Bahai Library Online

Chronology of the Bahá'í Faith

World Canada
   

Date 192-, sorted by date, ascending

date event tags firsts
1920 (in the year)
192-
The British Mandate for Palestine began. [BBR488]
  • For `Abdu'l-Bahá's attitude to the administration see BBR339.
  • For British accounts of `Abdu'l-Bahá and the Bahá'ís in this period see BBR339-43 and CH225-8.
  • For details see SA140-3.
  • * `Abdu'l-Bahá (chronology); History (general); Israel; Palestine; United Kingdom, History (general)
    1920 (in the year)
    192-
    The House of Bahá'u'lláh in Baghdád was seized by Shí'ís. [BBD109; GBF33; GPB356-7] Baghdad, Iraq; House of Bahá'u'lláh (Baghdad); Iraq
    1920 (in the year)
    192-
    Mírzá Ibráhím Khán, Ibtiháju'l-Mulk, was martyred in Rasht at the hands of the Jangalís. [BW18:387]
  • Momen reports the year of martyrdom as 1921. [Bahá'í History of Gílán by Moojan Momen]
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution; - Persecution, Deaths; Iran; Rasht, Iran
    1920 (in the year)
    192-
    Hyde and Clara Dunn arrived in Samoa enroute to Australia, the first Bahá'ís to visit the islands.
  • For a history of the development of the Faith in Australia and in New Zealand, from 1920 when the Hydes arrived until 1947 when the National Spiritual Assembly initiated a systematic teaching campaign, see Outpost of a World Religion: The Bahá'í Faith in Australia, 1920-1947 by Graham Hassall in Bahá'ís in the West SBBH Vol 14 pp201-226.
  • It is also available on Bahai-Library.com.
  • - First Bahá'ís by country or area; - Islands; Clara Dunn; Hyde Dunn; Samoa first to visit Samoa
    1920 (In the year)
    192-
    George Townshend became a Bahá'í, and sent a letter of acceptance of the Faith to `Abdu'l-Bahá. [GT49] - Hands of the Cause; Dublin, Ireland; George Townshend; Ireland
    1920 (in the year)
    192-
    Fanny Knobloch arrived in Mozambique, the first Bahá'í to visit this country. She gave some `drawing room talks' at the mansion of the Portuguese Governor-General and spoke at various clubs. [BW2p40] Fanny Knobloch; Mozambique first Bahá'í to visit Mozambique
    1920 (In the year)
    192-
    Agnes Parsons made her second pilgrimage. It was during this visit that 'Abdu'l-Baha charged her with the responsibility to arrange a convention for amity between the the coloured and the white races in Washington. [SYH124-125; TMW136] Agnes Parsons; Akka, Israel; Bahji, Israel; Haifa, Israel; Pilgrimage; Race amity
    1920 - 1922
    192-
    Laura and Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney visited China and the Far East from 1920 to 1922. [Film Early History of the Baha'í Faith in China 8 min 23 sec ] China; Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney; Laura Clifford Barney
    1920 early Jan
    192-
    The arrival of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's hand-built seven-seater Cunningham touring car made in Rochester NY by James Cunningham and Sons. The automobile probably cost in the range from $7,500 to $8.000 and was a gift from Mrs Ella Goodall Cooper. [Coachbuilt website]
    Mr. Fujita accompanied the shipment from the United States to Haifa where he maintained the car and was one of the drivers. The Master gave Shoghi Effendi instructions to see that it was cleared and delivered to the house after receiving notice of its arrival from Port Said. Although it was not a business day, he succeeded in getting the car delivered by taking the papers to the homes of various officials, asking them to sign the documents and give the necessary orders for the car of Sir 'Abdu'l-Baha 'Abbas to be delivered to Him at once.
    Although Abdul-Baha rode in the Cunningham car on occasions, it was predominantly used for transporting the pilgrims. The car has since been restored and pilgrims have the opportunity to see it. [PP28, Reflections on the Bahá'í Writings; PG126]
    * `Abdu'l-Bahá (chronology); * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Cars; Ella Goodall Cooper; Gifts; Haifa, Israel; Pilgrimage; Saichiro Fujita
    1920 Jan
    192-
    `Abdu'l-Bahá wrote a Tablet to a group in Chile. [SWAB:246-50] * `Abdu'l-Bahá, Writings and talks of; Chile
    1920 27 Jan
    192-
    The passing of Joseph H. Hannen, (b. January 27, 1920, Allegheny, Pennsylvania) Disciple of 'Abdu'l-Bahá a week after he was knocked down by a truck in Washington, DC. [Washington Evening Star 29 Jan 1920]

    It was Joseph Hannen who served as a note-taker for many of the talks of 'Abdu'l-Bahá during His tour in the United States. A number of the entries in Promulgation of Universal Peace have been accredited to him. [The Washington Times 28 January, 1928]

    'Abdu'l-Bahá sent the first Tablet of the Divine Plan to the southern states in care of Joseph. He and his wife Pauline taught the Faith to African Americans; among those they taught were Louis Gregory and Mrs. Pocahontas Pope. [Bahá'í Chronicles, Alain Locke: Faith and Philosophy pp 38-39 by Christopher Buck, Kalimat Press]

    He was buried with his wife, Pauline Amalie Knobloch Hannen (b. 29 August, 1874 d. 4 October, 1939) in Prospect Hill Cemetery, in Washington, DC. iiiii

    - Biography; - Births and deaths; - Disciples of `Abdu'l-Bahá; - In Memoriam; Allegheny, PA; Cemeteries and graves; Joseph Hannen; Pauline Hannen; Pocahontas Pope; Promulgation of Universal Peace (book); Tablets of the Divine Plan; United States (USA); Washington, DC, USA
    1920 Mar
    192-
    John and Louise Bosch pioneered in Tahiti until September, the first Bahá'ís to travel to the island.
  • See BW3p368 for an account of their stay written by Louise.
  • John Bosch; Louise Bosch; Tahiti the first Bahá'ís to travel to Tahiti
    1920 Apr
    192-
    Mírzá Asadu'lláh Fádil-i-Mázandarání arrived in North America with Manúchihr Khán in time to speak at the National Convention. [AB443; SBR88; PG127]
  • His purpose was to assist and stimulate the Bahá'í communities (1920-1921). [AB443]
  • He stayed for one year. [AB443]
  • He visited North America again in 1923-1925 at the request of Shoghi Effendi and arrived in time to speak at the World Unity Conference in San Francisco in March of 1925. [Li47; Fádl Mázandarání, Mírzá Asadu'lláh by Moojan Momen]
  • See Jináb-i-Fádil Mazandarání in the United States by Fadl Mazandarani (published as Jinab-i-Fadil Mazandarani) compiled by Omeed Rameshni for transcripts of his talks.
  • See SoW Vol 14 for photo.
  • Conventions, National; Manuchihr Khan; Mírzá Asadullah Fadil-i-Mazandarani; United States (USA)
    1920 Apr
    192-
    Louis Bourgeois was selected as the architect for the Chicago House of Worship. [DP94; GPB303; SBBH1:145]
  • For details of the designs and selection process see DP76-100.
  • See CT159 for the source of inspiration for the design.
  • See FMH75-76 for details of a visit by Willard and Doris McKay to his home. He reported that "the inspiration for the Temple was from another realm and that he had been conscious, from the beginning, that Bahá'ulláh was the creator of the building."
  • - Architects; - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Design; - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Architecture; Chicago, IL; Louis Bourgeois; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette; United States (USA); Wilmette, IL first House of Worshp
    1920 3 Apr
    192-
    The founders of Teheran branch of Societé Nonahalan 'Children's Savings Fund' were Mirza Mohammed Tabib, Miss Lillian Kappes, Mirza Nuredin, Doctor Susan Moody, and Goodsea Ashraf Khanom. [Women's Worlds in Qajar Iran]

    The Bahá'í Children's Savings Company, known in Iran as Shirkat-i Nawnahalan, began as a savings bank for Bahá'í children in 1917 and was founded through 'Abdu'l-Bahá's encouragement. [Bahá'í Teachings 4 Oct 2012]

    Children's Savings Fund (Iran); Goodsea Ashraf Khanom; Iran; Lillian Kappes; Mírzá Mohammed Tabib; Mírzá Nuredin; Nawnahalan; Nonahalan Society; Susan Moody; Tehran, Iran
    1920 10 Apr
    192-
    Clara and Hyde Dunn arrived in Sydney, Australia. [AB445] SBR158 says this was 18 Apr 1919.
  • They are thought to be the first Bahá'í pioneers to have arrived at their post after the release of the Tablets of the Divine Plan. [G. Hassel]
  • Within three years they had visited 225 towns. [Keynote address by Dr. Vahid Saberi at the Heroes Teaching Conference 6-7 April, 2019]
  • By the time Hyde passed away in Sydney in 1941 the Bahá'í Teachings had been taken to every State; Local Spiritual Assemblies had been established in Auckland, Sydney and Adelaide; the National Spiritual Assembly had been established in 1934 and the Yerrinbool Bahá'í School had been inaugurated in 1938. [Spiritual conquerors of this wide, brown land by Graham Hassall]
  • In 2020 the Australian community commemorated the centenary this event.
  • A 26-page booklet called A Vision of Unity was published.
  • See Outpost of a World Religion: The Bahá'í Faith in Australia 1920-1947 by Graham Hassall in SBBH14 p201 and in Journal of Religious History, 16:3, pages 315-338 1991-06.
  • - Biography; - Hands of the Cause; Australia; Clara Dunn; Hyde Dunn; Sydney, Australia the first Bahá'í pioneers to have arrived at their post after the release of the Tablets of the Divine Plan
    1920 20 Apr
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi left Haifa for France with the intention of taking up his study of English at Oxford University. As instructed by 'Abdu'l-Bahá he stayed in a sanitarium in Neuilly (Maison d'Hydrothérapie et de convalescence du Parc de Neuilly, 6 Boulevard du Château, Neuilly-sur-Seine) before leaving for England in July. [SEO58]
  • See AY179-186 for and account of Shoghi Effendi's stay in the Paris area. According to Marzieh Gail he was probably in the area from about the 9th of April until the 13th of July.
  • * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Balliol College, Oxford University; France; Haifa, Israel; Neuilly, France; Oxford, England; Shoghi Effendi at Oxford; United Kingdom
    1920 27 Apr
    192-
    `Abdu'l-Bahá was invested with the insignia of the Knighthood of the British Empire as Sir Abbas Effendi in a ceremony in Haifa. [AB443; BBRXXX, 343-5; CH214; DH149; GPB306; The Glorious Journey by Craig Weaver and Helen Bond p19]
  • For the document recommending `Abdu'l-Bahá for knighthood, see BBR344.
  • The knighthood was in recognition of `Abdu'l-Bahá's humanitarian work during the war for famine relief. [AB443]
  • He accepted the honour as a gift from a `just king'. [AB443]
  • He did not use the title. [AB443]
  • For Lady Blomfield's account see AB443-4 and CH214-15.
  • See SoW vol 13 No 11 p298.
  • See Senn McGlinn's Abdu'l-Baha's British knighthood.
  • * `Abdu'l-Bahá, Basic timeline; * `Abdu'l-Bahá (chronology); - Basic timeline, Expanded; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Knighthood (KBE); Abu-Sinan, Israel; Charity and relief work; Haifa, Israel; Israel; Lady Sarah Louisa Blomfield; Palestine; Social and economic development; United Kingdom; World War I
    1920 27 Apr
    192-
    The design for the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar at Wilmette, Illinois, was finally chosen by the forty-nine delegates present at the Twelfth Annual Convention of Bahá'í Temple Unity, being held at the Hotel McAlpin, New York. Excavation at the site began on the 24th of September and construction commenced on the 20th of December. - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Design; - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Architecture; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette; New York, USA; United States (USA); Wilmette, IL
    1920 mid July - mid October
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi arrived in England to take up his studies at Oxford. His stated objective was:

      "My sole aim is to perfect my English, to acquire the literary ability to write it well, speak it well & translate correctly & eloquently from Persian & Arabic into English. My aim is to concentrate for two years upon this object & to acquire it through the help of a tutor, by attending lectures, by associating with cultured & refined literary circles & by receiving exercises in Phonetics. I would be much obliged if you could help me along that line." [SEO61]
  • He spent one week in London. He brought with him Tablets from the Master for Lady Blomfield, Lord Lamington and Major Tudor-Pole.
  • 21 July: Shoghi Effendi met Dr. Esslemont at a meeting of the believers Lindsay Hall in Notting Hill Gate. The meeting was also attended by Mr and Mrs Ober visiting from America.
  • 22 July: Dr Esslemont called on Shoghi Effendi at his hotel and they went to Miss Grand's home were the Obers were staying.
  • 23 July: Dr Esslemont met Shoghi Effendi at Miss Rosenberg's and together they went to the Grand home where some 17 people were introduced to the Faith. [PG141]
  • 26 July: Dr Esslemont came to London to meet Shoghi Effendi and they both visited Miss Herrick. [PG142]
  • He relocated to Oxford and stayed at the Randolph Hotel. He met with professors and looked for tutors. [PG142]
  • Probably in the early days of August Shoghi Effendi met with Lord Lamington. [PG142]
  • Although it was still the long vacation Shoghi Effendi started his work with the assistance of a tutor. [PG142]
  • 10-15 September: Shoghi Effendi visited Dr Esslemont at the sanitorium where he practiced in Bournemouth. They were joined by Shoghi Effendi's sister Rúhangíz and by a Persian believer Aflátún. [PG142-143]
  • * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); * Translation; Bournemouth, England; London, England; Oxford, England; Shoghi Effendi at Oxford; United Kingdom
    1920 17 May
    192-
    The Tablet to the Central Organization for a Durable Peace was delivered to the Executive Comittee in The Hague.

