popularized the device through pamphlets and newspapers. By the time of the Revolution, the word 'Liberty' had become synonymous with American identity and the fight for independence. Taunton’s emblem thus stands as a precursor to the stars and stripes that would follow.
1774
flag of Taunton, Massachusetts
1945day.year
In the 1945 French legislative election French women vote for the first time.
French women participate in national elections for the first time in 1945.
On October 21, 1945, French women cast their first ballots in the national legislative elections following a decree granting universal suffrage. The right to vote for women was approved by the French Provisional Government under Charles de Gaulle earlier that year. Millions of women took part in shaping post-war France, influencing the political landscape. The election resulted in a strong showing for left-leaning parties, including the French Communist Party and the Popular Republican Movement. This milestone represented a major advance in gender equality and democratic representation in France. Women’s participation in the ballot set a precedent for future European democracies.
1945
1945 French legislative election
1967day.year
The National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam organizes a march of fifty thousand people from the Lincoln Memorial to the Pentagon.
Fifty thousand people marched from the Lincoln Memorial to the Pentagon to protest the Vietnam War.
On October 21, 1967, the National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam organized a massive march of 50,000 demonstrators in Washington, D.C.
Participants carried banners and chanted slogans as they moved from the Lincoln Memorial toward the Pentagon.
The protest highlighted growing domestic opposition to American involvement in Vietnam.
Speakers at rally sites criticized government policies and called for an immediate ceasefire.
The march set a precedent for large-scale anti-war demonstrations in the late 1960s.
It underscored the power of grassroots activism in shaping public discourse on foreign policy.
1967
National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam