Historical Writings

Death of Daniel, Grand Prince of Moscow, the youngest son of Alexander Nevsky. He had received as his inheritance a lowly domain centered on Moscow, which he ruled peacefully. Through wise alliances and a timely defeat of the Tatars, he had raised Moscow to preeminence. According to tradition, he founded two monasteries. He became a monk himself shortly before his death. Three and a half centuries later the Russian Orthodox Church will declare him a saint.

Death in Brussels of Ana de Jesús, a discalced (shoeless) nun who had founded several branches of the Carmelites. She had been a close associate of Teresa of Avila. The church will soon declare her “Venerable.”

Moravian missionary Peter Bohler, 26, advised future English founder of Methodism John Wesley, 34: 'Preach faith until you have it; and then, because you have it, you will preach faith.'

The British and Foreign Bible Society (BFBS) was founded at a large interdenominational meeting in London. Its purpose was "to promote the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, without note or comment, both at home and in foreign lands."

President Thomas Jefferson in his second inaugural address requests prayer and recalls divine blessings.

Death in India of Sheikh Salih, a notable Indian Christian. At his baptism he had taken the name Abdul Masih, meaning “servant of the Messiah.”

Newly-elected president of the United States Zachary Taylor refuses inauguration on Sunday out of respect for the Lord's day but is inaugurated on Monday.

Future statesman James A. Garfield, at age 18, was "buried with Christ in baptism." Thirty-one years, to the day! after his conversion, Garfield took the oath of office as 20th President of the United States.

Death in Bethany, West Virginia, of Alexander Campbell, co-founder of the Stone-Campbell movement that later will diverge into Disciples of Christ and various Churches of Christ.

Death in Leipzig, Germany, of Franz Delitzsch, German Lutheran Old Testament scholar and theologian, a Christian Hebraist. His greatest contribution to biblical scholarship was an Old Testament commentary he published in collaboration with J. F. K. Keil.

Death in Northfield, Massachusetts, of American evangelist Daniel W. Whittle, author of several popular hymns including “There Shall Be Showers of Blessing,” “Have You Any Room for Jesus?” “I Know Whom I Have Believed,” and “Moment by Moment.”

William Seymour, having preached that tongues is the Bible evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, is padlocked out of the Los Angeles church at which he had been invited to preach. This will force him to continue his ministry in a private home and soon prompt him to rent space on Azusa Street where revival will break out.

Birth of Gloria Gaither, wife of songwriter Bill Gaither, and female vocalist in the Bill Gaither Trio. Gloria is also coÂauthor of the contemporary Christian songs, "Because He Lives," "Something Beautiful" and "The King is Coming."

Gaspar Makil, a Filipino missionary to Vietnam, his young daughter Janie Makil and Elwood Jacobson, a missionary from the United States, are killed by the Vietcong while travelling to the Makil home.

London's "Evening Standard" newspaper published an interview with Beatle John Lennon in which he remarked: 'Christianity will... vanish and shrink... We're more popular than Jesus Christ right now.' The quote touched off a storm of international protest, resulting in burnings and boycotts of the Beatles' records.

A mob of thousands of Muslims burns down the Coptic church of Saint Mina and Saint George in Soul, Egypt, about nineteen miles from Cairo. Authorities at first refuse to send assistance, although they will later rebuild the church.