# Brief History of the Baha'i Faith

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-20 — 1 clipping.*

---

> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Boise, Idaho, Brief History of the Baha'i Faith, bahai-library.com.
> ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
> 
> Brief History of the Bahá'í Faith
> 
> Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Boise, Idaho, compiler
> 
> 1996-11-25
> 
> Bahá'í History can be divided into seven periods thus far. The first
> three periods form the Apostolic or Heroic Age. The first
> epoch centres around the youthful and gentle Bab [meaning the Gate,
> also known as the Forerunner of the Ancient Beauty], Whose brief
> tumultuous Ministry prepared the way for the long-awaited coming of the
> promised Messenger of God. The second epoch is
> centered about the majestic, powerful and awe-inspiring figure of
> Bahá'u'lláh [meaning the Glory of God, also known by the titles: The
> Blessed Perfection, The Ancient Beauty], the Promised One of all
> religions. Having given up a life of extreme wealth and ease, He promoted
> the Message of the Bab, only later to learn that He Himself was the
> Promised One foretold by the Bab and by the religions of the past.
> Enduring 40 years of exiles and imprisonments, and under nearly impossible circumstances,
> surrounded by enemies and their plots, lies and intrigues, He revealed
> God's Message for this Day. The third epoch revolves
> around the ministry of 'Abdu'l-Bahá [meaning servant of the Glory, i.e. of
> the Glory of God] and eldest son of Bahá'u'lláh. Sharing His Father's
> exiles and imprisonments, 'Abdu'l-Bahá became the perfect example of His
> Father's Teachings and today is known as the Exemplar and Interpreter of
> the
> 
> Bahá'í Faith, The Most Great Branch, The Master, and The Center of
> Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant.
> 
> The last four periods comprise the
> Formative Age. The first epoch of the Formative Age
> "witnessed the birth and the primary stages in the erection of the framework of the Administrative Order of the Faith".
> "That epoch was characterized by a twofold process aiming at the
> consolidation of the administrative structure of the Faith and the
> extension of the range of its institutions." --Citadel of Faith, p.
> 5. The second epoch extended that twofold
> process, extending the range of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Divine Plan and culminating
> with the election of the Universal House of Justice. The third epoch, characterized by rapid growth, concluded with the beginning of the
> Faith's emergence from obscurity into the larger arena of public notice,
> fueled in no small part by the persecution of the Bahá'í's in the land of
> It's birth. The fourth (and present) epoch began with the increased maturation of the
> administrative institutions from the local spiritual assemblies up to and
> including the Universal House of Justice which is now engaged in a vast
> expansion of the World Center. This
> 
> epoch will also witness the complete emergence of the Faith from
> obscurity and vastly greater involvement in the social and economic
> development of the world.
> 
> This brief guide provides a
> chronological view of the more significant events in the history of the
> religion. The chronology has been pieced together from a broad array of
> historical sources which will one day be listed at the end. Shoghi
> Effendi's system of transliteration is used throughout to most accurately
> display Persian and Arabic names. HTML does not permit full accuracy in
> this regard, as it does not support all the necessary characters. Here is
> a brief pronunciation guide to assist the reader: Bahá'u'lláh is
> pronounced: Ba (as in back) - haw - o (as in short) - law. Wherever you
> see a, think a as in arm. ' indicates a pause. Mirza is pronounced:
> Meerzaw. Whenever you see i, think ee as in meet. Bahá'í would therefore
> be Ba - haw - (brief pause) - ee; in this context the i means of, as in
> follower of. Quddus is pronounced:
> 
> Khodoos. Whenever you see u think oo as in moon. Don't worry too much
> about the Q - it is a guttural sound that doesn't come naturally to
> Anglophones . Unless you have heard Arabic or Persian, just treat it like
> a K.
> First Epoch of the Heroic Age:
> 1844-1853:
> The Ministry of the Bab, the Forerunner
> 
> 12 Nov 1817 Birth of Bahá'u'lláh [Mirza
> Husayn-'Ali] in Tihran, to one of the wealthiest families in
> Persia. Bahá'u'lláh, never having attended school, is taught
> calligraphy, riding, classical poetry and a good reading knowledge of the
> Qur'an which was customary for a nobleman's son at that time.
> 
> 20 Oct 1819 Birth of the Bab [Siyyid 'Ali-Muhammad] in
> Shiraz, Persia
> 
> pre-1844 Bahá'u'lláh becomes known
> as "The Father of the Poor" for His generosity and care of the needy. His
> father dies in 1839. Bahá'u'lláh was asked to take His father's
> place in the government but Bahá'u'lláh refuses the position.
> 
> 22 May 1844 Declaration of the mission of the Bab in
> Shiraz to Mulla Husayn at 2 hours, 11 minutes after
> sunset (technically, 23 May - new day begins after sunset).
> 
> 23 May 1844 Birth of 'Abdu'l-Bahá ['Abbas Effendi], eldest
> son of Bahá'u'lláh
> 
> soon after: The Bab instructed Mulla
> Husayn to journey through Persia and Iraq and deliver a scroll to One Who
> is worthy. The reputation of Bahá'u'lláh convinces him that
> He is the intended recipient. Bahá'u'lláh reads the scroll
> and immediately becomes a follower of the Bab.
> 
> 12 Dec 1844 The Bab, accompanied by His foremost disciple
> Quddus, undertakes a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina where He performs
> His first public declaration of His divine mission.
> 
> Mar 1845 The Bab returns to Shiraz.
> His
> 
> Teachings cause commotion among the populace, especially the clergy.
> soon after: The Shah commands the erudite Vahid
> to investigate the Bab's claims. Vahid becomes a leading disciple.
> Hujjat, another dignitary of the realm, also becomes a leading
> 
> disciple.
> The anxiety among the clergy increases.
> 
> Sep 1846 The Bab journeys to Isfahan, accorded
> honours by the people. Death warrant issued by the local high clergy. The
> Bab journeys to Kashan and Tabriz, receives enthusiastic reception
> by the people.
> 
> 23 Sep 1846 The Bab is arrested in Shiraz at the
> house of His uncle. The Shah, prompted by his top advisor,
> Haji Mirza Aqasi, has the Bab
> incarcerated at the fortress of Mah-ku in the mountains of Adhirbayjan
> for nine months. The local populace, at first hostile, comes
> to revere Him. The Bab reveals one of His great works, the Bayan.
> 
> 1 Apr 1847 Bahá'u'lláh sends a letter and gifts to the
> Bab in Mah-ku.
> 
> 20 Mar 1848 Mulla Husayn arrives at Mah-ku to see the
> Bab.
