- 1863-12-12 —
Bahá'u'lláh in Adrianople
Bahá'u'lláh and His companions arrived in Adrianople (the "remote prison") ("The Land of Mystery") (GPB174). It would be here where the sun of His revelation would ascend to its zenith, where He proclaimed the Message of His revelation to the whole world. [BKG206; GPB161; RB2:62]
- Picture.
- This was the furthest point from His native land that Bahá'u'lláh reached and the first time in known history that a Manifestation of God had lived on the European continent. [BKG217]
- See BKG218–19, 221–2; GPB161–2 and MRHK179–96 for a description of the houses Bahá'u'lláh lived in during this period.
- See BKG219–20 for the hardships of the first winter.
"at a time when the forces of schism had rent asunder the ties that united the little band of exiles which had settled in Adrianople and whose fortunes seemed then to have sunk to their lowest ebb!" [BW5p175]
- 1864-03-27 — Birth of A. L. M. Nicolas (pen name of Louis Alphonse Daniel Nicolas), who later became an important European scholar on the life and teachings of the Báb, in Rasht. [BBR516]
- 1912-12-05 —
`Abdu'l-Bahá's second visit to Europe.
- It was His second visit to Great Britain. It lasted 24 days.
- 1914-07-28 —
- 1914-08-04 — England declared war on Germany.
- 1917-04-06 —
The United States entered World War I.
- See CF36 for Shoghi Effendi's opinion of its participation in the war.
- 1922-04-05 —
Shoghi Effendi left the affairs of the Faith in the hands of the Greatest Holy Leaf and departed the Holy Land for Europe, accompanied by his eldest cousin. On his way to the Bernese Oberland he went to Germany for medical consultations where they found that he had almost no reflexes [PP57; GBF19-20]
- See BA25 for his reasons for his departure.
- 1923-01-00 —
The Guardian sent `Abdu'l-Husayn, Ávárih, to Europe to deepen the believers. [CB335; SBR68; EJR223]
- For his life and eventual Covenant-breaking see CB334-42 and PP120.
- 1925-04-00 — Of the 38 localities where Bahá'ís resided in Europe, 26 were in Germany. [BBRSM182]
- 1925-06-00 —
The International Bahá'í Bureau was created by the English Bahá'í Jean Stannard (1865–1944) at the encouragement of Shoghi Effendi who wanted the center to serve as an intermediary between the Bahá'í centre of Haifa and the various Bahá'í centres, but without having any international authority in the movement. [BW4:257, 261; BBD118]
- Mrs. Stannard started a publication she called Messager Bahá'í that was printed in three languages (English, French and German). The first issue appeared in July of 1926. Four issues were brought out between July of that year and September 1927.
- Miss Julia Culver joined Mrs Stannard in the Spring of 1927 and Mrs Emogene Hoagg arrived in June of 1928.
- In 1930 the Bureau was legally registered as an International working unit, governed by a local committee which is under the direct supervision of Shoghi Effendi. [BW4p257]
- The International Bahá'í Bureau functioned until 1957. For the history and work of the Bureau see BW4:257–61, BW6:130–5, BW7:108–13, BW11:507–8.
- 1938-00-00 —
Shoghi Effendi remained in Europe for the year owing to terrorist activities in Palestine. [PP219]
- "The Great Revolt" raged in Palestine from 1936 to 1939. It was a nationalist uprising by Palestinian Arabs in Mandatory Palestine against the British administration of the Palestine Mandate, demanding Arab independence and the end of the policy of open-ended Jewish immigration and land purchases with the stated goal of establishing a "Jewish National Home".
- An innocent casualty of the unrest was Habib Miskar. He was one of the oldest Bahá'ís in Haifa at the time. On the 6th of March, 1939, while on his way home he was passing the gate of the house of 'Abdu'l-Bahá when he noticed a party of militia pursuing a fleeing man. He hurried towards the entrance of the garden to take refuge but the soldiers, having no way of knowing that he was not the terrorist they were pursuing, shot them both. [BW8p679]
- 1939-09-03 — World War II began with Britain and France declaring war on Germany after Germany invaded Poland.