    Ahmad Yazdáni and 'Alí Muhammad 'Ibn-i-Asdaq learned that the Central Organization had been all but dissolved and that the Executive Committee's objective, to hold a third peace conference, had been surpassed by their country's membership in the recently formed League of Nations in Geneva. [AB438; BBD1 15; GPB308; EB176]

  • See also The Journey of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Tablet to The Hague. It is a photographic chronology by Jelle and Adib de Vries of the Netherlands.
  • See BWNS1378 and BWNS1431.
  • It was printed in the Star of the West Vol 11 No 8 1 August 1920.

    On the 12th of June, the Executive Committee of the Central Organization for a Durable Peace in The Hague responded to 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Tablet. Ahmad Yazdani immediately forwarded it to Haifa.

  • * `Abdu'l-Bahá, Basic timeline; * `Abdu'l-Bahá, Writings and talks of; * `Abdu'l-Bahá (chronology); - Basic timeline, Expanded; Central Organization for a Durable Peace; Haifa, Israel; Ibn-i-Asdaq (Mírzá `Alí-Muhammad); Lawh-i-Hague (Tablet to The Hague); Netherlands; Peace; The Hague, Netherlands; World peace
    1920 21 May
    192-
    The execution at Sultánábád of Hájí `Arab by hanging. [BBRXXX, 444-6; BW18:387] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution; - Persecution, Deaths; Iran; Sultanabad, India
    1920 24 May
    192-
    Charles Greenleaf, (b. 6 May, 1857 in Wisconsin), Disciple of `Abdu'l-Bahá, passed away at the home of William Harry Randall in Boston. He was interred in Rosehill Cemetery and Mausoleum, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA Show Map Section K Lot 42. [SBR105; Find a grave]
  • For details of his life see SBR97-105.
  • For his obituary see SW11, 19:321-2.
  • - Biography; - Births and deaths; - Disciples of `Abdu'l-Bahá; - In Memoriam; Boston, MA; Charles Greenleaf; Massachusetts, USA; United States (USA); William Harry Randall
    1920 11 Jun
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi made application to Balliol College at Oxford University as a non-collegiate student for a period of two years. [PG134] * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Balliol College, Oxford University; France; Neuilly, France; Oxford, England; Shoghi Effendi at Oxford; United Kingdom; Universities
    1920 Jul-Aug
    192-
    Fanny Knobloch, the first Bahá'í teacher in South Africa, arrived in Cape Town. [BW2:40].
  • In her first week she met Miss Busby who within a very short time is the first person to become a Bahá'í in South Africa.
  • Cape Town, South Africa; Fanny Knobloch; South Africa first Bahá'í in South Africa; the first Bahá'í teacher in South Africa
    1920 Jul
    192-
    Harlan and Grace Ober made a pilgrimage to visit 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Haifa. They returned via Germany and England where they had the privilege of meeting Shoghi Effendi, then a student at Oxford. In Germany, at the suggestion of 'Abdu'l-Bahá they went to Leipzig where they spoke about the Faith at the Theosophical Society where two persons accepted the Faith. One was future Hand of the Cause Dr Hermann Grossmann and the other was Frau Lina Benke who shared the message with her husband George Adam Benke, the first European martyr. [BW13p869] George Benke; Germany; Grace Robarts Ober; Haifa, Israel; Harlan Ober; Hermann Grossmann; Leipzig, Germany; Lina Benke; Oxford, England; Pilgrimage
    1920 1 Jul
    192-
    'Abdu'l-Bahá sent His second Tablet to The Hague.
  • In this second Tablet `Abdu'l-Bahá defined the Bahá'í peace program and covered a wide spectrum of peace-producing Bahá'í social and spiritual teachings. [BW3:12]
  • It was printed in the Star of the West Vol 11 No 17 19 January, 1921.
  • See as well 'Abdu'l-Bahá Champion of Universal Peace by Hoda Mahmoudi and Janet Khan.
  • * `Abdu'l-Bahá, Writings and talks of; Central Organization for a Durable Peace; Lawh-i-Hague (Tablet to The Hague); Netherlands; Second Tablet to The Hague; The Hague, Netherlands
    1920 8 Jul
    192-
    August Rudd, a Swede who had becme a Bahá'í in America, returned to his native country, to become the first Bahá'í in Sweden. [BWT8:980-2]. August Rudd; Sweden The the first Bahá'í in Sweden
    1920 19 Jul
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi departed from France two weeks after receiving 'Abdu'l-Bahá's permission to study at Oxford. According to Dr J. Fallscheer, the German woman physician that 'Abdu'l-Bahá had engaged to attend to the ladies of His household, 'Abdu'l-Bahá had decided to send Shoghi Effendi to England while he was still in high school. [PG137-138] * `Abdu'l-Bahá (chronology); * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Balliol College, Oxford University; France; Josephine Fallscheer; Oxford, England; Paris, France; Shoghi Effendi at Oxford; United Kingdom
    1920 28 Jul
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi journeyed from Oxford to London to attend the weekly public Bahá'í meeting at Lindsay Hall in Notting Hill Gate. Ethel Rosenberg welcomed Shoghi Effendi, Dr. John Esslemont, who was visiting from Bournemouth, Helen Grand and Grace and Harlan Ober from the United States also attended. After short introductory remarks from Miss Rosenberg, both Grace and Harlan Ober spoke. Shoghi Effendi chanted a Persian prayer. [EJR228] * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Ethel Rosenberg; Grace Robarts Ober; Harlan Ober; Helen Grand; John Esslemont; London, England; United Kingdom
    1920 After Jul
    192-
    The first Argentineans to become Bahá'ís, Hermann Grossmann and his sister Elsa Grossman, accepted the Faith in Leipzig in 1920.
  • They were born in Argentina and emigrated to Germany in 1909.
  • Dr Grossman heard of the Faith at a public meeting given by Harlan and Grace Ober at the Theosophical Society. [BW13:869]
  • - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Elsa Grossmann; Germany; Grace Robarts Ober; Harlan Ober; Hermann Grossmann; Leipzig, Germany; Theosophical Society The first Argentineans to become Bahá'ís, Hermann Grossman and his sister Elsa Grossman,
    1920 Sep
    192-
    The tombs of the King of Martyrs and the Beloved of Martyrs in Isfahán were demolished by a mob. [BBR437; LB94]
  • For Western responses see BBR437-9.
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution; - Persecution, Destruction; - Persecution, Mobs; Cemeteries and graves; Iran; Isfahan, Iran; King of Martyrs and Beloved of Martyrs; Mírzá Muhammad-Hasan (King of Martyrs); Mírzá Muhammad-Husayn (Beloved of Martyrs)
    1920 24 Sep
    192-
    Boring began at the site of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár in Wilmette to determine the depth of the bedrock. [DP104]
  • Soon afterwards construction began. [DP108]
  • - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette; United States (USA); Wilmette, IL
    1920 Oct
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi entered Balliol College, Oxford University. [CB284; DH149; GBF11-12]
  • For his purpose in going to Oxford see GBF12.
  • For his time in Oxford see PP34-8.
  • A Q Faizi is reported to have said, during a talk to pilgrims in May-June, 1965 that "Shoghi Effendi was sent to Oxford to protect him from potential enemies, not to learn English or be educated." [SDSC273]
  • * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Basic timeline, Expanded; Balliol College, Oxford University; Oxford, England; Shoghi Effendi at Oxford; United Kingdom; Universities
    1920 Oct
    192-
    Mírzá Mustafá was killed at Farúgh, Fárs, and other Bahá'ís were imprisoned. [BW18:387]
  • He was appointed as one of the Apostles of Bahá'u'lláh.
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Apostles of Bahá'u'lláh; - Persecution; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution, Deaths; Fars, Iran; Farugh, Iran; Iran
    1920 16 Oct
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi at Oxford - The Michaelmas Term 1920

  • Because there wasn't a vacancy in Balliol College, Shoghi Effendi could not register during the first term. Although he was not registered in the College he attended every day and took instruction from tutors. During this time he took lodgings at 45 Broad Street. [PG151-155]
  • 23 October: Shoghi Effendi officially matriculated in the Non-Collegiate Delegacy, a week after starting lectures for the Michaelmas term (Oct-Christmas, or, more formally Michaelmas term — 13 Sundays before to 5 Sundays before the feast day of St Hilary). [PG157]
  • Shoghi Effendi hosted a visit from his childhood friend Ali Yazdi who was on his way to America to enroll at UC Berkley where he enrolled in an engineering program the following year. [RG 158-159]
           There he met and married Marion Carpenter in 1926. The couple went on pilgrimage in 1928. Shoghi Effendi and Ali Yazdi remained friends until the end of the Guardian's life. [UP-The Guardian Part VII]
  • * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Oxford, England; Shoghi Effendi at Oxford; United Kingdom
    1920 Dec
    192-
    The passing of Hájí Mírzá Haydar-Alí Isfaháni known as 'the Angel of Mount Carmel' in Haifa. He was buried in the Bahá'í Cemetery on Mount Carmel. [BBD98; EB250]
  • Acting on the request of 'Abdu'l-Bahá he wrote Bahá'í Martyrdoms in Persia in the Year 1903 AD. It covered the events from March to September and was published in English as a 28-page book in 1904 and 1917.
  • For the story of his life see RB2:438–50.
  • For his biography see EB237-50.
  • His autobiography was published as Stories from the Delight of Hearts - The Memoirs of Hají Mírzá Haydar-Alí, was translated by A Q Faizi and published by Kalimat in 1980.
  • - Biography; - Births and deaths; - In Memoriam; Cemeteries and graves; Haifa, Israel; Hájí Mírzá Haydar-`Alí (Angel of Carmel)
    1920 1 Dec
    192-
    Lillian Frances Kappes,(b. 1878 in Hoboken, New Jersey), died of typhus fever in Tihrán. [BFA2:361; SW11, 19:324-5, AY211-212]
    • She had gone to Tihrán nine years previously to help set up the Tarbíyat School for Girls. [SW11, 19:3 24]
    • She was buried next to the tomb of Varqa.
    • See Bahá'í Chronicles.
    - Biography; - Births and deaths; - In Memoriam; Iran; Lillian Kappes; Tarbiyat School, Tihran; Tehran, Iran
    1920 27-29 Dec
    192-
    The first All-India Bahá'í Convention was held in Bombay with 175 in attendance. [AB446; BBRSM194; 115] - First conferences; Conferences, Bahá'í; India; Mumbai, India The first All-India Bahá'í Convention
    1921 - 1980
    192-
    The Bahá'í community of Iran began publishing a monthly magazine called Aḵbār-e amrī, a publication whose name means "News of the Cause". Containing the holy writings of the Bahá'í faith, domestic and foreign Bahá'í news, official announcements of Bahá'í administrative bodies, and articles on various aspects of the Faith, the magazine became a vital means of communication and a register of the main historical events for six decades until its closing in 1980. It was published by "Lajnih-yi Nashr-i Nafahát" (Committee for the Diffusion of the Divine Fragrances) until 1978 and then by Mahfil-i Ruhání-yi Millí-yi Baháiyán-i Írán (National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Iran) [BAHAISM v. The Bahai Community in Iran by V. Rafati; BWNS1289]
  • Scanned copies from B.E. 102 to B.E. 111 and B.E. 116 were taken from bound copies of the journal originally owned by Mr Hormuzdiar Sabet and contain his annotations, frequently noting the original English text that has been translated in the journal.
  • * Publications; - First publications; - Newsletters; - Periodicals; Akhbar-i-Amri (News of the Cause); Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Iran
    1921 - 1944/46
    192-
    The beginning of The First Epoch of the Formative Age. [Message from the Universal House of Justice dated 5 February 1986; Mess63-86 p710-716]
  • See the attachment for the above-referenced message entitled The Epochs of the Formative Age prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.
  • It began with the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and ended with the conclusion of the first Seven Year Plan pursued by the Bahá'ís of North America under Shoghi Effendi's direction in which the skeleton of the Administrative Order was set up. [Mess86-01p815]
  • Cycles, Eras, Ages and Epochs; Formative Age
    1921 - 1936
    192-
    The years 1921 to 1936 were labelled by the Guardian as a "Period of Preparation" during which there were no concerted plans of action assigned to national communities.