> 
> 10 April 1848 Due to the great influence He was having with the people
> of the area, the Bab is transferred to prison in Chirig, a
> Kurdish area hostile to Persians. Here too many leading citizens become
> followers. The Bab is arraigned in Tabriz where He
> 
> makes a
> dramatic public declaration of His Station. He is returned to Chirig.
> 
> Jun 1848 Conference of Badasht. Organized, directed and hosted by
> Bahá'u'lláh and attended by 81 of the Bab's
> leading followers, the Babi Faith for the first time becomes
> understood by It's followers as a religion distinct from Islam.
> Bahá'u'lláh bestows a new name upon each participant and with
> no contact, the Bab later confirms and uses those same names [note:
> the new names are the ones being used in this account]. Tahirih [the
> pure] pronounces the equality of women and publicly removes her veil.
> Bahá'u'lláh reconciles the participants following this great
> controversy, facilitating their understanding of this new religion.
> 
> 21 Jul 1848 Mulla Husayn hoists the Black Standard and marches
> from Mashad with 202 fellow disciples to assist Quddus in Mazindaran.
> 
> 4 Sep 1848 Muhammad Shah, intending to order death of
> Bahá'u'lláh, dies, succeeded by 17-year old Nasiri'd-Din Shah. Haji Mirza
> Aqasi, chief
> 
> antagonist of the Bab [the Antichrist of
> the Babi Faith], is expelled from the capital.
> 
> 10 Oct 1848 Mulla Husayn and the 202 fellow disciples are besieged
> at Shaykh Tabarsi, eventually surrounded by twenty thousand soldiers.
> 
> Nov 1848 Quddus arrives at Fort Tabarsi after Mulla
> Husayn secured his release from Sari.
> 
> Dec 1848 Bahá'u'lláh imprisoned and tortured
> in Amul.
> 10 May 1849 The siege at Shaykh Tabarsi ends in betrayal when
> a promise of "no harm", signed on a Qur'an, is broken. The
> Babis are tortured, mutilated and massacred.
> 
> 16 May 1849 Martyrdom of Quddus in Barfurush.
> 
> soon after: A force of 5000 men begin extermination
> of Babis, confiscating possessions, destroying houses, grizzly
> tortures, mutilations and executions - all inspired by religious
> fanaticism
> inflamed by the clergy. 1800 Babis martyred in Zanjan
> including men, women and children. Hujjat is martyred. The famous Seven
> Martyrs
> of Tihran are martyred.
> 29 June 1850 Vahid is mutilated and killed in Nayriz.
> 
> 9 Jul 1850 Attempted execution of the Bab in Tabriz
> by a firing squad of 750 soldiers in front of 20,000 witnesses fails. The
> Bab vanishes in the smoke and is found later completing His final
> instructions to His amanuensis. The leader of the first firing squad
> refuses
> to try again. A second attempt is made using a new leader at noon, this
> time
> successfully. A gale force wind, earthquake, cholera and famine
> immediately
> follow. One third of the firing squad later die in
> 
> an earthquake, the remainder
> are executed for mutiny. The bodies of the Bab and Anis are
> retrieved as directed by Bahá'u'lláh and ultimately interred
> at the Shrine of the Bab on the slope of Mt. Carmel, Israel.
> 30 Aug 1851 Bahá'u'lláh arrives in Karbila, Iraq
> - the start of a 10 month pilgrimage. Continues to spread the Bab's
> Teachings.
> 
> 15 Aug 1852 Two crazed Babis attempt to kill Nasiri'd-Din Shah. They are
> executed on the spot. Nationwide
> reign of terror sweeps Persia. Anyone suspected of being Babi
> are killed in unspeakably gruesome and inhumane manners. Many European
> diplomats
> witness and record the events. The nominee of the Bab, Mirza
> Yahya, half-brother of Bahá'u'lláh, flees [note: the
> Bab appointed him as His figurehead to deflect attention away from
> Bahá'u'lláh]. Upon hearing news of the assassination attempt,
> Bahá'u'lláh rides to the military post in Niyavaran. He is arrested and
> marched in chains, bare
> headed and bare footed to the Siyah-Chal of Tihran
> [literally
> 
> meaning the Black Pit, it was "an abominable pit that had once
> served as a reservoir of water for one of the public baths" of Tihran].
> Here He was surrounded by criminals with His feet in mighty stocks and
> neck
> weighed done by a mighty chain, a chain so infamous that it had it's own
> name. Tahirih is executed. Her last words: "You can kill me as soon as
> you
> like, but you cannot stop the emancipation of women". Bahá'u'lláh
> is now the sole survivor from among the leaders of the Babi
> Faith. No one would sign His death warrant out of fear that His execution
> would spark riots throughout Persia. Instead, it was hoped that he would
> die in this loathsome prison. This was not to be.
> Second Epoch of the Heroic Age:
> 1853-1892:
> The Ministry of Bahá'u'lláh
> 
> Aug - Nov 1852 In the Siyah-Chal,
> Bahá'u'lláh receives His Intimation that He is the Messenger
> of God for this Day. He leads the prisoners in song so loud that the Shah
> hears the singing from his palace. One by one, most of the other
> Babis chained with Him are executed. By now, an approximate
> total of 20,000 Babis had been martyred. Bahá'u'lláh
> is poisoned, but survives. Bahá'u'lláh's family and Russian
> Minister Prince Dolgorouki demonstrate the complete innocence of
> Bahá'u'lláh in the matter of the assassination attempt.
> Bahá'u'lláh is released after four months of imprisonment,
> carrying the deep marks of the chains throughout the remainder of His
> days.
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá
> 
> recognizes the full impact of the station of His Father.
> Bahá'u'lláh bestows upon His Son the designation "Mystery of
> God".
> 
> 12 Jan 1853 Bahá'u'lláh is banished, chooses Baghdad
> for His place of exile. His wealth is confiscated and properties
> pillaged.
> His youngest son is left behind with relatives because of the lack of
> provisions
> and the harsh winter travel.
> 
> 8 Apr 1853 Bahá'u'lláh arrives in Baghdad.
> Mirza Aqa Jan is the first to recognize Him as
> the Promised One. Bahá'u'lláh achieves great fame because of
> the love He shows the people and because of the great Writings He
> reveals.
> He is shown veneration by the populace. Mirza Yahya,
> prodded by Siyyid Muhammad [the Antichrist of the Bahá'í Faith], begins
> to discredit Bahá'u'lláh out of jealousy.
> 
> 10 Apr 1854 Bahá'u'lláh leaves for the mountains of
> Kurdistan (Sulaymaniyyih) so that He would not be a
> source of disunity among the Babis. Here he stays nearly two
> years in isolation, except for brief visits to a local town for
> 
> provisions.