- 1945-05-08 —
The war in Europe ended.
- For Shoghi Effendi's response see MA80–1, PP185 and UD175.
- For the war's effect on the Bahá'í community worldwide see BW17:80.
- See CF36 for Shoghi Effendi's opinion of the significance of the role of the United States in the war.
- 1948-05-22 —
The first Bahá'í European Conference was held in Geneva. [BW11:51]
- Among those who attended were Edna True, the chairperson of the European Teaching Committee, Mildred Mottahedeh, and Laura Clifford Dreyfus Barney. [BQYM201-204]
- For details of the conference see BW11:51–2.
- 1949-08-05 — The second European Teaching Conference was held in Brussels. [BW11:52]
- 1950-07-24 —
The third European Teaching Conference was held in Copenhagen. [BW12:49; SBBR14p243]
- 177 Bahá'ís from 22 countries attended.
- 1953-04-19 —
Shoghi Effendi announced plans to build a House of Worship in Frankfurt. [BW13:733; LDG191–2]l
- For the difficulties in pursuing the project see BW13:733–7.
- 1953-07-21 —
The European Intercontinental Teaching Conference was held in Stockholm. [BW12:167; CBN No 46 November, 1953 p4; CBN No 47 December 1953 p6; CBN No 49 February 1954 p3]
- For Shoghi Effendi's message to the conference see BW12:167–71.
In it he called for "the opening of the following thirty virgin territories and islands: Albania, Crete, Estonia, Finno-Karelia, Frisian Islands, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldavia, Rumania, White Russia, (Belarus) assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Germany and Austria; Channel Islands, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Hebrides Islands, Malta, Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the British Isles; Andorra, Azores, Balearic Islands, Lofoten Islands, Spitzbergen, Ukraine, assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States of America; Liechtenstein, Monaco, Rhodes, 160 San Marino, Sardinia, Sicily, assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Italy and Switzerland". [MBW157]
- For a report of the conference see BW12:171–8.
- Fourteen Hands of the Cause were present. [BW12:171]
- 374 Bahá'ís from 30 countries attended, of these 110 come from the ten goal countries. [BW12:171]
- 1953-08-04 — Amír Húshmand Manúchihrí arrived in Liechtenstein and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW13:453]
- 1953-09-01 — Ada Schott, Elizabeth Hopper, Sara Kenny and Ella Duffield arrived in the Madeira Islands and were named Knights of Bahá'u'lláh. BW13:453]
- 1953-10-07 —
William Danjon Dieudonné arrived in Andorra and was named a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW12:449]
- He continued to live in the country.
- By 1979 Andorra had a Bahá'í Local Spiritual Assembly in Andorra-la-Vella and three localities. [BN No 581 August 1979 p11]
- 1958-07-25 —
The fourth Intercontinental Conference was held at the mid-point of the Crusade and convened in Frankfurt, Germany. [BW13:327]
- Amelia Collins, who had been designated by the Guardian as his representative, attended, accompanied by ten other Hands of the Cause. [BW13:327]
- For the message of the Custodians to the conference see MC102–6.
- For a report of the conference see BW13:327–9.
- 1960-11-20 —
The cornerstone of the fifth House of Worship was laid in Langenhain, Germany, by Hand of the Cause of God Amelia Collins. [BW13:739; MC238, 245, 249–50]
- See also MoC14–15, 236.
- 1964-07-04 —
The House of Worship in Langenhain, Germany, the Mother Temple of Europe, was dedicated. [BW14:483–4]
The interior of the auditorium is bounded by 27 pillars, supporting the dome. Twenty-seven ribs lead from the floor to the apex of the dome, culminating in a ring which carries a lantern. The dome segments are arranged in a special way in order to permit full access of daylight. These produce an interesting play of lights and shadows, attractively brightened by the sun's reflexes on the 570 glass panels. The supporting parts of the structure consist of prefabricated concrete material reinforced by steel fillings, which were produced in the Netherlands.
- For the message of the Universal House of Justice see BW14:485–6.