    "Its initiation, (The Tablets of the Divine Plan) officially and on a vast scale, had, for well nigh twenty years, been held in abeyance, while the processes of a slowly emerging administrative Order, were, under the unerring guidance of Providence, creating and perfecting the agencies for its efficient and systematic prosecution." [WOB78]

    * Teaching Plans; Period of Preparation
    1921 (In the year)
    192-
    The birth of Eduardo Duarte Vieira, the first African Bahá'í martyr, was born in Portuguese Guinea. - Births and deaths; Eduardo Duarte Vieira; Guinea Bissau; Portuguese Guinea
    1921 (In the year)
    192-
    The Kingdom of Iraq under British Administration or Mandatory Iraq began. It would last until 1932. [Mandatory Iraq] House of Bahá'u'lláh (Baghdad); Iraq
    1921 (In the year)
    192-
    A journal called Bahá'í News started publishing in English and Persian. [BWNS1289] * Publications; - First publications; - Periodicals; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Bahá'í News; India first Baha'i periodical in India
    1921 (After Mandate)
    192-
    After the establishment of British control of Iraq and the appearance of religious freedom and greater security, 'Abdu'l-Bahá authorized repairs to begin on the House. The renovations attracted the attention of neighbouring Shi'as and, after the passing of the custodian, Muhammad Husayn Bábí, they sued for possession on the grounds that he had no heirs. [SETPE1p25] Baghdad, Iraq; House of Bahá'u'lláh (Baghdad); Iraq
    1921 (In the year)
    192-
    The publication of Bahai: The Spirit of the Age by Horace Holley. It was published in New York by Brentano's Publishers. * Publications; Bahá'í, The Spirit of the Age; Horace Holley; New York, USA; United States (USA)
    1921 (In the year)
    192-
    The publication of Abdul Baha in London; Addresses, & Notes of Conversations (American edition). Published by the Bahai Publishing Society in Chicago. Chicago, IL
    1921 (In the year)
    192-
    Mohi al-Din al-Kurdi, (Sheikh Muhyí's-Dín Sabrí) a Bahá'í from Egypt, from the noble elders of Al-Azhar, arrived in Tunisia to make known the message of Bahá'u'lláh. [Website of the Bahá'ís of Tunisia]
  • 100 year later this event was commemorated. [BWNS1577]
  • - Pioneers; Egypt; Mohieddine Kurdi; Tunisia
    1921 (In the year)
    192-
    The first publication in Chinese was published by the Bahá'ís in Shanghai. [Video Early history of the Bahá'í Faith in China 7min40sec] Shanghai, China the first publication in Chinese was published by the Bahá'ís in Shanghai.
    1921 Jan - mid Mar
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi at Oxford - The Hilary Term 1921
  • Permission was issued by the Non-Collegiate Delegacy for the migration of Shoghi Effendi into Balliol. He now had the privilege of living in the college and fully participating in college life. [PG161]
  • Shoghi Effendi continued his translation work while at Oxford. During the second term (Jan - Easter or, more formally Hilary term — 1 Sunday to 9 Sundays after the feast day of St Hilary). Some examples are: Persian Hidden Words, the Tablet of Visitation, Arabic Hidden Words and the Epistle to Queen Victoria.
  • He read a paper on the Faith to the Oxford University Asiatic Society. For the full text of the paper see PG227-240. The paper was serialized in "The Dawn", a monthly Bahá'í journal of Burma in 1923 - 1924. [PG168-169, 259]
  • * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); * Translation; - Newsletters; Dawn, The (newsletter); Myanmar; Oxford, England; Oxford University Asiatic Society; Shoghi Effendi, Writings of; Shoghi Effendi at Oxford; United Kingdom
    1921 23 Jan
    192-
    Mírzá Ya`qúb-i-Muttahidih was assassinated in Kirmánsháh. [BBRXXX, 446-50; BW18:387; GPB299]
  • He was the last to lay down his life in the ministry of `Abdu'l-Bahá. GPB299]
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution; - Persecution, Deaths; Iran; Kirmánsháh, Iran
    1921 Feb
    192-
    The Shi'a petition for the possession of the House in Baghdád was granted and the Bahá'is were evicted. [SETPE1p25] Baghdad, Iraq; House of Bahá'u'lláh (Baghdad); Iraq
    1921 1 Feb
    192-
    Leonora Holsapple Armstrong, the first Bahá'í pioneer in Latin America, arrived in Rio de Janeiro. She had departed New York on the SS Vasari on the 15th of January. [Baha'iBlog]
  • See a talk by Kristine Ascunsion Young, the great-grand niece of Leonora Holsapple Armstrong. The discourse begins at about 2:30.
  • Brazil; Leonora Holsapple Armstrong; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
    1921 Feb
    192-
    Ahmad Sháh, who succeeded to the throne at age 11, (reigned 1909–25) was deposed in a coup d'état led by Reza Khán who appointed himself prime minister. He ruled as Reza Sháh Pahlaví between 1925–41. - Shahs; - Shahs, Throne changes; Ahmad Shah; History (general); Iran; Iran, General history; Qajar dynasty; Reza Shah Pahlavi
    1921 Mar
    192-
    Two Bahá'í publications began, Sonne der Wahrheit, meaning Sun of Truth, and Wirklichkeit, meaning Reality. [BWNS1289; German Bahá'í website archive] * Publications; - First publications; - Periodicals; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Germany; Sonne der Wahrheit (Sun of Truth); Wirklichkeit (Reality) first Baha'i publications in Germany
    1921 mid Mar - 20 Apr
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi at Oxford - Spring Vacation 1921
  • 27 March: He visited his sister Rúhangíz in Scotland during the early part of his spring vacation.
  • In all likelihood, at some point he visited London and stayed at the home of Mírzá Yúhaná Dáwúd. [PG171]
  • Shoghi Effendi and spent the latter part of the vacation period in Sussex where he spent a few days in Fermote Villa for rest following 'Abdu'l-Bahá's instructions to do so. [PG171]
  • He continued to work on translations during this period. [PG171]
  • * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Oxford, England; Scotland; Shoghi Effendi at Oxford; Sussex, England; United Kingdom
    1921 21 Mar
    192-
    Construction began on the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár in Wilmette. DP108]
  • See DP107 for a picture of Bahá'ís inaugurating the construction of Foundation Hall.
  • Note: The Bahá'í Faith 1844-1952 Information Statistical & Comparative p.5 says construction commenced in December 1920.
  • - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette; United States (USA); Wilmette, IL
    1921 Apr
    192-
    The Minister of Justice overturned an earlier ruling and possession of the House of Bahá'u'lláh in Baghdád was returned to the Bahá'ís. [SETPE1p25] Baghdad, Iraq; House of Bahá'u'lláh (Baghdad); Iraq
    1921 spring
    192-
    Dr Genevieve Coy was chosen as the director of the Tarbíyat School for Girls in Tihrán to replace Lillian Kappes. [SBR203] Genevieve Coy; Iran; Tarbiyat School, Tihran; Tehran, Iran
    1921 25 Apr - 23 Jun
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi at Oxford - The Trinity Term at Balliol College 1921

  • The Trinity Term — 15 Sundays to 21 Sundays after the feast day of St Hilary.
  • In order to not waste any time during his stay at Oxford, in the first part of this term he made plans for a competent tutor to work with him during the upcoming long vacation. [PG173]
    • He sought the assistance of Ethel Rosenburg and Miss Cropper to secure a place with Reynold Nicholson as his tutor. He was professor of Persian and Arabic at Cambridge and was known for his translation of Rumi into English. [SEO106]
    • During this term he was able to socialize with his fellow students and participate in college clubs such as the Lotus Club where he presented a paper. [PG177]
    • 4 May: Shoghi Effendi presented a paper to the Bahá'í community in London. [PG177]
  • * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Oxford, England; Reynold Nicholson; Shoghi Effendi at Oxford; United Kingdom
    1921 19-21 May
    192-
    The first Race Amity Conference was held in Washington DC at the old First Congregational Church, 10th & G Streets NW. This church had a reputation for opposition to racial prejudice and had close ties with Howard University. It had a capacity of 2,000. [BW2:281; CoO197; SYH126]

    Referring back to this historic event, Abdu'l-Baha, in a Tablet to Roy Williams (an African-American Baha'i from New York City), wrote:

      I hope that the Congress of the White and the Colored that was instituted will have great influence in the inhabitants of America, so that everyone may confess and bring witness that the teachings of His Holiness, Baha'u'llah, assembles the White, the Black, the Yellow, the Red and the Brown under the shade of the pavilion of the Oneness of the World of Humanity; and that if the teachings of His Holiness, Baha'u'llah, be not enforced, the antagonism between the Colored and the White, in America, will give rise to great calamities. The ointment for this wound and the remedy for this disease is only the Holy Breaths [Holy Spirit]. If the hearts be attracted to the Heavenly Bounties, surely will the White and the Colored, in a short time, according to the teachings of Baha'u'llah, put away hatred and animosity and [abide in] perfect love and fellowship. (Haifa, August 2, 1921, translated by Touhi [Ruhi] M. Afnan.) [The Bahá'í "Pupil of the Eye" Metaphor—What Does it Mean? by Christopher Buck]
  • Martha Root handled the newspaper publicity for the conference and 'Abdu'l-Bahá sent a message to it via Mountfort Mills. [SYH126]
  • Mabry and Sadie Oglesby and their daughter Bertha from Boston as well as Agnes Parsons and Louis Gregory were involved. Agnes Parsons, during her pilgrimage in 1920, was instructed by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, "I want you to arrange in Washington a convention for unity between the white and colored people."[SETPE1p141-145, BW2p281]
  • For details of the conference see the article by Louis Gregory entitled "Inter-racial Amity". [BW2:281-2]
  • See article The Bahá'í 'Race Amity' Movement and the Black Intelligentsia in Jim Crow America:Alain Locke and Robert Abbot by Christopher Buck [Bahá'í Studies Review, 17, pages 3-46, 2011] (includes a chronology of 29 Race Amity conferences organized in the United States between 1921 and 1935).
  • The Washington Bee (which, as part of its masthead, billed itself "Washington's Best and Leading Negro Newspaper") published the text of the entire speech on May 25, 1912, in an article headlined, "Abdue [ sic] Baha: Revolution in Religious Worship."
  • Documentary: 'Abdu'l-Baha's Initiative on Race from 1921: Race Amity Conferences.
  • See the film Root of the Race Amiy Movement.
  • See the trailer for the film An American Story: Race Amity and the Other Tradition.
  • See the website for the National Centre for Race Amity.
  • - First conferences; Agnes Parsons; Conferences, Race Amity; Louis G. Gregory; Mabry Oglesby; Martha Root; Mountfort Mills; Race; Race amity; Race unity; Sadie Oglesby; United States (USA); Washington, DC, USA First Race Amity Conference
    1921 29 May
    192-
    Alessandro Bausani, the Italian Bahá'í who was an Islamic scholar, linguist and historian of comparative religions, was born in Rome. Alessandro Bausani; Italy; Rome, Italy
    1921 summer
    192-
    Siegfried Schopflocher, Hand of the Cause of God, became a Bahá'í. - Hands of the Cause; Siegfried Schopflocher
    1921 20 Jun - 3 Oct
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi at Oxford - The Long Vacation 1921