> Villagers who have contact with Him spread word of Him and are magnetized
> with His love. Meanwhile, under Mirza Yahya's direction, the Babi
> community degenerates. Out of desperation, 25 men
> claimed to be the Promised One foretold by the Bab. 'Abdu'l-Bahá,
> heartbroken by His Father's absence, passes time by copying and
> memorizing
> the Bab's Writings.
> 
> 19 Mar 1856 Fame of a man in the mountains of Kurdistan, had
> reached Baghdad. Bahá'u'lláh's family realized this
> man is Bahá'u'lláh
> 
> and pleads for His return. He does return
> to Baghdad on this day and begins to rebuild the Babi
> community. The community grows in size and respect.
> 
> 1856 Bahá'u'lláh reveals The Seven
> Valleys. Later reveals The Four Valleys.
> 
> 1858 Bahá'u'lláh reveals the Hidden
> Words.
> 
> circa 1860 Bahá'u'lláh applies for Ottoman nationality - obtains
> Turkish passports. Bahá'u'lláh's attendant is convinced to
> murder Him as He bathed, but struck by awe in His presence and remorse,
> he
> flees. Later, the same man approaches Bahá'u'lláh with a pistol,
> but again, in His presence, drops the pistol and flees. Famous meeting
> occurs
> between Bahá'u'lláh and clergy of several different faiths,
> in which the clergy concedes Bahá'u'lláh's knowledge and wisdom.
> 
> They ask Him to perform a miracle as a final proof. Bahá'u'lláh
> agrees, but says they must all agree to one miracle (for the Cause of God
> is not a sideshow with hourly miracles) and put in writing that upon
> completion of the miracle, they must confess
> 
> the truth of His Cause. The clergy could
> not agree on a miracle and drop the challenge. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, now 15,
> visits the local mosques and has dialog with the learned and Himself
> becomes
> famous for His wisdom.
> circa 1861-2 Bahá'u'lláh reveals The Book of Certitude
> (Kitab-i-Iqan).
> 
> 21 Mar 1863 Bahá'u'lláh reveals the Tablet of the Holy
> Mariner, in which He reveals gloomy predictions. Prompted by the
> stirrings
> of the clergy and the Persian Consul General of Baghdad,
> Bahá'u'lláh was invited to Istanbul on March 26th and given
> a sum of money for the journey by the Governor of Baghdad.
> Bahá'u'lláh accepts the invitation but gives all the money
> to the poor.
> 
> 22 April 1863 Public declaration of the mission of Bahá'u'lláh
> in the Garden of Ridvan [meaning Paradise, then known as the Garden
> of Najibiyyih] in Baghdad on the shores of the
> Tigris River, nineteen years after the Bab's declaration, which fulfills
> the Bab's prophecy.
> 
> 3 May 1863 Bahá'u'lláh, 11 family members and 26
> 
> disciples depart for Constantinople at noon. During the journey, they are
> accorded enthusiastic receptions wherever they stopped, being preceded by
> the government cavalry, flags flying and drums beating.
> 13 Aug 1863 Bahá'u'lláh departs by steamer from the port
> of Samsun to Constantinople.
> 
> 16 Aug 1863 Arrival in Constantinople [the Sublime Porte] at noon.
> The house provided was too small. Within a month they were relocated to
> larger
> quarters. The Persian government is extremely upset with the
> courteousness
> and kindness shown by the Sultan toward Bahá'u'lláh, Who was
> received as a guest. Finally the Sultan was unable to resist the
> political
> pressure and issues the edict of banishment to the remote Adrianople
> (modern
> day Edirne). Bahá'u'lláh sends His first of many letters to
> the Kings and rulers of the world, to Sultan 'Abdu'l-'Aziz.
> 
> 12 Dec 1863 Arrival in Adrianople [the Land of Mystery] after a bitterly
> cold 12 day journey. Here, Bahá'u'lláh publicly announces His
> mission, both to His followers and to the world in letters to the Kings,
> rulers, religious leaders and mankind in general including elected
> officials.
> Most Babis accept Him and become known as Bahá'ís.
> Note that Bahá'u'lláh's presence in Constantinople and Adrianople
> were the first time in recorded world history that a Manifestation of God
> set foot on European soil. Here, His revelation rose to its zenith; He is
> shown great respect by local officials, the diplomatic corps, and
> religious
> communities. Among those addressed by Bahá'u'lláh at this time
> were: Napoleon III, the Czar, Queen Victoria, the Pope, the Sultan and
> the
> Shah. In most cases, Bahá'u'lláh declares His Mission and makes
> demands of the ruler and states the consequences should He be rejected.
> All
> but Queen Victoria reject Him, and all but Queen Victoria succumb to
> defeat
> and humiliation, including Pope Pius IX.
> 
> 1864 Bahá'u'lláh is poisoned by
> His half brother, Mirza Yahya. He was seriously ill for a month and was
> left with a shaking hand until the end of His life. (Today, you can see
> the
> effects of the poisoning in the penmanship of Bahá'u'lláh,
> preserved in the Bahá'í archives in Haifa.) Mirza
> Yahya has the well poisoned which provided water to
> Bahá'u'lláh's companions.
> 
> 1865 Les Religions et les Philosophies dans l'
> Asie Centrale by the Comte de Gobineau is published, making
> the West aware of the Bab. 'Abdu'l-Bahá becomes known by all
> as "The Master".
> 
> some time later Bahá'u'lláh reveals the Tablet of Ahmad
> for Ahmad-i-Yazdi, a resident of Baghdad, who travels throughout
> Persia confirming that Bahá'u'lláh is the Promised One of all ages (part
> of the proof he gave was a written statement by the Bab
> "which declared that 'He Whom God shall make manifest' would bear the
> name
> Bahá").
> 
> 12 Aug 1868 Mirza Yahya [who had been given the
> title Subh-i-Azal (Morning of Eternity) by the Bab), responded to
> Bahá'u'lláh's public claim by also claiming he was a messenger
> of God. Due to the plotting,scheming and intrigues by Mirza
> Yahya (who was the constant willing tool of Siyyid Muhammad), the
> Sultan banishes Bahá'u'lláh and His companions to 'Akka,
> while Mirza Yahya and his party (the Azalis)
> are sent to Cyprus. Bahá'u'lláh and 66 of His followers departs
> from Adrianople, initially for Gallipoli. Additionally, the government
> decided
> that four of the Azalis would accompany the Bahá'í group
> and vice versa. Siyyid Muhammad was one of the four to accompany
> Bahá'u'lláh. The lies and calumnies
> 
> by Mirza
> Yahya and Siyyid Muhammad damaged the prestige of the Faith in the
> eyes of its western admirers such as E. G. Browne and A.L.M. Nicolas (the
> French Diplomat and translator of the Persian and Arabic Bayans). Yahya
> later died with no followers
> 
> left to give him a burial as either
> a Babi or Bahá'í.