- For pictures see BW14:482, 483, 485, 491.
- For a description of the teaching conference accompanying the dedication see BW14:586–8.
- See also MC14–15; PP432–4.
- See this brief film on Vimeo on the life of Anneliese Bopp and her part in the building of this Temple.
Specifics
Location: Frankfurt, Germany (near the village of Langenhain in the Taunus Hills)
Foundation Stone: 20 November 1960 by Hand of the Cause Amelia Collins representing the World Centre. She placed Sacred Dust from the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh in the foundations.
Construction Period: 1960-1964
Site Dedication:4 July 1964 Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum represented the Universal House of Justice.
Architect: Teuto Rocholl (plans approved by Shoghi Effendi)
Seating:450 – 600
Dimensions: Diameter at the base: 48m (158ft), Height from the base to the top of the dome: 28m (92ft), Outer diameter: 25m (82ft); Inner diameter: 23m (69ft), Inner height of the dome: 24m (72ft). Height 20.5m (67ft)
Cost:
Dependencies: A home for the aged.
Note: The construction of this temple was delayed by legal roadblocks instigated by church opposition, both Protestant and Catholic.
References: BW14p483, BW14p483-484, BW18p104, CEBF241
- 1966-05-19 — The first legally recognized Bahá'í wedding in Europe took place in Finland. [BW14:154]
- 1969-04-03 — The first European Youth Conference opened in Madrid, Spain. [BW15:329]
- 1970-12-25 —
The First International Bahá'í Youth Winter School took place in Salzburg, Austria, attended by 600 people from 25 countries. [BW15:332]
- For picture see BW15:332.
- 1971-04-00 —
The International Bahá'í Youth Conference took place at Oteppe-Namur, Belgium, launching a two-year youth campaign for Europe. [BW15:333–4]
- For picture see BW15:334.
- 1971-07-31 —
The European Youth Conference took place in Fiesch, Switzerland, attended by 1,200 youth from 50 countries. [BW15:336–8]
- About 200 people enrolled in the Bahá'í Faith during the conference. [BW15:336]
- For pictures see BW15:337.
- 1975-07-09 — The first International Bahá'í Youth Conference of Iceland took place in Njardvik with youth from nine countries. [BW16:301]
- 1976-08-03 —
An International Teaching Conference was held in Paris, attended by some 5,700 Bahá'ís. [BW17:81; DM416; VV33]
- For the message of the Universal House of Justice see BW17:131–2.
- For the message of Kurt Waldheim, Secretary-General of the United Nations, see BW17:140.
- For pictures see BW17:109, 117–19.
- 1977-06-01 — At the behest of the Universal House of Justice, two conferences were held for Persian-speaking Bahá'ís resident in Europe, one in Germany and one in London. [BW17:194]
- 1983-00-00 —
The Association for Bahá'í Studies, English-Speaking Europe, was established in the Republic of Ireland.
- Responsibility for the Association was transferred to the United Kingdom in 1989.
- 1985-07-26 —
The European Bahá'í Youth Conference was held in Antwerp, Belgium, in July 1985, and was attended by some 1,450 youth from 45 nations. The youth addressed the European Parliament and the Council of Europe in letters which told of their resolve to put into action the International Youth Year themes of 'Participation, Development and Peace'. The youth spoke of programs in which Bahá'ís were supporting the themes, including human rights education and social and economic development projects. [BW19:301]
- For picture see BW19:315.
- 1986-07-18 — The European Bahá'í Youth Movement is launched at the Bahá'í Youth School, Landegg Conference Centre, Switzerland. [BINS157:9–10; BINS158:10]
- 1988-08-03 — The first Iberian Youth Conference was held in Lisbon, attended by 120 Bahá'ís from nine European countries. [BINS181:6]
- 1989-07-01 — Five European Regional 'Peace Moves' Youth Conferences were held in different parts of the continent.
