Historical Writings

Anastasius becomes bishop (pope) of Rome. He will condemn the writings of Origen.

Death of Bishop Acarius (Achaire) of Noyon-Tournai, an event remembered chiefly because his replacement will be the beloved medieval saint Elegius, also known as Eloy.

In France, Pope Urban II solemnly proclaimed the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont. Urban's twin-purpose was to relieve the pressure by the Seljuk Turks on the Eastern Roman Empire, and to secure free access to Jerusalem for Christian pilgrims.

Death of composer William Dufay in Cambrai. He had pioneered developments in the singing of masses and had often been consulted on canon law in which he was expert.

Death of Margaretha Blaurer, one of the first Lutheran deaconess to work among women.

Birth in the Hague, Netherlands, of Luise Henriette von Oranien, Electress of Brandenburg. She will become mother of Friedrich I, King of Prussia, founder of an orphanage near Berlin, and author of hymns, among which will be "Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense."

Death of Innocent, first bishop of the Diocese of Irkutsk and Nerchinsk. He established schools and evangelized the Siberians and Mongols with few resources from St. Petersburg. The church added the regions of Selingin, Yakutsk, and Ilimsk to his duties.

Land for the first Jewish settlement in America was purchased by Joseph Salvador, who bought 10,000 acres near Fort Ninety-Six, in the southern part of the Carolina Colony.

James Ramsay goes aboard the slave ship Swift and sees appalling sights that make him the champion of abolition. He breaks his thigh the same day and has to leave the navy. Consequently he will take holy orders and begin work in the islands where he will learn more about slavery and become a champion of slaves.

Christian explorer Jedidiah Strong Smith enters California's San Bernardino Valley, becoming the first citizen of the United States to cross the southwestern part of the American continent.

Birth of Adelaide Pollard, Presbyterian hymnwriter. Plagued with frail health most of her life, she lived the life of a mystic. Of the several hymns she penned, "Have Thine Own Way, Lord" is still popular today.

Baron Paul Nicolay writes that the director of the police in Odessa, Ukraine, has refused to let him hold an evangelistic meeting without permission of the Orthodox bishop, who will not grant it.

American missionary martyr Jim Elliot wrote in his journal: 'What gets me into the Kingdom, from Christ's own statement, is not saying "Lord, Lord," but acting "Lord, Lord."'

English Christian apologist C.S. Lewis wrote in a letter: 'Anxiety is not only a pain which we must ask God to assuage but also a weakness we must ask Him to pardon -- for He's told us to take no care for the morrow.'

Benjamín Mendoza y Amor Flores, dressed in a black clerical outfit, attempts to stab Pope Paul VI in the chest during the pontiff's visit to Manila, and manages to nick his chest. The pope proceeds to read some prepared remarks as if nothing has happened.