> 
> 21 Aug 1868 Bahá'u'lláh departs from Gallipoli by steamer
> for Haifa and then by sail to 'Akka.
> 
> 31 Aug 1868 Arrival in 'Akka [the Most Great Prison, today known
> as Acre], a prison city
> 
> for which it was said at that time that should a
> bird fly over it, the bird would surely fall to the ground dead for its
> foul
> air. During the first short while, almost all the prisoners became ill
> with
> malaria, dysentery or other sicknesses. 'Abdu'l-Bahá tended to all
> the sick even though he himself contracted an illness. Bahá'u'lláh
> predicts that one day He will pitch His tent on Mt. Carmel. Three
> succumbed
> to their illnesses.
> 
> 2 Sep 1868 The Governor of 'Akka visits the "desperate criminals"
> and is deeply impressed by 'Abdu'l-Bahá. He is moved to improve their
> conditions. Another visitor states that "such pure and sanctified souls
> had
> never before been seen in 'Akka". Meanwhile, Siyyid Muhammad and Aqa Jan
> Big, the source of all the lies to the authorities, convinced
> some guards to move their quarters to overlook the land gate so that they
> could identify anyone who arrived if they were Bahá'í and thus
> warning the guards, the pilgrims who had walked for weeks would be turned
> back without even a glimpse of Bahá'u'lláh through His cell
> window.
> 
> 23 Jun 1870 Mirza Mihdi (the Purest Branch,
> Bahá'u'lláh's youngest son) falls through a skylight in the
> prison. Bahá'u'lláh offers to heal him but Mirza
> Mihdi instead offers his life as a sacrifice so that those who desire
> may undertake pilgrimages. Bahá'u'lláh accepts and the Purest
> Branch dies at age 22. 70 years later, his body is entombed in the
> Monument
> Gardens on Mount Carmel.
> 
> 4 Nov 1870 Release from prison barracks to
> 
> house within 'Akka
> (the house of 'Udi Khammar). This house was attached to the
> house of 'Abbud. The partition between them was later removed and became
> known as simply the house of 'Abbud.
> 
> 23 Jan 1872 Murder of Siyyid Muhammad (the one who had constantly
> manipulated Mirza Yahya into his cowardly acts), Aqa
> Jan Big and another companion Covenant-breaker in 'Akka in
> retaliation for their persecutions. Bahá'u'lláh had forbidden
> any act of retaliation, but seven of His tormented companions succumbed.
> An army of men descended upon the Bahá'ís. The seven guilty
> men were confined for several years. The remainder were confined for six
> months. The distress caused to Bahá'u'lláh of this event was immeasurable:
> "That which can make Me ashamed is the conduct of such of My
> followers as profess to love Me".
> 
> Aug - Sep 1872 Marriage of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and Munirih
> Khanum. Four of their daughters survived the long imprisonment and
> distinguished themselves in their lives dedicated to service.
> 1873 A new governor of 'Akka is appointed.
> This one was captivated by 'Abdu'l-Bahá and saw through the ploys
> of the antagonists. He asked Bahá'u'lláh what he could do of
> service: Bahá'u'lláh requested that the aqueduct be restored
> to operation. Bahá'u'lláh reveals the Kitab-i-Aqdas
> [the Most Holy Book, the Book of Laws and Ordinances of the Bahá'í
> Faith]. In this Book is also found many more addresses to the rulers of
> the
> world and is the culmination of His formal declaration. The Bahá'í
> community
> 
> transformed into a respected community and Bahá'ís
> were allowed to open up shops.
> 
> 1875 The new governor is transferred, expresses
> his sorrow at his separation from Bahá'u'lláh and His son.
> 
> June 1877 Departure from 'Akka for the Mansion of
> 
> Mazra'ih and
> His first visits to the Ridvan Garden.
> 
> Sep 1879 Occupation of the Mansion of Bahji [Joy].
> Bahá'u'lláh increasingly delegates affairs of the
> Bahá'í community toward 'Abdu'l-Bahá, helping the community
> to become gradually accustomed
> 
> to 'Abdu'l-Bahá's role after
> Bahá'u'lláh's passing.
> 
> 1883 Visit by Bahá'u'lláh to Haifa
> 
> 1886 Death of Bahá'u'lláh's wife
> Navvab in 'Akka
> 
> April 1890 Edward Granville Browne of Cambridge University, interviews
> Bahá'u'lláh and visits
> 
> with 'Abdu'l-Bahá at Bahji.
> 
> Spring 1890 and summer 1891 Two more visits by Bahá'u'lláh
> to Haifa; revelation of the Tablet of Carmel; Bahá'u'lláh's
> identification of the site of the future Shrine of the Bab.
> 
> 1891 Bahá'u'lláh's revelation of
> 
> the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf
> 
> 1892 Revelation of the
> Kitab-i-'Ahd [the
> Book of the Covenant], the last Tablet revealed.
> 
> 29 May 1892 Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh at 8 hours after
> sunset
> (approximately. 3AM) in Bahji, 'Akka.
> 
> 7 Jun
> 
> 1892 Unsealing and reading of Bahá'u'lláh's
> Kitab-i-'Ahd at Bahji.
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá ["the Centre of
> the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh", "the Master",
> "the Most Mighty
> Branch", "the Exemplar"] is appointed as the interpreter
> of His teachings
> and the source of authority in all affairs of the faith.
> 
> Third Epoch of the Heroic Age: 1892-1921:
> The Ministry of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
> 
> 1892-1896 Mirza
> Muhammad-'Ali [also a son of
> Bahá'u'lláh, designated The Greater Branch, second in rank
> to 'Abdu'l-Bahá and
> half-brother of 'Abdu'l-Bahá] undertakes
> covert campaign to discredit
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá and assume leadership of
> the Bahá'í Faith. 'Abdu'l-Bahá
> chooses to keep silent
> and protect the community
> 
> .
> 
> 23 Sep 1893 First public mention of the Bahá'í Faith
> in the
> West. In a session of the World's Parliament of Religions, the Reverend
> George A. Ford, a Syrian missionary, reads a paper talking about
> Bahá'u'lláh.
> 
> Feb 1894 Dr. Ibrahim George Khayru'llah, having
> arrived in New York in 1892, moves to Chicago and
> seeks out people interested
> in the Bahá'í Message.
> 
> 1894 Thornton
> Chase becomes first American
> Bahá'í. 'Abdu'l-Bahá confers upon him the
> title "Steadfast".
> Louisa A. Moore becomes a Bahá'í, given the title "Banner",
> i.e. Banner of the Cause, and
> is later designated by the Guardian as "the
> mother teacher of the West".
