Historical Writings

Emperor Julian "the Apostate" orders that all professors and schoolmasters must obtain a license before teaching - thus excluding Christians from educating youth.

Birth of John Wesley, English founder of Methodism. The systematic disciplines of the 'Holy Club,' which John and his brother Charles founded, elicited the nickname 'Methodies' from their critics.

Performance of Bach's first sacred cantata "Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis," BWV 21 ("My Heart Was Full of Heaviness,") after a clash with the elders at Halle.

In Norwalk, after singing and praying, Jesse Lee preaches his first sermon in Connecticut (out of doors because no one will let him borrow a house or barn), taking as his theme, "You must be born again." He will establish Methodist churches throughout New England.

Death of Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon, a lifelong supporter of revival leaders and Methodists. Hours before her death of a ruptured blood vessel, she had whispered, "I shall go to my father tonight."

In New York City, the first elders of the newly founded African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church were ordained.

Iowa College was chartered in Davenport under the joint sponsorship of the Congregational and Presbyterian churches. The school changed location in 1859 and was later renamed Grinnell College.

James Theodore Augustus Holly, an African-American, is ordained as a deacon at St. Matthew's Church, Detroit. Nineteen years later, he will become the first African-American missionary-bishop of the Episcopal Church (for Haiti).

Birth of J. Wilbur Chapman, Presbyterian pastor and evangelist who authored a number of hymns, including 'One Day When Heaven Was Filled with His Praises.'

Evangelist Paul Rader in Chicago makes the first of many radio broadcasts to generate publicity for his evangelistic meetings.

Founding of the Thomas Road Baptist Church by Jerry Falwell and his associates.

English apologist C.S. Lewis wrote in a letter: 'Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave it with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.'

Muslims in al-Zawya Alhamra, a Coptic district of Cairo, attempt to seize a Coptic businessman's land to build a mosque. Armed with machine guns, knives, crowbars, and other weapons they attack Christians and their property over a two day period, destroying one hundred and fifty homes and shops and murdering more than a hundred Christians, several by burning them alive. Afterward, foreign correspondents will be barred from photographing the carnage or interviewing the relatives of the victims or eyewitnesses.

Jiang Zongxiu, a 34 year old mother and wife in China is arrested and beaten for distributing Christian literature in a marketplace. She will die the next day.

Islamic terrorists bomb three churches in Kaduna State, Nigeria, killing dozens of Christians, including children, and injuring many more.