Faith Through the Ages - Today in Religious History
Pope Alexander VI issued the papal bull 'Inter Caetera', which divided newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal, establishing the Line of Demarcation and granting Spain control over the western hemisphere.
Mirza Husayn 'Ali Nuri, known as Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i Faith, was born in Tehran, Persia (now Iran). He claimed to be the latest in a line of divine messengers that includes Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad.
The Azusa Street Revival, a key event in the history of Pentecostalism, began in Los Angeles, California. Led by William J. Seymour, the revival lasted for several years and helped spread the Pentecostal movement around the world.
Pope Pius XII, who led the Catholic Church during World War II, died at the age of 82. His pontificate was marked by controversies over his response to the Holocaust and his role in the Cold War.
Pope Benedict XVI beatified Pope John Paul II, the former leader of the Catholic Church, in a ceremony at the Vatican. This was an important step towards John Paul II's eventual canonization as a saint.