> She marries Edward Getsinger and becomes Lua
> Getsinger. Mrs. Phoebe
> Hearst, wife of Senator George F. Hearst, was taught
> by Lua Getsinger during one of Mrs. Getsinger's extensive
> travels throughout
> America.
> 
> 1 Mar 1897 Shoghi Effendi, eldest
> grandson of 'Abdu'l-Bahá,
> is born of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's eldest daughter in
> the House of Abdu'llah
> Pasha.. He is descended from Bahá'u'lláh on his mother's side
> and related to the Bab on
> his father's side.
> 
> 1898 Phoebe Hearst organizes historic
> pilgrimage
> of 15 early American Bahá'ís to meet 'Abdu'l-Bahá. By
> now
> there are hundreds of Bahá'ís in America. The
> 
> pilgrims
> arrive in 'Akka 10 Dec 1898. The hearts of the pilgrims are set
> ablaze
> by the love of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, so much so that some believe
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá is the return of Jesus Christ. 'Abdu'l-Bahá corrects
> them,
> saying that He is the Servant of Bahá. Robert Turner, the
> black butler of Mrs. Hearst, shown great kindness by
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá,
> later becomes the first black Bahá'í on the American
> continent.
> May Ellis Bolles is asked to teach the Faith in Paris.
> Dr.
> Khayru'llah, also among the pilgrims, sought
> 
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá's
> endorsement of his presentation of the Bahá'í Faith.
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá corrects his misconceptions and urged him to seriously
> study
> the Bahá'í Writings. Khayru'llah refuses.
> 
> 31 Jan 1899 Remains of
> the Bab finally arrive at Mt. Carmel.
> 
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá begins construction of a befitting resting-place.
> 
> 1899 First Bahá'í centre in Europe
> established in Paris.
> 
> 1900 Dr.
> Khayru'llah violates
> Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant, establishes pact with Mirza
> Muhammad-'Ali and works against 'Abdu'l-Bahá, trying to seize
> control of the Faith in the West. Almost none
> of the American Bahá'ís
> follow his lead; they remain faithful to
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Khayru'llah
> would continue spreading his poison for two
> decades, but unsuccessful, finally
> returns
> 
> to Syria.
> 
> 1901 'Abdu'l-Bahá and His family, until this time
> free
> to venture in the area, are once again confined to the prison walls
> of
> 'Akka as a consequence of His enemies representation to the authorities
> that 'Abdu'l-Bahá was constructing a
> 
> fort (in reality, the mausoleum)
> and building an army (in reality, just
> visiting pilgrims). He directs attention
> to correspondence while in
> prison and visits and assists the needy and the
> sick of 'Akka.
> 
> summer 1901 May Ellis Bolles teaches Thomas Breakwell, first British
> Bahá'í.
> 
> 1902 May Ellis Bolles weds
> William Sutherland
> Maxwell, designer of the superstructure of the Shrine
> of the Bab,
> becomes May Maxwell. They establish their home in Montreal,
> Canada.
> 
> 7 Jun 1903 'Abdu'l-Bahá reveals Tablet calling for
> the erection of a Temple in America.
> 
> 1904 First commission appointed by the Turkish
> government investigates
> the charges leveled against 'Abdu'l-Bahá.
> The Spanish Consul offers Him
> safe passage to any foreign port, but
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá refuses, saying He must abide by whatever the ruling.
> 
> 1907 A second commission, composed of four corrupt
> officials,
> finally reaches a decision and announces that the charges against
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá have been substantiated and that He
> 
> was to be exiled
> or executed. Upon their return to Turkey, the Young
> Turk Revolution seizes
> hold and the four commissioners flee.
> 
> Apr
> 1908 Purchase of some land for the future House of Worship in Wilmette,
> Illinois.
> 
> 1908 Some Answered Questions by Laura Clifford
> Barney published, based on her interviews of
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá encompassing
> her four pilgrimages. The Young Turk Revolution
> frees all prisoners of the
> Ottoman Empire, including 'Abdu'l-Bahá in
> September, Who is finally
> free to leave Palestine. 'Abdu'l-Bahá drafts His Will and Testament,
> detailing the
> two principal institutions of the Faith (the Guardianship -
> the sole
> authority for the interpretation of the Bahá'í teachings,
> and the
> Universal House of Justice - the primary legislative and administrative
> authority of the Bahá'í community). He begins
> to focus on building
> the international community and the establishment of
> spiritual assemblies
> in North America and Persia, the forerunners of the
> future local Houses of
> Justice.
> 
> 28 Nov 1928 Construction begins on the first Bahá'í House
> of
> Worship ('Ishqabad, Russia).
> 
> 20 Mar 1909 'Abdu'l-Bahá inters the
> remains of the Bab
> on the spot chosen by Bahá'u'lláh years earlier.
> 
> 1909 First of the tablets of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
> published in the West.
> 
> 1910 Though in very poor health due to
> his long
> imprisonment, 'Abdu'l-Bahá journeys to Egypt to spread the
> Faith.
> 
> 11 Aug 1911 'Abdu'l-Bahá sails for Marseille and later
> journeys to London (September) and Paris.
> 
> In December, He returns to Egypt.
> 
> 11 Apr 1912 'Abdu'l-Bahá arrives
> in New York City at the
> request of the American Bahá'ís. Visits many
> cities including
> Chicago where He laid the cornerstone for "the Mother
> Temple of the West",
> Eliot Maine where Sarah Farmer, founder of Green Acre, later opened her facility
> for
> Bahá'í training, and Montreal where He was the guest of
> William and May
> Maxwell, whose home later became the first Canadian
> Bahá'í centre, and
> whose daughter Mary was to become the wife
> of Shoghi Effendi. During the next 239 days, 'Abdu'l-Bahá spoke at
> countless churches, halls and homes on many topics such as the basic
> principles
> of the Faith, philosophical , moral and spiritual topics, and
> spoke to church
> congregations, peace societies, trade unions, university faculties, etc.
> The talks are later
> published as "The Promulgation of Universal Peace".
> 
> 1 May 1912
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá lays the foundation stone for
> the first Bahá'í House of
> Worship in the West at Wilmette,
> Illinois.
> 
> 19 Oct 1912 'Abdu'l-Bahá visits the grave of Thornton
> Chase in
> Inglewood, California.
> 
> 29 Jun 1912 'Abdu'l-Bahá hosts first Unity
> Feast at the
> Wilhelm properties in W. Englewood, New Jersey.
> 
> 5 Dec
> 1912 'Abdu'l-Bahá sails for England,
> 
> visits Liverpool,
> London, Bristol and Edinburgh. He visits Paris,
> Stuttgart, Budapest and Vienna.