  • Those students who wished to continue their studies during the vacation were required to move to an annex situated near Manchester College known as Holywell Annexe.
  • His English style was influenced by his reading of the King James Bible as well as British historians Thomas Carlyle and Edward Gibbons, the author of The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. [SEO106; PP37]
  • At some point during this period of his residency in England Shoghi Effendi made the acquaintance of Sir E Denison Ross, the first director of the University of London's School of Oriental Studies. He was the British Empire's leading scholar of the Persian and Arabic languages. His opinion was the gold standard and he had high praise for Shoghi Effendi's translation of The Dawn-Breakers. [PP216]
  • Shoghi Effendi met with Edna True at her hotel in London as she was passing through. [PG178]
  • He visited Dr. Esslemont in Bournemouth probably around the 20th of July for two weeks. [PG179]
  • 26 July: He went to London to meet his sister and went with her to the home of Mrs Thornburgh-Cropper. [PG179]
  • At some point during the vacation he visited Crow-borough. [PG179]
  • Obedient to the instructions of the Master he spent some time during the break in rest in Torquay in August, at least from the 10th to the 29th of the month. [PG179-180]
  • 25 September (approx.) He travelled to London to sent his sister to Scotland to resume her studies. She had been staying with Mrs Thornburg-Cropper (at 20 Bloomsbury Square?). While there he met with Lady Blomfield. [PG181]
  • 1 to 6 October: Shoghi Effendi and his friend Díyá'u'lláh Asgharzádih travelled to Manchester, a community of some thirty believers. They stayed at the home of Jacob Joseph where a meeting of the community was held that evening. The group sent a letter to the Master which Shoghi Effendi translated the following day. He also sent a report of the situation in Manchester to the Master. [PG182-190]
  • See PG206-207 for a photo of Shoghi Effendi with the Manchester Bahá'ís and with the Joseph brothers.
  • See PG193 for a subsequent note from Shoghi Effendi to the friends in Manchester.
  • See PG193-194 for the Master's response to their joint supplication dated 18 October, 1921 and excerpts from Tablets to individuals.
  • * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Bournemouth, England; London, England; Manchester, England; Oxford, England; Shoghi Effendi at Oxford; Torquay, England; United Kingdom
    1921 Jul-Aug
    192-
    Bahá'ís of Zoroastrian background were harassed by the Zoroastrian agent in Qum. [BW18:388] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution; Iran; Qom, Iran
    1921 9 Jul
    192-
    Mírzá Asadu'lláh Fádil-i-Mázandarání left the United States for the Holy Land. [AB443footnote] - Bahá'í World Centre; Mírzá Asadullah Fadil-i-Mazandarani; United States (USA)
    1921 20 Aug-19 Sep
    192-
    Agnes Alexander visited Korea, the first Bahá'í to do so. [BW2:44] Agnes Alexander; Korea the first Bahá'í to visit Korea.
    1921 Sep - Apr 1922
    192-
    Roy Wilhelm had sent three generators to the Holy Land and had asked permission from 'Abdu'l-Bahá to have Curtis Kelsey come and install them. His request was granted and Curtis spent from September, 1921 until April, 1922 in the Holy Land. The units were installed at the Shrine of the Báb, (See SETPE1p38) at Bahjí (See SETPE1p55) and at the home of 'Abdu'l-Bahá at #7 Haparsin Street. The work was completed at all three locations on the last day of Ridván, 1922. [BW15p468-473] * `Abdu'l-Bahá (chronology); * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Bahá'í World Centre; Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Bahá'u'lláh, Shrine of (Bahjí); Bahji, Israel; Curtis Kelsey; Electrification of the Shrines; Haifa, Israel; Roy C. Wilhelm first lighting of the Holy Shrines.
    1921 21 Sep
    192-
    'Abdu'l-Bahá wrote a 4,000 word Tablet for Dr Auguste Forel in response to a letter He received from him. The Tablet can be found at bahai.org, as well as in The Bahá'í World Vol. XV, pp. 37–43.

    Shoghi Effendi wrote of this Tablet: [GPB307]

      The famous scientist and entomologist, Dr. Auguste Forel, was converted to the Faith through the influence of a Tablet sent him by 'Abdu'l‑Bahá—one of the most weighty the Master ever wrote.
  • See The Kingdom of Existence by Dr Ali Murád Dávudí. In addition to Dr. Forel´s biography and the text of the tablet addressed to him by Abdu´l-Bahá, contains Dr. Dávúdí's extensive studies of the tablet, as well as a glossary of terms that offers more explanations about its contents.
  • * `Abdu'l-Bahá, Writings and talks of; `Alí Murad Davudi; Auguste Forel; Haifa, Israel; Tablet to Auguste Forel
    1921 Fall 1921 - Spring 1922
    192-
    Louis Gregory set out on his teaching trip that was described as "one of the most brilliant Baha'i Teaching Tours we have ever been privileged to have in they country". [TMW122]

    He visited the following cities: Oberlin, OH; Cleveland, OH; Chicago, IL; Minneapolis, MH; St Paul, MN; Duluth, MN; Lincoln, NE; Omaha, NE; Denver, CO; Pueblo, CO; Salt Lake City, UT; Butte, MT; Helena, MT; Spokane, WA; Seattle, WA; Vancouver, BC; Portland, OR; San Francisco, CA; Berkley, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Phoenix, AZ; Oklahoma City, OK; Tulsa, OK; Topeka, KS; Kansas City, MO; St Louis, MO; Springfield, IL; Urbana, IL

  • The following Spring Louis Gregory was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly which precluded such long tours although he did continue his shorter trips to the South. [TMW122]
  • Louis G. Gregory; Teaching; United States (USA)
    1921 (early) Oct
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi visited the Bahá'í community of Manchester. At his first meeting with the friends he reported on 'Abdu'l-Bahá's reaction to the news that Nora Crossley had cut off her hair and offered it for auction to raise funds as her contribution for the construction of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár in Chicago.
  • See Some Bahá'ís to Remember p56 for the Tablet that 'Abdu'l-Bahá sent to Nora Crossley and the circumstances under which Shoghi Effendi presented it, as well as gifts from 'Abdu'l-Bahá, to her in the presence of the Bahá'ís of Manchester.
  • Although not one to allow pictures to be taken of himself, Shoghi Effendi insisted that a photo be taken of himself with the Manchester group. It can be seen at Worldwide Community of Bahá'u'lláh.
  • See as well Memoirs of Nora Crossely: 1921. She writes that ...all the honours that were showered on me by the Beloved Master, were NOT solely because of my gift to the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, as most people think, but because I loved Him so much, I was prepared to obey Him, and carry out His wishes, AT ALL COST."
  • See also A Tribute to Nora Crossley by Rob Wienberg and the video based on Rob's paper.
  • Manchester, England
    1921 6 Oct
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi at Oxford - The Michaelmas Term 1921
  • Shoghi Effendi continued his translation work. During his time in Oxford he acquired a love for The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon and could often be seen reading his abridged copy. He also admired the translation of the King James version of the Bible. [PG191-197]
  • 29 November: Shoghi Effendi was summoned to the office of Major Tudor-Pole at 61 St. James Street in London. [PG198]
  • * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Oxford, England; Shoghi Effendi at Oxford; United Kingdom
    1921 20 Oct
    192-
    Áqá Siyyid Mustafá Tabátabá'í was poisoned in Sangsar. Continual agitation prevented the burial of the body for several days. [BW18:388] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution; - Persecution, Deaths; Iran; Sangesar, Iran
    1921 19 Nov
    192-
    The passing of Mírzá Abu'l-Ḥasan Afnán, a Persian nobleman and descendant of the family of the Báb. He had lived a long time in the Holy Land, and was very close and attached to 'Abdu'l-Bahá. He realized the impending passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá he threw himself into the sea. [The Utterance Project; SoW Vol 12 No 18] - Biography; Mírzá Abu'l-Hasan Afnan; Suicide
    1921 23 Nov
    192-
    A second suit for the possession of the House of Bahá'u'lláh in Baghdad was decided in favour of the Shi'a claimants. This allowed them to apply to the Peace Court in 1922. [SETPE1p25]
  • Before the application went before the Court the Shi'a group prevailed upon King Faisal to give an illegal personal order to the Governor of Baghdád to evict the Bahá'ís and then return the keys to them. All this was against the opinion of the British High Commissioner. [SETPE1p25]
  • The case was passed from court to court and finally brought before the Court of Appeal in Baghdád which, by a majority of four (the Iráqí members) to one (the British Presiding Justice), decided in favour of the plaintiffs. [SETPE1p25]
  • Baghdad, Iraq; House of Bahá'u'lláh (Baghdad); Iraq
    1921 28 Nov
    192-
    Ascension of `Abdu'l-Bahá

    `Abdu'l-Bahá passed away at about 1:00 a.m., in Haifa. [AB452; BBD4; BBR347; GPB311; UD170]

