Martin Luther Timeline: Thunderstorm Put Luther on Historic Path; Years Later, He Confronted an Emperor

1498 to 1501

Luther receives his secondary education in Eisenach, famously singing for his bread in the streets.

1501

Enters the University of Erfurt. Three years later, a terrifying thunderstorm persuades him to switch from law to the ministry. After earning a degree in theology, he joins the Augustinian order of monks.

1508

Arrives in Wittenberg to teach theology at the university.

1517

Oct. 31 Nails his 95 theses to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, the first step in the Reformation.

1519

June Debates Catholic theology in Leipzig with Johann Eck, the most famous Catholic theologian in Germany -- and loses.

1521

Palm Sunday Sets out from Wittenberg in a covered wagon, planning to preach all the way to Worms.

April Preaches in Naumburg and in Weimar's castle church. In Erfurt, the church where he preaches is so packed that the balcony nearly collapses.

April 16 A huge crowd cheers his arrival in Worms. Later he confronts Emperor Charles V, saying, "Here I stand. I can do no other."

May 4 Arrives at Wartburg Castle, high above the town of Eisenach, where he will live incognito for months as "Knight George," in protective custody, and where he will translate the New Testament from Greek into German in a mere 10 weeks.

1525

Marries Katharina von Bora, breaking a 1,000-year tradition of priestly celibacy. They raise their family in a house in Wittenberg given to them by Luther's great protector, Frederick the Wise.