> 
> May 1913 'Abdu'l-Bahá returns to
> Egypt.
> 
> 5 Dec 1913 'Abdu'l-Bahá returns to Haifa.
> 
> July 1914
> By now, 'Abdu'l-Bahá has dismissed all the
> 
> pilgrims from the Holy Land. He has predicted a great world conflict.
> 
> August 1914 The Great War begins and contact between 'Abdu'l-Bahá
> and the West is cut off. 'Abdu'l-Bahá again becomes a prisoner of
> the
> Turkish government as a result of the machinations of Mirza
> Muhammad-'Ali and again lives under the constant
> threat of execution.
> 
> 1916-1917 Tablets of the Divine Plan, the
> mandate for the global expansion
> of the Faith, is sent to America.
> 
> 1918 Shoghi Effendi receives Bachelor
> of Arts degree from the American University at Beirut.
> 
> 23 Sep 1918
> 'Akka is liberated by British and Indian cavalry
> and 'Abdu'l-Bahá is
> again freed.
> 
> 1919 First Convention of the Covenant held in
> New
> York City. Later that year, Shoghi Effendi Rabbani [Rabbani meaning "Divine",
> surname given to him by
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá] was acting as the Master's
> secretary, translator and
> right-hand man. Shoghi becomes known in "high"
> circles.
> 
> winter
> 1919 J. E. Esslemont visits for ten weeks, and in 1927
> 
> publishes
> Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era.
> 
> 27 Apr 1920 'Abdu'l-Bahá's
> humanitarian services, having saved
> thousands of people from famine in
> Palestine after the War due to His personal
> organization of extensive
> agricultural operations near Tiberias, results
> in British Government knighthood.
> 
> 24 Sep 1920 Excavation
> begins for the foundation of the House of Worship,
> Wilmette, Illinois.
> 
> 1920 'Abdu'l-Bahá sends Shoghi Effendi
> to Oxford to perfect his
> english. Shoghi Effendi believes his
> 
> lot in life
> to be that of a translator and servant of 'Abdu'l-Bahá.
> 
> 20 Dec 1920 Construction begins on the House of Worship in
> Wilmette,
> Illinois.
> 
> 28 Nov 1921 'Abdu'l-Bahá dies after a brief
> illness at 1AM in
> Haifa. Over ten thousand people, including Muslim, Roman Catholic, Greek
> Orthodox, Jewish and Druze
> dignitaries, the British High Commissioner and
> governors of Jerusalem and
> Phoenicia attend. Nine speakers, prominent
> representatives of the Muslim,
> Christian and Jewish communities, eulogize
> His pure and noble life. By now the Bahá'í community has
> spread
> throughout the Middle East, India and North America but most
> Bahá'ís
> still resided in Persia. 'Abdu'l-Bahá's last instructions are
> in
> an envelope addressed to Shoghi Effendi.
> 
> First Epoch of the
> Formative Age: 1921
> - 1947
> 
> 29 Dec 1921
> Shoghi Effendi arrives in Haifa, accompanied by Lady Blomfeld
> and
> Rouhangeze.
> 
> 3 Jan 1922 Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá formally
> read. The Guardianship is inaugurated and
> Shoghi Effendi is appointed the
> first Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith: the
> sole authoritative
> interpreter of the Bahá'í Writings. As interpreter,
> the Guardian
> analyzed world events in the light of Bahá'í Scriptures
> and sent lengthy letters to Bahá'í
> communities throughout the
> world with his results. He was asked numerous
> questions on a broad range
> of topics. His answers comprise a significant
> portion of the interpretation
> of the
> 
> Bahá'í Writings. Shunning any personal acknowledgement
> or praise, the
> Guardian forbid any commemoration of events associated with
> his life and
> fulfilled his role largely outside of public view; a stark contrast
> to
> the charismatic style of 'Abdu'l-Bahá.
> 
> Generally speaking, the
> Guardian concentrated on: the development of the
> Bahá'í World
> Center, the translation and interpretation of Bahá'í
> Teachings,
> the expansion of the administrative order, and the
> implementation of the
> divine plan of 'Abdu'l-Bahá.
> 
> 15 Dec 1922 Shoghi Effendi returns to Holy Land to resume duties
> as
> Guardian.
> 
> 16 Feb 1923 Declaration of the first native Hawaiian
> Bahá'í
> on (Mae Tilton Fantom, Maui).
> 
> 12 Mar 1923 Shoghi Effendi
> calls for the establishment of Loca and
> National Bahá'í Funds.
> 
> 1923 National Spiritual Assemblies
> are formed
> in British Isles, Germany and India.
> 
> 1924 National
> Spiritual Assembly is formed in
> Egypt.
> 
> 1925 National Spiritual
> Assembly is formed in
> the United States and Canada (one mutual assembly at this time).
> 
> 1 Aug 1927 Bahá'í
> Summer School opened at Geyserville,
> California.
> 
> 14 Feb 1929 Work
> begins on three additional chambers of the Shrine
> of the Bab.
> 
> 3
> Mar 1929 League of Nations Council resolution upholds the
> Bahá'í Community's claim to Bahá'u'lláh's house
> in
> Baghdad.
> 
> 27 Nov 1929 Restoration of the Mansion at Bahji begins.
> 
> 15 Jul 1932 Passing of the Greatest Holy Leaf (Bahiyyih
> Khanum),
> Bahá'u'lláh's daughter, in Haifa. She
> 
> was the
> loyal stalwart supporter of the Faith and provided Shoghi
> Effendi with invaluable
> support after his appointment as Guardian.
> 
> 1934 National Spiritual Assembly is formed in
> Persia and Australia.
> 
> 10 May 1934 Tax exemption for Bahá'í
> 
> properties on Mt.
> Carmel announced.
> 
> 21 Apr 1937 First Seven-Year
> Plan launched. Goals: to establish at
> least one local spiritual assembly
> in every state of the United States and
> every province of Canada; to make
> certain that at least one Bahá'í
> 
> teacher was residing in each Latin American republic; to complete the
> exterior
> design of the first Bahá'í house of worship in North America.
> The plan was successfully completed in 1944, the centenary of the
> Bab's
> declaration.
> 
> 25 Dec 1939 Remains of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Mother (Navvab
> - The Most Exalted Leaf) and Brother
> (The Purest Branch) interred together
> on Mt. Carmel.
> 
> 21 Apr 1946
> Second Seven-Year Plan launched. This plan focused on Europe,
> which only
> had national spiritual assemblies
> 
> in Great Britain and Germany.
> It also called for the formation of local
> spiritual assemblies in Latin America
> and a vast increase in assemblies
> in North America. The plan was successfully
> completed in 1953, the
> centenary of Bahá'u'lláh's Intimation.