  • For details of His passing see DOMH210-216, AB452, BW1:19-23; BW15:113-15 and GPB310-11. Westerners who were present in the Holy Land at the time included: Grace and Florian Krug, Louise and John Bosch from the USA, Ethel Rosenberg from London and Fräulein Johanna Hauff from Stuttgart as well as American Curtis Kelsey who was in the Holy Land to attend to the electrical installations in the Shrine of the Báb at the time. [AB462-463]
      Note: In fact, Ethel Rosenberg was en route to visit the Master when He ascended. She arrived from Port Said by train on the 2nd of December having learned of His ascension from a member of the staff on the train. [EJR182]
  • Sir Herbert Samuel and Sir Ronald Storrs led the funeral procession. [CH226]
  • This marked the end of the Apostolic, Heroic or Primitive Age of the Bahá'í Faith and the beginning of the Transitional Formative or Iron Age. [BBD35-6]
  • For a photograph of the cable sent announcing His passing see SW12, 15:245.
  • See The Passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá by Shoghi Effendi and Lady Blomfield.
  • For a pen portrait of 'Abdu'l-Bahá see The Oriental Rose by Mary Hanford Ford pg 158-159
  • Also see AB452-83; HLS93-100.
  • This date marks the beginning of the First Epoch of the Transitional, Formative or Iron Age of the Faith.
  • See an account of the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá compiled by David Merrick.
  • See Part IX of The Utterance Project by Violetta Zein.
  • See WMSH26-52 for an account by John and Louise Bosch of the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the funeral, the reading if the Will, their subsequent time in the Holy Land and Egypt, and their teaching trip to Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. They arrived in New York on the 23rd of April and proceeded to Chicago to attend the National Convention. Shoghi Effendi had entrusted them with eight passages from the Will to be presented to the North American friends.
  • See The Station and Titles of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in The Bahá'í World on line.
  • * `Abdu'l-Bahá, Basic timeline; * `Abdu'l-Bahá (chronology); * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Basic timeline, Condensed; - Basic timeline, Expanded; - Biography; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Ascension of; Covenant; Curtis Kelsey; Cycles, Eras, Ages and Epochs; Ethel Rosenberg; Florian Krug; Formative Age; Grace Krug; Haifa, Israel; Herbert Samuel; Heroic age; Holy days; Johanna Hauff; John Bosch; Louise Bosch; Ronald Storrs
    1921 29 Nov
    192-
    The funeral of `Abdu'l-Bahá. [BW15:115]
  • For details of the funeral see AB464-74; BW1:23-6; BW15:115-19; GPB312-14; and SW12, 17:259-67.
  • For Western and newspaper accounts see AB474-80; BBR347-9; BW1:26-8; and BW15:119-20.
  • For eulogies to `Abdu'l-Bahá see AB481-2, BW1:28-9 and BW15 120-1.
  • Ten thousand people attend `Abdu'l-Bahá's funeral. [v7]
  • For a number of pictures of the funeral procession see SW12, 91:290, 292-8.
  • Bahíyyih Khánum looked for instructions on where to bury `Abdu'l-Bahá and, finding none, entombed Him in a vault next to the one where the remains of the Báb lay. [AB464; GBF14]
  • Also see Balyuzi, `Abdu'l-Bahá; Blomfield, The Chosen Highway; Honnold, Vignettes from the Life of `Abdu'l-Bahá; SW12, 15:245 and several following issues.
  • Photo.
  • The Greatest Holy Leaf engaged a locksmith to change all the locks in the Master's house. During the funeral procession she remained there and asked that a policeman be assigned to stand outside the door. During the procession Mirza Muhammad-Ali and his brother, feigning sadness, asked the policeman if they could enter the Master's house to express their condolences to the Greatest Holy Leaf. She turned them away at the door saying that this was not the time. He had attempted a kind of a palace coup. The Greatest Holy Leaf had foreseen that he would attempt just that. The House of the Master was more than a residence; it was the visible administrative centre of the Cause. Other than the Shrine of the Báb, it was the only Bahá'í edifice in the Holy Land at that time. [An account of the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá p42]
  • * `Abdu'l-Bahá, Basic timeline; * `Abdu'l-Bahá (chronology); - Basic timeline, Expanded; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Ascension of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Shrine of; Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Bahiyyih Khanum (Greatest Holy Leaf); Bahji, Israel; Covenant-breaking; Haifa, Israel; Mírzá Muhammad Ali; Mount Carmel
    1921 29 Nov
    192-
    The Faith had spread to 35 countries, an increase of 20 since the passing of Bahá'u'lláh. [Patheos website]
  • The additional countries were: Saudi Arabia, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Treat Britain, Hawaiian Islands, Holland, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Jordon, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland, Tunisia, and the United States.
  • Statistics
    1921 29 Nov
    192-
    A cable was sent to London with news of `Abdu'l-Bahá's passing. Shoghi Effendi was summonsed to the office of Wellesley Tudor Pole, probably at at 61, St. James St. in London, and learned of his grandfather's passing about noon after seeing the cable on Tudor Pole's desk. [GBF13]
  • See GBF13, PG199 and PP39-40 for Shoghi Effendi's reaction.
  • * `Abdu'l-Bahá (chronology); * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); `Abdu'l-Bahá, Ascension of; London, England; Oxford, England; Shoghi Effendi at Oxford; United Kingdom; Wellesley Tudor Pole
    1921 (Following `Abdu'l-Bahá's passing)
    192-
    Mírzá Muhammad-`Alí published far and wide that he was the successor to `Abdu'l-Bahá. [CB277]
  • The Egyptian Bahá'ís responded to this by publishing a refutation of his claims. [CB276; SW12, 19:294-5]
  • Covenant-breaking; Egypt; Mírzá Muhammad Ali; Succession; Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá
    1921 1 Dec - 7 Dec
    192-
    Dr Esslemont made a trip from Bournemouth to London to visit Shoghi Effendi and offer support. He invited him back to Bournemouth where he stayed from the evening of the 2nd of December until the morning of the seventh. [PG199]
  • Shoghi Effendi wrote to a Bahá'í student in London describing his reaction to the news of the Master's passing. It would appear he had reconciled himself to the situation. [PG100; PP40-41]
  • See PG201 for the observations of others.
  • On the 7th of December he received a cable from the Greatest Holy Leaf urging him to return to the Holy Land. He left for London immediately. [PG100]
  • * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Bournemouth, England; Esslemont; London, England; United Kingdom
    1921 2 Dec
    192-
    Ethel Rosenberg arrived in the Holy Land, having learned on the train from Port Said of the passing of `Abdu'l-Bahá. [EJR181-2] Ethel Rosenberg; Haifa, Israel
    1921 4 Dec
    192-
    On the seventh day after the passing of `Abdu'l-Bahá, corn was distributed in His name to about a thousand of the poor.
  • Up to this day 50 to 100 poor were fed daily at the Master's House. [BW15:122]
  • * `Abdu'l-Bahá (chronology); `Abdu'l-Bahá, Ascension of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, House of (Haifa); Haifa, Israel
    1921 5-6 Dec
    192-
    The second Convention for Amity between the White and Coloured Races was held in Springfield, Massachusetts. [BW2:282; SBR92; SYH113-114, 126]
  • Over a thousand people attended. [SW13, 3:51]
  • For a report of the convention see SW13, 3:51-5, 601.
  • For a photograph see SW13, 3:50.
  • Conferences, Race Amity; Massachusetts, USA; Race; Race amity; Race unity; Springfield, MA; United States (USA)
    1921 16 Dec
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi left England for Haifa in the company of Lady Blomfield and his sister Rouhangeze [Rúhangíz]. Lady Blomfield stayed on in the Holy Land for several months to assist Shoghi Effendi in his new role as the Guardian. [GBF13-14; PP42; SBR66]
  • Due to passport difficulties Shoghi Effendi could not leave sooner. [GBF13; PP42; SBR66; PG202]
  • * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Haifa, Israel; Lady Sarah Louisa Blomfield; London, England; Rouhangeze (Ruhangiz); United Kingdom
    1921 29 Dec
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi arrived in the Holy Land from England by train from Egypt. [GBF14; PP42]
  • An envelope addressed to him from 'Abdu'l-Bahá was waiting for him. It contained the Will and Testament. [Ruhi8.2p2; PP42]
  • He was so worn and grief-stricken that he had to be assisted up the stairs and was confined to bed for a number of days. [CB285]
  • * `Abdu'l-Bahá, Writings and talks of; * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); `Abdu'l-Bahá, Ascension of; Egypt; Haifa, Israel; United Kingdom; Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá
    1921 (Late in the year)
    192-
    Mírzá Husayn Tútí arrived in the Philippines, the earliest known visit by a Bahá'í to this country. He stayed for four months. Mírzá Husayn Tuti; Philippines
    1922 (In the year)
    192-
    The publication of The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by 'Abdu'l‑Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Compiled by Howard MacNutt. Volume 2 was published in 1922 followed by Volume 2 in 1925. Volume 1 was published by the Bahá'í Publishing Committee in Chicago and Volume 2 by the same committee operating out of New York. [Collins3.98]
  • From the preface to the 1922 edition..."This treasury of His words is a compilation of informal talks and extemporary discourses delivered in Persian and Arabic, interpreted by proficient linguists who accompanied Him, and taken stenographically in both Oriental and Occidental tongue."
  • From the same preface is a letter from 'Abdu'l-Bahá to Howard MacNutt dated 13 April, 1919 approving his idea to publish the compilation of His talks in America and urging him to be most careful to reproduce the exact text as well as promising an "effulgent face" in the Abhá Kingdom as well as the praise and gratitude of the friends.
  • And again from the same source is a letter from 'Abdu'l-Bahá to Albert Windust written on the 20th of July, 1919 asking him to name the book The Promulgation of Universal Peace and to direct that the Introduction must be written by Howard MacNutt. Prior to His coming to America the friends were unclear about His station and their differences in understanding was a major source of disunity. On one extreme were those who believed that 'Abdu'l-Baha was a man who, through the application and complete obedience to the Faith, had earned a high station, like Christ's disciple Peter, implying that others could do the same. In the other camp were those who insisted that He was the return of Christ. Little wonder that they were confused because never in religious history had there been someone like 'Abdu'l-Bahá, one Who held the station of "The Mystery of God". Howard's failure to understand 'Abdu'l-Bahá's station and disobedience to Him and taken him precariously close to the company of Covenant-breakers but through 'Abdu'l-Bahá's unfailing love and guidance he was able to come to a true understanding. The Introduction to the 1922 edition was his testament to the station of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. [DJT369-372]
  • The Promulgation of Universal Peace, although not "scripture", could be compared to Some Answered Questions in that it is a carefully transcribed record of His talks. Unlike that publication where He answered questions, in The Promulgation of Universal Peace it was 'Abdu'l-Bahá who chose the subject. Upon arrival in New York He said, "It is my purpose to set forth in America the fundamental principles of the revelation and teachings of Bahá'u'lláh." [PUPxii]
  • * Publications; Chicago, IL; Howard MacNutt; New York, USA; Promulgation of Universal Peace (book); United States (USA)
    1922 (In the year)
    192-
    Oswald Whitaker, a Sydney optometrist, and Euphemia Eleanor `Effie' Baker, a photographer, become Bahá'ís, the first Australians to accept the Faith. [BW14:320; SBR160-1, BW2p129]
  • In the 1930s Effie Baker travelled to Persia to take photographs of historical sites. [BW14:320]
  • See SETPE1p105-107 for her contribution while serving in Haifa.
  • For Effie Baker's obituary see BW14:320-1.
  • - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Australia; Effie Baker; Iran; Oswald Whitaker; Photography the first Australians to accept the Faith
    1922 3 Jan
    192-
    The Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá was read aloud for the first time, to a group of nine men, mainly senior members of `Abdu'l-Bahá's family. [BBRSM115; CB286; ER194; GBF14; PP45]
  • Shoghi Effendi was not present at the reading. [CB286; ER194]
  • Shoghi Effendi was appointed Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith. [WT11]
  • Shoghi Effendi had no fore-knowledge of the institution of the Guardianship nor that he would be appointed Guardian. [CB285; PP423]
  • The fact that Shoghi Effendi was to become 'Abdu'l-Bahá's successor was a well-guarded secret. The person who was privy to this appointment was the Greatest Holy Leaf. Another was a non-Bahá'í woman, Dr J. Fallscheer, a German physician who lived in Haifa and attended the ladies of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's household. When Shoghi Effendi was a child, 'Abdu'l-Bahá clearly stated to her that Shoghi Effendi would be His successor. But this information was not communicated to anybody else. [CoC30; PP1-2]
  • For a list of topics covered by the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá see GPB328.
  • * `Abdu'l-Bahá, Basic timeline; * `Abdu'l-Bahá, Writings and talks of; * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Basic timeline, Condensed; - Basic timeline, Expanded; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Ascension of; Bahji, Israel; Covenant; Guardianship; Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá
    1922 6 Jan
    192-
    A memorial feast for 600 people of Haifa, `Akká and the surrounding area was held 40 days after the passing of `Abdu'l-Bahá. [BW15:122; ER195]
  • More than a hundred poor were also fed. [BW15:122; ERT95-6]
  • For details of the memorial service see ER195-9 and SW13, 2:404.
  • `Abdu'l-Bahá, Ascension of; Akka, Israel; Haifa, Israel
    1922 7 Jan
    192-
    The Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá was read publicly at his house to an assembled gathering of Bahá'ís from many countries. [EJR199-200]
  • Shoghi Effendi was again absent. [EJR200]
  • The Greatest Holy Leaf sent two cables to Persia, informing the Bahá'ís that Shoghi Effendi had been appointed Guardian and instructing them to hold memorial services for `Abdu'l-Bahá. [PP47]
  • * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Basic timeline, Expanded; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Ascension of; `Abdu'l-Bahá, House of (Haifa); Bahiyyih Khanum (Greatest Holy Leaf); Guardianship; Haifa, Israel; Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá
    1922 9 Jan
    192-
    William H. Hoar, Disciple of `Abdu'l-Bahá, passed away in Fanwood, New Jersey. [SW12, 19:310]
  • For his obituary see SW12, 19:310-12.
  • - Biography; - Births and deaths; - Disciples of `Abdu'l-Bahá; - In Memoriam; Fanwood, NJ; New Jersey, USA; United States (USA); William Hoar
    1922 16 Jan
    192-
    The Greatest Holy Leaf cabled the United States with the news that Shoghi Effendi had been appointed Guardian. [PP48] * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Bahá'í World Centre; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Bahiyyih Khanum (Greatest Holy Leaf); Guardianship; United States (USA)
    1922 21 Jan
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi wrote to the two major communities of the Faith, Persia and America, urging the believers to arise in service for the triumph of the Cause. [BA15-17; CB298-300; CT154]
  • See SoW Vol 13 No 1 21 March 1922 p17-18 for the letter to the Bahá'ís of America..
  • * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Bahá'í World Centre
    1922 24 Jan
    192-
    Dr Sarah A. Clock passed away in Tihrán. She had gone there in 1911 to assist Dr Moody at the Tarbíyat School. [BFA2:361; SW12, 19:309] - Births and deaths; - In Memoriam; Iran; Sarah Clock; Susan Moody; Tarbiyat School, Tihran; Tehran, Iran
    1922 30 Jan
    192-
    Mírzá Muhammad-`Alí and Badí`u'lláh seized the keys to the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh. [BBR456-7; CB288-9, 333; ER205; GBF18; PP53]
  • The governor of `Akká ordered that the keys be handed over to the authorities and posted a guard at the Shrine. [BBR457; PP53-4]
  • For Western accounts of the episode see BBR456-7.
  • Bahá'u'lláh, Shrine of (Bahjí); Bahji, Israel; Mírzá Badiullah; Mírzá Muhammad Ali
    1922 18 Feb
    192-
    Laura and Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney arrived in Haifa from their travel teaching trip in Burma and Bombay. [EJR208]

    Between the years of 1920 to 1922 they stayed in many cities in China including Chengdu.

