Historical Writings

Death of Stephen Langton (b.ca.1155), Archbishop of Canterbury. It was Langtonwho formulated the original division of the Bible into chapters in the late 1100s.

German reformer Martin Luther wrote in a letter: 'This is a definite sign thatwe are God's children, because we are men of peace.'

To put an end to difficulties that had arisen through his acceptance of the teachings of Osiander, Albert of Prussia publishes a Lutheran Corpus doctrinae Pruthenicum (Collection of Prussian Doctrine) with a preface that states "no one shall be admitted to any office in Church or school who does not approve of and accept it."

The Spanish governor of the Philippines, Francisco Tello, reports on the state of Christian missions in the islands, describing the number and distribution of Augustinians, Franciscans, Dominicans, and Jesuits; he lists the schools they have established for training priests and Christianizing the “Indians.” He appeals for more religious workers to reap “a great harvest.”

George Frederick Handel begins writing the oratorio Judas Maccabaeus and will complete it in just thirty-two days.

Death of Boston preacher Jonathan Mayhew, who had been controversial because of his Arminian (free will) theology in a largely Calvinist culture. His teaching on the Godhead was precursory to Unitarianism. In his support for personal liberty, he opposed the unpopular Stamp Act imposed by Britain on the colonies, apparently coining the slogan "No taxation without representation."

Michael Paknanas is beheaded at the site of the ancient temple of Olympian Zeus because of his refusal to deny Christianity and embrace Islam.

Birth of Philip P. Bliss, American gospel singer and songwriter. His best-remembered hymns include 'Wonderful Words of Life,' 'It is Well with My Soul' and 'Let theLower Lights Be Burning.'

Birth of Ralph E. Hudson, sacred composer and music publisher. His most enduringhymns include 'At the Cross' and 'Blessed Be the Name.'

Birth of William Cameron Townsend, American missionary and linguist. In 1942 heestablished what has become the largest evangelical missionary agency in the world --Wycliffe Bible Translators (WBT).

Death in Folkestone, Kent, England, of hymnwriter Emily May Grimes Crawford. Her best known hymns were "The Master Comes! He Calls for Thee" and "The Quiet Hour."

As many as seven people die in a stampede trying to get in to see Pope John Paul II in a soccer stadium in Fortaleza, Brazil.