> 
> 15 Dec 1946 Completion of plans for erection of arcade of the Shrine
> of the Bab.
> 
> Second
> Epoch of the Formative Age: 1947
> - 1963
> 
> 7
> Mar 1948 Shoghi Effendi decides to commence work on the Shrine of
> the Bab superstructure.
> 
> 1948 Distinct
> National Spiritual Assembly of the
> Bahá'ís of Canada formed.
> 
> 1949
> Special Act of Canadian Parliament is the
> first official recognition of
> the Bahá'í Faith by any government
> 
> .
> 
> 9 July 1950 Completion of the Arcade and Parapet of the Shrine of
> the
> Bab.
> 
> 16 Dec 1950 Mazra'ih leased from Israeli authorities.
> 
> 1951 The Guardian begins appointing Hands of the
> Cause of God
> (distinguished believers who were assigned tasks to teach the
> Faith and protect its institutions).
> 
> Apr
> 1953 Formal dedication of the house of worship at Wilmette, Illinois,
> designed by French-Canadian architect Jean-Louis Bourgeois.
> 
> 21 Apr
> 1953 Ten Year World Crusade launched,
> 
> to conclude in 1963: the
> centenary of Bahá'u'lláh's declaration in the
> Garden of
> Ridvan.The goal was to extend the Faith to 132 more countries
> and
> the existing 120 countries and territories were to be expanded.
> 
> Oct 1953 The Shrine of the Bab is
> 
> completed.
> 
> 4 Nov 1957 The Guardian dies in England of Asian flu
> while on a visit
> to purchase furnishings for the Bahá'í archives building
> on
> Mt. Carmel. Although provisions permitted successive Guardians, Shoghi
> Effendi
> had not appointed one (no
> 
> living direct descendants of Bahá'u'lláh
> were faithful to His Covenant).
> The Guardian had indicated that at the completion
> of the Crusade,
> conditions were ripe for the election of the Universal House
> of Justice.
> The Hands of the Cause of God, collaborating with the national
> spiritual assemblies, worked to complete the
> goals of the Ten Year World
> Crusade.
> 
> 1 Feb 1959 Completion of the
> Bahá'í Home for the
> Aged in Wilmette, Illinois.
> 
> 15 Jan 1961
> Dedication of the House of Worship in Kampala, Uganda.
> 
> 16 Sep 1961 Dedication of the House of Worship in
> Sydney, Australia.
> 
> Third Epoch of the Formative Age: 1963
> -
> 1986
> 
> 28 Apr 1963 First Bahá'í World Congress
> 
> in London, England.
> The Hands of the Cause of God, in an unprecedented
> gesture of renunciation,
> disqualified themselves from eligibility for the
> election of the Universal
> House of Justice. The nine members of the first
> Universal House of Justice
> are elected by the members of the 56 existing national spiritual assemblies
> of
> the world. The first membership included Bahá'ís of Jewish,
> Christian and
> Muslim backgrounds and several ethnic origins.The
> Bahá'í Faith, having
> withstood the attacks of those who would
> destroy it, and those who would fragment it into dozens of sects,
> emerges
> as one unified Faith with one sole living authority: the
> Universal House
> of Justice; truly the Day that shall never be followed by
> Night referenced
> in the Bible.
> 
> 30 Apr 1963 Presentation of the members of the first Universal House
> of
> Justice; reading of its first message in London, England.
> 
> 21 Apr
> 1964 The Universal House of Justice launches a Nine Year Plan
> which was
> to be completed in 1973, the centenary of Bahá'u'lláh's
> revelation of the Kitab-i-Aqdas.
> 
> 26 Apr 1964
> Election of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the
> Hawaiian
> Islands.
> 
> 4 Jul 1964 Dedication of the Mother Temple of Europe in
> Langenhain,
> Germany.
> 
> 19 Feb 1968 First Ruling Monarch to become a Bahá'í accepts
> the Faith: His Highness
> Malietoa Tanumafili II - Head of State of Western
> Samoa.
> 
> by April,
> 1969 The Universal House of Justice had appointed 11 Continental
> Board
> Counsellors to serve the Faith in roles of protection and propagation.
> 
> 21 April 1970 Eleven more national
> spiritual assemblies are formed,
> bringing the total to 94.
> 
> 21
> April 1971 By now, 10,360 Local Spiritual Assemblies exist,and
> Bahá'ís
> reside in 46,334 localities.
> 
> 19
> 
> Dec 1971 Erection of Obelisk on Mt. Carmel to mark site of future
> Mashriqu'l-Adhkar.
> 
> 29 April 1972 Dedication of Mother Temple of
> Latin America in Panama.
> By now, the Spiritual Assembly of Iraq has been
> dissolved because of persecution
> against
> 
> Bahá'ís in that land.
> 
> 15 Mar 1973 Mazra'ih is purchased.
> 
> 21
> Apr 1973 The Universal House of Justice launches a FiveYear Plan.
> 
> 5
> Jun 1973 Announcement of the establishment of the International
> Teaching
> Centre in Haifa.
> 
> 7 Feb 1974 Announcement of the design for the Permanent Seat
> of the Universal
> House of Justice.
> 
> 13 July 1974 Dedication of the John Bosch Bahá'í
> Summer
> School in Santa Cruz, California.
> 
> 14 Jan 1975 Purchase of
> the house of 'Abdu'llah Pasha,
> 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Holy House in 'Akka and birthplace of Shoghi
> Effendi.
> 
> 17
> Jun 1975 Announcement of beginning of excavation for the Seat of
> the
> Universal House of Justice.
> 
> 12 Sep 1976 His Highness Malietoa
> Tanumafili II of Western Samoa visits
> Shoghi Effendi's grave in London, England.
> 
> 1978 Religious fanaticism
> in Iran sparks the beginning
> of persecution against the Bahá'ís of Iran.
> 
> 27 Jan 1979 Foundation Stone Ceremony, site of future House of
> Worship,
> Western Samoa, with His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II.
> 
> 21 Apr 1979 The Universal House of
> Justice launches a SevenYear Plan.
> 
> 31 Jan 1983 Universal House of
> Justice occupies its Permanent Seat
> on Mt. Carmel.
> 
> 21 April 1983
> In the last five years, the House of
> 
> the Bab and
> the ancestral home of Bahá'u'lláh in Takur were razed
> and
> scores of Iranian Bahá'ís were executed: their crime -
> being Bahá'í.
> 
> Summer, 1983 Six young women, aged 18-25 were hanged in Shiraz.
> All
> were offered freedom if they would recant their Faith. None accepted
> that offer. Children are expelled from
> schools in Iran for being
> Bahá'í.