    Haifa, Israel; Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney; India; Laura Clifford Barney; Mumbai, India; Myanmar; Travel Teaching
    1922 Feb-Mar
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi called together a group of well-known Bahá'ís to discuss the future development of the Faith and the possible election of the Universal House of Justice. It was the commonly held opinion of the members of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's family, the British officials in Palestine, many believers and indeed Shoghi Effendi himself as evidenced by his letter to Persia dated 16 January, 1922, that the Universal House of Justice would be elected. [BBRSM:120, 126; EJR207; PP247-8]
  • Those invited to attend were: Major Tudor Pole, Ethel Rosenberg and Lady Blomfield from England; Emogene Hoagg (she had been living in Haifa for some time at this point), Laura and Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney from France, Consul and Alice Schwarz from Germany, Siyyid Mustafá Rúmí of Burma, Roy Wilhelm, Mountfort Mills, Mason Remey, from North America as well as Corinne True and her daughter Katherine. Two well-known Bahá'í teachers from Persia, Avarih and Fazel had been invited to attend but due to complications their arrival was long delayed. [EJR207-8; PP55]
  • In a letter dated the 5th of March, 1922 Shoghi Effendi urged the Bahá'ís to subordinate firmly and definitely all personal likings and local interests to the interests and requirements of the Cause. He called for the establishment of local spiritual assemblies in every locality where the number of adult believers exceeded nine. He also described the tasks and functions of the assemblies saying that they would evolve into the local and national Houses of Justice. [PP248; SBR66]
  • See UD3-9; BA17-25 for the letter.
  • * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Bahá'í World Centre; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Universal House of Justice; Universal House of Justice, Basic timeline
    1922 19 Feb
    192-
    Helen Goodall, Disciple of `Abdu'l-Bahá, passed away in San Francisco. [SEBW33]
  • See SEBW21-33 for details of her life.
  • - Biography; - Disciples of `Abdu'l-Bahá; - In Memoriam; Helen Goodall; San Francisco, CA; United States (USA)
    1922 22 Feb
    192-
    Subsequent to the decision of the Court of Appeal the government of Iraq took over the keys for the House of Bahá'u'lláh in Baghdád. [SETPE1p26] Baghdad, Iraq; House of Bahá'u'lláh (Baghdad); Iraq
    1922 22 Feb
    192-
    King Feisal of Iraq ordered the Bahá'ís to be turned out of the Most Great House in Baghdád to keep the peace. [BW354; GPB343; PP54]
  • King Feisal, who had been crowned King of Syria in March 1920, was known to Àbdu'l-Bahá. In about July or August 1920 he had escaped Damascus in a cattle car bound for Haifa carrying a white donkey for Àbdu'l-Bahá. During his brief stay in Haifa the two became acquainted. [from Sunburst by Lorol Schopflocher p83-84 quoting from T E Lawrence's Revolt in the Desert]
  • Baghdad, Iraq; House of Bahá'u'lláh (Baghdad); Iraq; King Faisal
    1922 25 Feb
    192-
    The Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá was written entirely in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's own hand and it was Shoghi Effendi's first translation for the believers in the West. It was sent to New York and addressed to "The beloved of God and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout the United states of America and Canada". The "Will" delineated the Bahá'í World Order, already founded in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, and of which 'Abdul'-Bahá was the architect. [AY304]iiiii * `Abdu'l-Bahá, Writings and talks of; * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); * Translation; Firsts, other; Haifa, Israel; New York, USA; Shoghi Effendi, Translations by; Shoghi Effendi, Works of; United States (USA); Will and Testament of `Abdu'l-Bahá first translation for the believers in the West.
    1922 27 Feb
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi wrote to Professor Auguste Forel, advising him of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's passing and enclosing an English translation of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's letter to Dr Forel written on the 21st of September, 1921. [The Life and Times of August Forel by Sheila Banani. [BW15p 37–43.] Auguste Forel
    1922 4 Mar
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi cabled for a list of all believers in the United States and Canada over 21 years of age. [Highlights of the First 40 Years of the Bahá'í Faith in New York, City of the Covenant, 1892-1932 by Hussein Ahdieh p22] - Bahá'í World Centre; Statistics
    1922 5 Mar
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi wrote to the American Bahá'ís calling for the establishment of local assemblies wherever nine or more believers reside and directing that all activities be placed under the authority of the local and national assemblies. [BA17-25; BBRSM120-1; CB300] * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Bahá'í World Centre; Administration; Local Spiritual Assemblies; National Spiritual Assemblies; Shoghi Effendi, Works of
    1922 Apr
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi sent verbal messages through Consul Schwarz to Germany and Ethel Rosenberg to Britain to form local spiritual assemblies and to arrange for the election of a national spiritual assembly in each country. [CB293; EJR209, 211-12; PP56] * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Albert Schwarz, Consul; Ethel Rosenberg; Germany; Local Spiritual Assemblies; National Spiritual Assemblies; Spiritual Assemblies; United Kingdom
    1922 Apr c.
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi, in a letter to Bahíyyih Khánum, advised her that he would be taking a leave of absence from his duties as the Guardian. He appointed her to administer all Bahá'í affairs in his absence in consultation with the family of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and the Assembly he had recently appointed. [GBF19; PP57, 276]
  • Those appointed to the Haifa Bahá'í Spiritual Assembly were organized by Bahíyyih Khánum. [SETPE1p50; PP57] Mirza 'Azizu'lláh S. Bahadur was appointed to deal with Shoghi Effendi's correspondence during his absence and again during his second absence in the summer of 1923. [SYH119]
  • * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Bahá'í World Centre; Bahiyyih Khanum (Greatest Holy Leaf); Haifa Spiritual Assembly (1922-1938)
    1922 Apr
    192-
    To the United States and Canada Shoghi Effendi sent a message to transform the 'Executive Board' into a legislative institution. [CB293; CT160; ER211-12; PP56]
  • It had been functioning since 1909 concerned mostly with the construction of the Bahá'í House of Worship.
  • This year the elected members of the Executive Board Bahá'í Temple Unity were: Mountfort Mills. Annie L. Parmerton. Bernard M. Jacobsen. Arthur S. Agnew. Corinne True. William H. Hoar. Joseph H. Hannen. Roy C. Wilhelm.
  • He addressed his first letter to this body as the "National Spiritual Assembly of the United States" on December 23rd however in God Passes By pg333 he stated that the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States was not formed until 1925. [SETPE1p107, CT160, CoB293]
  • * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Bahá'í Temple Unity; Chicago, IL; Executive Board of the Bahá'í Temple Unity; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette; National Spiritual Assemblies; Spiritual Assemblies; United States (USA)
    1922 5 Apr
    192-
    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.
  • * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Europe; Haifa, Israel; Shoghi Effendi, Travels of
    1922 8 Apr
    192-
    Bahíyyih Khánum wrote a general letter to the friends acknowledging the letters of allegiance received and saying that Shoghi Effendi was counting on the friends for their cooperation in spreading the Message adding that the Bahá'í world must, from now on, be linked through the Spiritual Assemblies and local questions must be referred to them, She announced Shoghi Effendi's temporary absence and his appointment of her as his representative. [GBF19] * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Bahá'í World Centre; Bahiyyih Khanum (Greatest Holy Leaf); Local Spiritual Assemblies
    1922 9 Apr
    192-
    Work commenced on the Western Pilgrim House. [PP69] Haifa, Israel; Pilgrim House, Western (Haifa); Pilgrim Houses
    1922 21 Apr
    192-
    The Shrines of Bahá'u'lláh and the Báb were electrically illuminated for the first time. [PP69]
  • For the story of this project see He Loved He Served.
  • * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Basic timeline, Expanded; Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Bahá'u'lláh, Shrine of (Bahjí); Bahji, Israel; Electrification of the Shrines; Light; Mount Carmel
    1922 25 Apr
    192-
    A National Spiritual Assembly was elected in the United States to replace the Executive Board of the Bahá'í Temple Unity. [SBR94]
  • The difference between this body and its forerunner was little more than a change in name. [DP122]
  • The conversion of the Bahá'í Temple Unity into the National Spiritual Assembly took four years; it was not until 1925 that Shoghi Effendi recognized the American national body as a National Spiritual Assembly. [CT161; DP121-2; GPB333]
  • The election procedures followed that were used this period were not the current Bahá'í procedure: there was electioneering and candidates were nominated with a straw poll taken to trim the number of eligible candidates. [CT160; DP122]
  • * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Bahá'í Temple Unity; Chicago, IL; Elections; Executive Board of the Bahá'í Temple Unity; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Spiritual Assemblies; United States (USA)
    1922 (Late May)
    192-
    The communities of London, Manchester and Bournemouth elected a Bahá'í Spiritual Assembly for England. [EJR213; SBR28, 67]
  • This was also known as the Spiritual Assembly for London and the All-England Bahá'í Council. [EJR2 13; SBR67]
  • See EJR213 and SBR28 for membership.
  • The social centre of the London group was Ethel Rosenburg with Mrs Thornburgh-Cropper and later Lady Blomfield also playing significant roles. The group in Manchester came from the working- or lower middle-class background with Edward Hall and other men in leadership positions. The group in Bournemouth developed around Dr. Esslemont. In addition to these centres there were a few scattered isolated believers. [SBBH5p220]
  • All-England Bahá'í Council; Bournemouth, England; Edward T. Hall; Ethel Rosenberg; John Esslemont; Lady Sarah Louisa Blomfield; London, England; Manchester, England; Mary Virginia Thornburgh-Cropper; Spiritual Assemblies; United Kingdom
    1922 6 Jun
    192-
    The All-England Bahá'í Council met for the first time. [SBR28; UD9, 468]
  • EJR2 13 says it first met 17 June.
  • The meeting was held in the home of Mrs Thornburgh-Cropper. [SBR28, 67]
  • All-England Bahá'í Council; Firsts, other; Mary Virginia Thornburgh-Cropper; United Kingdom first meeting of the future NSA of British Isles
    1922 9 Jul
    192-
    Bahá'ís gathered in the Foundation Hall of the Chicago House of Worship for the first time, to commemorate the martyrdom of the Báb. [CT158-9; SW13, 6:132]
  • Regular meetings were not held here until 1927. [CT158-9]
  • - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette; United States (USA); Wilmette, IL
    1922 (Autumn)
    192-
    The Greatest Holy Leaf sent Shoghi Effendi's mother and other family members to Switzerland to ask him to return to the Holy Land. [PP63] * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Bahiyyih Khanum (Greatest Holy Leaf); Haifa, Israel; Shoghi Effendi, Travels of; Switzerland
    1922 30 Oct
    192-
    Louise Gregory landed in Liverpool from New York on board the Cunard vessel, the RMS Ausonia and visited family in Leeds and in France before going to Spa in Belgium. During this trip she visited Wiesbaden in Germany and she may have visited Stuttgart and then to Luxembourg where she was the first Bahá'í to teach the Faith. [SYH117-118, 237]
  • On the 16th of August 1923 she sailed from Southampton to New York on the SS Volendam of the Holland America Line. During this trip she had visited Leeds, England, Les Ambiers, Duex Sèvres in France, Spa in Belgium, Luxembourg, Wiesbaden in Germany and Ferndown Lodge in England. [SYH240]
  • Liverpool, England; Louise Gregory; Teaching
    1922 10 Dec
    192-
    The first local assembly of Montreal was formed. [BW8:639, OBCC157, TG26] Canada; Local Spiritual Assembly; Montreal, QC; Quebec, Canada first Local Spiritual Assembly in Canada, first spiritual assembly in Montreal