- 1989-07-02 — The first European Bahá'í Women's Conference was held at De Poort Conference Centre, the Netherlands. [BINS203:2]
- 1989-11-04 — The European Bahá'í Youth Council, comprised of seven youth and appointed by the Universal House of Justice to coordinate those European youth activities that have a continental impact, met for the first time, in London. [BINS213:4; BW93–4:121]
- 1990-00-04 —
The Italian Association for Bahá'í Studies was established in Rome. [BINS232:5]
- It lapsed in 1991 but was re-established in 1992.
- 1990-00-24 —
The formation of the European Bahá'í Business Forum in France with members from 26 countries in Europe and elsewhere. [VV115]
- Formed by a group of Bahá'ís active in business and management meeting in Chamonix, France, due to concern about the decline of ethics and values in business.
- Forum created to promote the moral and spiritual wisdom and principles of the great religious traditions of the world (sources included Judaism, Hinduism, and Christianity as well as the 19th century revelation of Bahá'u'lláh) such as adherence to the principles of justice, respect, trustworthiness, integrity and unity.
- Beginning as an informal network, its membership grew requiring the election of a Governing Board.
- Members have attached importance to sharing their broad experience and to contributing to the improvement of management in emerging free-market economies of Central and Eastern Europe. [ebbf]
- See The History of EBBF: Twenty-Five Years of Contributing to the Discourse of Ethics in Business by Francois Couillard.
- Under advice from the Universal House of Justice, EBBF changed its name from European Bahá'í Business Forum to the less parochial name Ethical Business Building the Future. [The above, pg45]
- ebbf website.
- 1990-11-22 — The First European Bahá'í Youth Encounter was held in the Canary Islands, attended by over 150 people from eight countries. [BINS239:1]
- 1991-07-16 —
The first European Bahá'í Youth Conference of Romania was held in Neptune. [BINS253:9; VV74]
- For picture see VV74.
- 1992-01-02 —
The first European Conference on Bahá'í Activities in Universities was held in Brno, Czechoslovakia. [BINS263:2]
- BINS290:2 gives a second report of this event, incorrectly implying it was held in January 1993.
- 1993-08-00 — The first International Bahá'í Youth Conference of Belarus was held, attended by 164 people from 16 countries. [BINS299:8; BINS306:7; BW93–4:123]
- 1993-10-02 — The first European Bahá'í Medical Conference was held in De Poort, Netherlands, attended by people from 26 countries. [BW93–4:104–5]
- 1994-07-20 — The European Bahá'í Youth Council sponsored five regional 'Shaping Europe' conferences, in Berlin, Bucharest, St Petersburg, Barcelona and Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. [BINS323:3–5; BW94–5:177–8, 189]
- 1995-06-08 — The First European Baha'i Conference on Law and International Order was held in De Poort, the Netherlands. The Dr Àziz Navidi Memorial Lecture, The Theme of Service in the Evolving World Order of Bahá'u'lláh was delivered 9 June by Kiser Barnes.
For the proceedings see Law and International Order: Proceedings of the First European Bahá'í Conference on Law and International Order and for a review of the book by Joshua Lincoln see Bahá'í Library Online. - 2009-07-02 — More than 20 members of the European Bahá'í Business Forum participated in the Global Ethics Forum, held at United Nations headquarters in Geneva. [BWNS722]
- 2015-10-01 — 2015 saw an unprecedented number of refugees to Europe fleeing the conflict in the Middle East, particularly from Syria. In response for their request for guildance, the Universal House of Justice in its message to the National Spiritual Assemblies, defined the principles to assist the Bahá'í communities through the social changes that must need follow such a migration. It stated that the Bahá'í community had insufficient resources at this stage of development for a response at the institutional level however the situation presented an opportunity for some individual believers to become involved to lend humanitarian assistance.
- 2016-04-19 —
The annual number of seminars for undergraduate students offered by the Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity rose from 21 at the start of the Plan to 39. More than 4,000 youth in more than 60 countries were served. -
The seminar for university graduates and for young professionals, first offered in North America in 2008, was extended to Australia, Europe, Latin America and south and Southeast Asia over the duration of the Plan. As of this date more than 700 individuals had taken part. [The Five Year Plan 2011-2016: Summary of Achievements and Learning pg113] iiiii
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