> 
> 21 April 1984 Nine new National
> Spiritual Assemblies are formed, bringing
> the number to 143. The Bahá'ís
> of Iran continue to be
> persecuted.
> 
> Some six hundred men, women and children are currently in prison.
> The
> administrative functions have long been disbanded there.
> 
> 1 Sep 1984
> Dedication of the House of Worship in Apia, Western Samoa.
> 
> Oct 1985
> The Universal House of Justice publishes "The Promise of World
> Peace". This statement on peace is formally
> presented to virtually all rulers,
> whether individuals or parliaments, of
> the world and to the leading thinkers
> of the world.
> 
> 17 Nov 1985
> Universal House of Justice announces reinterment of the
> remains of Mirza Muhammad-Quli (faithful
> half-brother
> of Bahá'u'lláh) in new Bahá'í cemetery
> looking towards the
> Qiblih of the Faith (i.e. the resting place of
> Bahá'u'lláh).
> 
> Fourth Epoch of the Formative Age: 1986
> - Present
> 
> 21 Apr 1986 The Universal House of Justice launches a SixYear Plan.
> 
> 3 Aug 1986 Historic visit to Bahá'í World Centre by Sir
> Thomas
> Davis, Prime Minister of the Cook Islands for a consultation with
> the Universal House of Justice on world
> peace.
> 
> 24 Dec 1986 Dedication of the House of Worship of the Indian
> Subcontinent
> in New Delhi, India.
> 
> 21 April 1987 By now, more than
> 1 million copies of "The Promise of
> 
> World Peace" had been distributed. 200 Iranian Bahá'ís are
> still in
> prison in Iran.
> 
> 3 Oct 1987 Bahá'í Faith becomes sixth world
> religion
> to join Network On Conservation and Religion of the World Wide
> Fund for Nature.
> 
> Sep 1988 Opening of the Maxwell International Bahá'í
> School in British Columbia, Canada.
> 
> 21 April 1990 By now, two Knights of Bahá'u'lláh had
> settled in Sakhalin
> Island, the last remaining territory named by Shoghi
> Effendi in his Ten
> Year Global Plan. A two-year subsidiary teaching plan
> is introduced by the Universal House of Justice. The
> United States House
> of Representatives unanimously adopted a resolution
> calling for the
> emancipation of the Iranian Bahá'í Community.
> 
> 18
> March 1992 Word of the secret execution of Mr. Bahman Samandari
> in Iran is made known.
> 
> 21 April 1992
> The Holy Year begins, in commemoration of the centenary of
> the passing of
> Bahá'u'lláh. The Faith is now represented in
> every nation on earth. Law
> of Huququ'llah takes effect. Last known execution
> of a Bahá'í in Iran took place this month.
> 
> 22
> Nov 1992 Second Bahá'í World Congress held in the
> City of the Covenant
> (New York City) - attended by 30,000 Bahá'ís.
> 
> 21 March 1993 The
> Most Holy Book (Kitab-i-Aqdas) is published
> in English for the first time.
> 
> 21 Apr 1993 The Universal House
> of Justice launches a ThreeYear Plan.
> 
> March 1995 World Summit for
> Social Development in Copenhagen involving
> 250 Bahá'ís from more than 40
> countries. "The Prosperity of
> Humankind", produced by the Bahá'í International Community's
> Office of
> Public Information, was distributed and discussed.
> 
> 21 April 1995
> 172 National Spiritual Assemblies are existent.
> 
> Sept 1995 The
> Fourth World Conference on Women was held in
> 
> Beijing,
> attended by more than 500 Bahá'ís and an official delegation
> from BIC. Also in 1995, the Bahá'í International Community's
> United
> Nations Office produced and distributed a statement, entitled "Turning
> Point for All Nations", containing proposals for the development of the United
> Nations.
> 
> 21 Apr 1996 The
> Universal House of Justice launches a FourYear Plan.
> "The structural
> framework of the Centre for the Study of the Texts and the
> Extension to
> the International Archives Building has been raised up and the
> work on these buildings has advanced towards
> initiation of the exterior and
> interior finishing work. The erection of
> the permanent seat of the International
> Teaching Centre, the third
> structure currently being built on the Arc, is
> 
> progressing rapidly. Seven terraces below the Shrine of the Bab are
> now
> completed, foreshowing the unfolding splendour from the foot to the ridge
> of God's Holy Mountain."
> 
> This is a work in progress.
> More details on the development
> 
> of the World
> Center will be added when I can do so.
> 
> It is my hope that this chronology provides you with an overview which
> will
> aid your understanding of the extraordinary circumstances in which
> the
> Bahá'í Teachings have been revealed. This is by no means an
> exhaustive work; myriads of details have been left out for the sake of
> brevity.
> As a suggestion, try viewing this chronology when you pick up one
> of
> Bahá'u'lláh's works. Look at His trials and tribulations and
> peruse the
> words from The Pen of Glory. How else could such outpourings of
> wisdom and love have emanated under such
> circumstances from an uneducated
> Man except through the Power of God? This
> is the first and foremost proof
> of the Manifestation of God: His
> Revelation.
> 
> --J. Thomas Pawlowski
> 
> METADATA
> 
> Views32264 views since posted 1997; last edit 2026-04-22 20:10 UTC;
> 
> previous at archive.org.../brief_history_bahai_faith;
> URLs changed in 2010, see archive.org.../bahai-library.org
> Language
> English
> Permission
> author
> Share
> 
> Shortlink: bahai-library.com/1423
> Citation: ris/1423
> 
> select Collection:
> Archives
> Articles
> Articles-unpublished
> Audio
> Bibliographies
> BIC
> Biographies
> Books
> Chronologies
> Compilations
> Compilations-NSA
> Compilations-personal
> Documents
> East-asia
> Encyclopedia
> Essays
> Etc
> Excerpts
> Fiction
> Glossaries
> Guardian
> Histories
> Introductory
> Letters
> Maps
> Music
> Newspapers
> NSA-documents
> NSA-letters
> Personal
> Pilgrims
> Poetry
> Presentations
> Resources
> Reviews
> Scripts
> Software
> Statistics
> Study
> Talks
> Theses
> Transcripts
> Translations
> UHJ-documents
> UHJ-letters
> Video
> Visual
> Writings
> 
> home
> 
> sitemap
> 
> series
> 
> chronology
> 
> search:
> author
> 
> title
> 
> date
> 
> tags
> 
> adv. search
> languages
> 
> inventory
> 
> bibliography
> 
> abbreviations
> 
> links
> 
> about
> 
> contact
> 
> RSS
> 
> new
>
> — *Brief History of the Baha'i Faith (Used by permission of the curator)*