    1922 15 Dec
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi returned to the Holy Land to take up his duties as Guardian. [PP63-4]
  • He sent cablegrams to a number of national communities announcing his return and his eagerness to resume the work. [PP64-5]
  • * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Guardianship; Haifa, Israel; Shoghi Effendi, Travels of; Switzerland
    1923 (In the year)
    192-
    Charles Mason Remey made preliminary plans for a monumental domed superstructure for the Shrine of the Báb. [BW6:723] Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Haifa, Israel; Mason Remey
    1923 (In the year)
    192-
    The publication of Bahá'í Indexes: Suggestions for the Arrangement of a Bibliography and Reference Indexes of the Bahá'í Teachings with Practical Explanations How to Build Up Baha'i Index Systems by Charles Mason Remey with the approval of the National Spiritual Assembly. - Bibliography; - Indexes and catalogues; Charles Mason Remey; East Lansing, MI
    1923 (In the year)
    192-
    The keys for the House of Bahá'u'lláh in Baghdád were delivered to the Shi'as by the government. [PP94-5, GBF33] Baghdad, Iraq; House of Bahá'u'lláh (Baghdad); Iraq
    1923 (In the year)
    192-
    The first Bahá'í Feast was held in New Zealand in the home of Margaret Stevenson. It was attended by Hyde Dunn from Australia. [SoW Vol 14 p25]
  • For photo see Bahá'í Historical Facts.
  • Feasts; Hyde Dunn; Margaret Stevenson; New Zealand first Bahá'í Feast held in New Zealand
    1923 (In the year)
    192-
    The publication of Bahai Manuscripts. Suggestions for Their Preservation and Arrangement by Charles Mason Remey. This publication had the approval of the National Bahá'í Archives Committee of America and the National Bahá'í Reviewing Committee of America. Archives; Charles Mason Remey; Manuscripts; Newport, RI
    1923 (In the year)
    192-
    After the passing of his wife, the eldest daughter and son-in-law of Mr. Uskuli arrived in Shanghai as pioneers. Also arriving were his mother, Sarah Khanum and his two younger daughters Rohani (Rawhaniyyih), and Jalalia (Jalaliyyih) as well as his son Goudrat (Qudrat). In 1934 these three younger children, accompanied by their grandmother, left to study at the American University at Beirut. Ridvaniyyih and 'Ali-Muhammad Suleimani returned to Iran in August of 1950 due to the difficult conditions in China at the time. [PH39; Video Early history of the Bahá'í Faith in China 7 min 57 sec] Shanghai, China; Uskuli
    1923 Jan
    192-
    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.
  • * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Europe; `Abdu'l-Husayn Ávárih; Covenant-breaking
    1923 Feb
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi sent his early translation of The Hidden Words to America in February of 1923. In all probability he send a copy to the Bahá'ís of London as well because the Bahá'í Assembly at London published it under the cover title of Hidden Words, Words of Wisdom, Prayers. [PP205; Collins 5.54]
  • This was reprinted in New York by the Bahá'í Publishing Committee in 1924 and again in 1925. [Collins 1.55 - 1.56]
  • A revised translation The Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh was publish in 1929 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Shoghi Effendi acknowledged the assistance of "some English friends" (George Townshend, John Esslemont and Ethel Rosenberg. [Collins 1.57]
  • The Guardian's next and last revision of the text took place in 1954. [Unveiling the Hidden Words by Dianna Malouf p75; Collins 1.63]
  • * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); * Translation; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Kalimat-i-Maknunih (Hidden Words); Shoghi Effendi, Translations by; Shoghi Effendi, Works of; United States (USA)
    1923 3 Feb
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi wrote to the editors and manager of the Star of the West Albert Vail Miss Edna True Dr. Zia M. Baghdádí Mírzá Aḥmad Sohrab. He reported that he had requested every Spiritual Assembly throughout Persia, Turkestan, Caucasus, India, Egypt, 'Iráq, Turkey, Syria and Palestine to contribute periodically carefully written articles to the magazine, and submit regularly for publication a special report on their spiritual activities and the progress of the Cause in their own province. [Uncompiled Published Letters p30 by Shoghi Effendi]
  • He sent a similar note of encouragement to the editor of the Indian Bahá'í News and to the editors of The Dawn in Burma. [PP347-348; Uncompiled Published Letters p36 by Shoghi Effendi]
  • * Publications; - Bahá'í World Centre; - First publications; - Newsletters; - Periodicals; Dawn, The (newsletter); India; Indian Bahá'í News; Myanmar; New York, USA; Star of the West
    1923 8 Feb
    192-
    The keys to the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh were returned to Shoghi Effendi. [GBF23; PP71] * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Bahá'u'lláh, Shrine of (Bahjí); Bahji, Israel
    1923 12 Feb
    192-
    Bahai Scriptures, edited by Horace Holley, was published. [SBR231; Collins4.71-4.72]
  • It was the first comprehensive collection of Bahá'í writings made thus far in English. [SBR231]
  • * Publications; - First publications; Bahá'í Scriptures (book); Horace Holley; New York, USA; United States (USA)
    1923 16 Feb
    192-
    Declaration of the first native Hawaiian Bahá'í, Mae (Mary) Keali'i Kahumoku Tilton Fantom. She was from Maui. [Native Bahá'í - Indigenous Bahá'í] Hawaii, USA; Mae (Mary) Kealii Kahumoku Tilton Fantom; Maui, HI first native Hawaiian Bahá'í.
    1923 23 Feb
    192-
    In a message to the Bahá'ís in America, Great Britain, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Japan and in Australia, Shoghi Effendi instructed that local assemblies must be established in localities where the number of believers, aged twenty-one and over, was nine or more and he delineated the responsibilities of those assemblies. [BA37-39]
  • In the same message he directed that, in countries where conditions are favourable and the number of believers merited it, that "secondary Houses of Justice" be established. He fixed the number of electors; in America-95, the Pacific Islands-95, Germany-95 and in Great Britain-19 and specified that they be elected annually. [BA39-41]
  • Local and National Funds were to be established because "the progress and execution of spiritual activities is dependent and conditioned upon material means". [BA41]
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; Local Spiritual Assembly; Local Spiritual Assembly, election; National Assembly, election of; National Spiritual Assembly
    1923 Mar
    192-
    An article entitled `Bahai Organization: Its Basis in the Revealed Word' was published in Star of the West. [SW13, 12:323-8]
  • The purpose of the article was to convince those who were opposed to a structured form of Bahá'í administration. [BBRSM123]
  • Administration; Local Spiritual Assemblies; National Spiritual Assemblies
    1923 12 Mar
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi wrote to Bahá'ís in America, Great Britain, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Japan and Australasia about Bahá'í administration, outlining the process for annual elections of assemblies and calling for the establishment of local and national funds. [BA34-43; PP330]
  • See ER223-4 for the response of the British Bahá'ís.
  • In the same letter, as a Post Script, he included a list of the best known and most current Bahá'í terms transliterated with a recommendation that this be adopted as standard for all Western Bahá'ís with a promise that the Haifa Spiritual Assembly would provide a supplement. The transliteration scheme was mostly based on a standard adopted by the Tenth International Congress of Orientalists which took place in Geneva in September 1894. [BA43; PG208-209]
  • From the June 1923 issue of Star of the West, attempts were made to introduce the voting system although these are at first very patchy. The first books that appeared to be trying to put the system into use are Esslemont's Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era and Herrick's Unity Triumphant (the latter not entirely consistently), both published in 1923. Although some books appearing in 1924 did not follow the system, from this time on, books and other printed material published under Bahá'í auspices have followed it. [Transliteration by Mojan Momen]
  • A list of transliterated terms appeared in BW1p131 and expanded lists appeared in subsequent volumes.
  • * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Administration; Elections; Funds; Haifa, Israel; Local Spiritual Assemblies; National Spiritual Assemblies; Transliteration and diacritics
    1923 Ridván
    192-
    "...Ridvan messages: As early as 1923 Shoghi Effendi sent a letter of encouragement and greeting to the American national Bahá'í convention at Ridvan. It became his regular practice to write a Ridván letter to the Bahá'ís of the world summarizing the progress of the Faith in the previous year and setting out general directions for the coming year. The Universal House of Justice has continued this practice. Other Bahá'í institutions, especially national spiritual assemblies, also sometimes issue Ridvan letters." [SA241] - Bahá'í World Centre; Ridván messages
    1923 Ridván
    192-
    The formation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of England. [GPB333]
  • The election was by postal ballot. [EJR228]
  • For the membership of the first Assembly see EJR228 and SBR71.
  • See also EJR223-31 for the election and functioning of the Assembly.
  • Prior to becoming the National Spiritual Assembly, the "All-England Bahá'í Council" was formed on the 6th of June, 1922. [Achievements and Victories of the Guardianship:Statistics, chronology, and bibliography compiled by Owen Battrick]
  • In 1930 the name was changed tothe National Spiritual assembly of the Bahá'ís of the British Isles. [BCBI423]
  • In 1972 when the National Spiritual Assembly of Ireland was formed, the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles was renamed the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom. [BW15:290]
  • London, England; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; United Kingdom
    1923 Ridván
    192-
    The formation of the National Spiritual Assembly of India and Burma.. It was incorporated in 1932. [GPB333; BW6p303] India; Myanmar; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; New Delhi, India
    1923 Ridván
    192-
    The formation of the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria. [GPB333] Germany; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Stuttgart, Germany
    25 Apr
    192-
    Martha Root left Osaka for northern China. [PH31; [Film Early History of the Baha'í Faith in China 11 min 35 sec and 15 min 40 sec]
  • It was her second visit to China and lasted until March 1924. [PH31-2]
  • In June she was joined by Ida Finch. After an earthquake hit Japan she was joined by Agnes Alexander. On the 4th of November they held the first Feast in Beijing.
  • Beijing, China; Martha Root first Feast in Beijing 4 November 1923
    1923 Jun
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi left Haifa for Switzerland. [PP72; BBRSM116]
  • He returned to Haifa in November 1923. [BRRSM116]
  • * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Haifa, Israel; Shoghi Effendi, Travels of; Switzerland
    1923 Jul
    192-
    The Bahá'ís appealed to the Peace Court for possession of the House of Bahá'u'lláh in Baghdád. [SETPE1p26] Baghdad, Iraq; House of Bahá'u'lláh (Baghdad); Iraq
    1923 (In July or earlier)
    192-
    Lorol Schopflocher made a visit to King Feisel as reported in the Ottawa Citizen 13 July, 1923 p16 and The Winnipeg Tribune 31 July 1923 p16. She was accorded several audiences to discuss the question of the seizure of the keys to the House of Bahá'u'lláh in Baghdád. [Bahá'í Chronicles]
  • See Haifa Talks by Keith Ransom-Kehler and Lorol Schopflocher.
  • Baghdad, Iraq; House of Bahá'u'lláh (Baghdad); Iraq; King Faisal; Lorol Schopflocher
    1923 24 Jul
    192-
    The Treaty of Lausanne, signed on July 24, 1923, concluded the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922) and was an important international agreement that officially ended the hostilities and conflicts stemming from World War I and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. It is primarily known for recognizing the Republic of Turkey as the successor state to the Ottoman Empire and for defining the borders of modern Turkey. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is considered the founding father of the Republic of Turkey serving as its president from 1923 until his death in 1938.

    The treaty was significant because it prescribed for a population exchange between Turkey and Greece. It resulted in the forced relocation of around 1.5 million Greek Orthodox Christians from Turkey to Greece and about 500,000 Muslim Turks from Greece to Turkey. This exchange was intended to create ethnically homogeneous nation-states and minimize tensions between these groups.

    Another provision of the treaty is that it established the international status of the Turkish Straits, including the Bosporus and the Dardanelles. It guaranteed their neutral status and regulated the passage of ships through these strategically important waterways. This arrangement sought to prevent the militarization of the Straits and maintain freedom of navigation. [Colonialism, Nationalism and Jewish Immigration to Palestine: Abdu´l-Baha's Viewpoints Regarding the Middle East by Kamran Ekbal p6]

    Ethnic divisions; Lausanne, Switzerland; Switzerland
    1923 Early Sep
    192-
    J. E. Esslemont's Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era was published in Britain by George Allen and Unwin. [DJEE28; RG77]
  • The American edition of the book was published by Brentano's Publilshers of New York.
  • Dr Esslemont had been in invited to Haifa by 'Abdu'l-Bahá to discuss the book he was writing. He spent two and on-half month during the winter of 1919-1920 as a guest of 'Abdu'l-Bahá who amended and corrected four chapters. [UC45]
  • Shoghi Effendi viewed this as a landmark in British Bahá'í history. [UD97]
  • Over the years he encouraged its translation into dozens of languages. [RG77]
  • See DJEE37-8 for the importance of this work.
  • For a list of publications in various languages and formats see The Story of J. E. Esslemont and his Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era: Bibliography by Jan Jasion.
  • * Publications; * Translation; Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era (book); Esslemont; Introductory; United Kingdom
    1923 Sep
    192-
    The Dawn began publishing in Burma, in Burmese, English, and Persian. [BWNS1289] * Publications; - First publications; - Newsletters; - Periodicals; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Dawn, The (newsletter); Myanmar first Baha'i periodical in Burma
    1923 13 Oct
    192-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Britain met for the first time, at the home of Ethel Rosenberg. [EJR228; UD13, 163]
  • It became the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles in 1930 and the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom in 1972.
  • Ethel Rosenberg; United Kingdom
    1923 18 Oc
    192-
    The Nairn Transport Company was a pioneering motor transport company that operated a trans-desert route from Beirut, Haifa and Damascus to Baghdad, and back again, from 1923. Their route became known as "The Nairn Way". The firm continued, in various guises, until 1959. [Wikipedia]
  • Lorol Schopflocher used this service for her trip from Baghdad to Beirut after one of her visits to King Faisal in Baghdad.
  • Baghdad, Iraq; Beirut, Lebanon; Damascus, Syria; Haifa, Israel
    1923 4 Nov
    192-
    The first recorded Bahá'í Feast in China was held in Beijing. [PH33]
  • Martha Root and Agnes Alexander were present. [PH33]
  • Agnes Alexander; Beijing, China; China; Martha Root; Nineteen Day Feast
    1923 Nov (Sometime before 14 Nov)
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi returned from Switzerland. [PP73] * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Haifa, Israel; Shoghi Effendi, Travels of; Switzerland
    1923 14 Nov
    192-
    In a message addressed to "the beloved of the Lord and the handmaids of the Merciful throughout America" Shoghi Effendi expressed the following: I cherish the hope that, from now on the Beloved may bestow upon me all the strength and vigour that will enable me to pursue over a long and unbroken period of strenuous labour the supreme task of achieving, in collaboration with the friends in every land, the speedy triumph of the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh. This is the prayer I earnestly request all my fellow-brethren and sisters in the Faith to offer on my behalf.

  • This came to be known as "The Guardian's Prayer" and was used by many of his co-workers in their prayers for him. [BA51-52]
  • The prayer book that was first published in the UK in 1941 included this prayer at the very end of the book. In that version they made two changes. The phrase "from now on" was removed and "Shoghi Effendi" was substituted for the word "me" in the first sentence. [TG157, 246n1]
  • * Prayer texts; - Bahá'í World Centre; Prayer; Shoghi Effendi, Prayer for
    1923 Dec
    192-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Australia was formed in Melbourne. Australia; Local Spiritual Assembly; Melbourne, Australia The first local spiritual assembly in Australia is formed in Melbourne.
    1923 20 Dec
    192-
    The Peace Court ruled in favour of giving the Bahá'ís possession of House of Bahá'u'lláh in Baghdád, however, the Council of Ministers, with the approval of King Feisal, ordered that the property not be returned until ownership could be established. [SETPE1p26]
  • The Guardian sent 19 cables to various individuals and national bodies with instructions that the Bahá'ís should send cables to the British High Commissioner in Iráq, Sir Henry Dobbs, as well as to the British authorities in Iráq and in London as well as to King Feisal to protest the action of the Council of Ministers. In communities where the numbers are stronger, Persia and America, he instructed that every local assembly protest directly. The Guardian himself sent over 600 pieces of correspondence during the following six months concerning this issue. [PP94-6, GBF33-34 BA94-95]
  • The Iráqí government refused to bow to the pressure put upon them. [PP96]
  • Baghdad, Iraq; Firsts, other; House of Bahá'u'lláh (Baghdad); Iraq; Peace Court First time public opinion was rallied to support a miscarriage of justice against the Bahá'is
    1924 (In the year)
    192-
    'Abdu'l-Hamid Khemiri arrived in Haifa from Tunis. He was the first from that country to make a pilgrimage. [BWNW1577] - Bahá'í World Centre; Pilgrims; Tunis, Tunisia; Tunisia First pilgrim from Tunisia.
    1924 (In the year)
    192-
    Miss Nora Lee, who became a Bahá'í in New Zealand, was the first Bahá'í to travel to Fiji, working as a nanny in Labasa from 1924 to about 1930.
  • Gretta Lamprill became the first Bahá'í in Tasmania in the latter part of the year. [SBR162]
  • In 1924 Clara and Hyde Dunn spent three months in Hobart together with two Melbourne Baha'is. Their visit attracted a small number of individuals to the Bahá'í Faith, the first of whom was a nurse, Gretta Lamprill. She was gradually joined by others in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport. The first Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Hobart was established in 1949, providing the basis for the effective functioning of the Baha'i community since that time. [Australian Baha'i Community site]
  • - First Bahá'ís by country or area; - Travel teachers and pioneers, First; Clara Dunn; Devonport, Australia; Fiji; Hobart, Australia; Hyde Dunn; Launceston, Australia; Tasmania, Australia first Bahá'í to travel to Fiji; first Bahá'í in Tasmania
    1924 (In the year)
    192-
    Memorials of the Faithful was published in Farsi under the auspices of the Haifa Bahá'í Assembly. [MFxii] * Publications; Haifa, Israel; Haifa Spiritual Assembly (1922-1938); Memorials of the Faithful (book) first book printed in Haifa under the Guardianship. [MFxi]
    1924 (In the year)
    192-
    The passing of Mírzá Mahmúd-i-Zarqání (b. c1875).
  • He was 'Abdu'l-Bahá's secretary on his western trip and is the author of Mahmúd's Diary. In his youth he travelled and taught around Iran and from 1903 he began travelling to and in India, learning Urdu. He also made a pilgrimage to Haifa where he transcribed Tablets and from there accompanied 'Abdu'l-Bahá on His journey to Europe and to America. [Ahmad Sohrab's Diary Edinburgh p.5]
  • He was appointed as one of the Apostles of Bahá'u'lláh.
  • - Apostles of Bahá'u'lláh; - Biography; - Births and deaths; - In Memoriam; `Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; Mahmuds Diary; Mírzá Mahmud-i-Zarqani
    1924 (In the year)
    192-
    The publication of Episodes in the Life of Moneereh Khanum. Moneereh Khanum translated by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab by the Persian American Publishing Company.
  • It is a short autobiography by the wife of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. A more complete translation was published in 1986 by Kalimat Press entitled Munirih Khanum, Memoirs and Letters, translation by Sammireh Anwar Smith.
  • * `Abdu'l-Bahá (chronology); Munirih Khanum
    1924 (In the year)
    192-
    In 1924 Amelia Collins became the first to visit Iceland when she and her husband had a two-days stopover while on a cruise. During the time spent in Reykjavik she became friends with Hólmfríôur Árnadóttir with whom she corresponded about the Faith for many years. This same lady was then able to open many doors for Martha Root who followed in July of 1935. Hólmfríôur is considered the first believer in Iceland. [Bahá'í News No 417 10 December 1965 p10-11] Amelia Collins; Holmfriour Arnadottir; Iceland; Martha Root; Reykjavik, Iceland; Travel Teaching first Baha'i in Iceland
    1924 (In the year)
    192-
    The publication of Abdul Baha's First Days in America from the Diary of Juliet Thompson by Juliet Thompson. Note that portions of these extracts differ from The Diary of Juliet Thompson published in 1983 by Kalimat Press. * `Abdu'l-Bahá (chronology); `Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; Diary of Juliet Thompson; East Aurora, NY; Juliet Thompson; Pilgrims notes
    1924 (In the year)
    192-
    The publication of The Book of Assurance (The Book of Ighan) translated by Ali Kuli Khan with assistance from Howard MacNutt published by Brentano's Publishers for the Bahá'í Publishing Committee in New York. It was published a second time in 1929. [Collins1.10-11] `Alí Kulí Khán; Howard MacNutt; Kitáb-i-Íqán (Book of Certitude); New York, USA; United States (USA)
    1924 (In the year)
    192-
    The publication of The Divine Art of Living by Mary M Rabb. It had been serialized in Star of the West from Vol 7 No 16 (Dec 31, 1916) to Vol 8 No 13 (Nov 4, 1917) and later in World Order Vol 1 No 1 April 1940 to Vol 6 No 1 April, 1940. In 1924 was published in a leather bound volume and was reprinted in 1926 by Brentan's of New York. [Collins3.39 - 3.40]
  • The full text of the book is available online.
  • Divine Art of Living (book); Mary Rabb; New York City, NY
    1924 28 Jan
    192-
    Isabella Brittingham, Disciple of `Abdu'l-Bahá, passed away at the Revell home in Philadelphia. [SEBW138]
  • For her life see SEBW131-8.
  • See Brittingham, Isabella by Robert Stockman.
  • - Biography; - Disciples of `Abdu'l-Bahá; - In Memoriam; Isabella Brittingham; Philadelphia, PA; United States (USA)
    1924 9 Mar
    192-
    Two Bahá'ís were imprisoned for several months in Marághih, Iran, after two mullás stirred up trouble against the Bahá'ís. [BW18:388] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution; - Persecution, Arrests; Iran; Maraghih, Iran
    1924 late Mar
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi left the Holy Land in an effort to recuperate his health. [BKC200-208] * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel; Shoghi Effendi, Travels of
    1924 28 - 30 Mar
    192-
    A public conference devoted to Inter-racial Harmony and Peace, the third Race Amity Convention, was held at the public auditorium of the Community Church of NY on Park Avenue at 34th Street and at the Meeting House of the Society for Ethical Culture at 2 West 64th Street. Its organization was a collaborative effort with the NAACP, the National Urban League and the Bahá'í community participating. Presenters included Mr. Mountfort Mills, Mr. Franz Boas, Dr. Loro, Taracknath Das, Mr. Stephen S. Wise, Dr. Alain Locke, Mr. James Weldon Johnson, Ms. Ruth Morgan and Mr. John Finley. It was the third Racial Unity conference to be held. [Highlights of the First 40 Years of the Bahá'í Faith in New York, City of the Covenant, 1892-1932 by Hussein Ahdieh p23; BW2:282-3; SBR93; TMW1467; SYH126] - Conferences; New York, USA; Race amity; Race unity
    1924 2 Apr
    192-
    Bahá'ís in Turbat-i-Haydarí, Iran, were attacked; some were arrested and imprisoned and others were forced to leave the town permanently. [BW18:388] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution; - Persecution, Arrests; Iran; Turbat-i-Haydari, Iran
    1924 5 Apr
    192-
    Shaykh `Abdu'l-Majíd was beaten to death in Turshíz, Khurásán, Iran. [BW18:388] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution; - Persecution, Deaths; Iran; Khurásán, Iran; Turshíz, Iran
    1924 Ridván
    192-
    The formation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Egypt. It was the first national body in Africa. [BBRSM121; GPB333]
  • It was actually formed in December of 1924 but is listed under this date for uniformity.
  • "The Central Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís in the Egyptian State was registered on December 26, 1924 by the Cairo Mixed Court." [Prohibited Identities p31 footnote 53]
  • It was incorporated in 1934, but only as the National Spiritual Assembly of Egypt, and the incorporation document was not amended to include Sudan until 1949. [Baha'i News No 321 November 1957 p4]
  • This community became part of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of North East Africa in 1956.
  • Egypt; National Spiritual Assembly, formation The National Spiritual Assembly of Egypt was formed, the first national body in Africa.
    1924 22 Jun
    192-
    Aqá Husayn-`Alí was martyred in Firúzábád, Fárs, Iran. [BW18:388] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution; - Persecution, Deaths; Fars, Iran; Firuzabad, Iran; Iran
    1924 Jul
    192-
    The second local spiritual assembly in Australia was formed in Perth. Australia; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Perth, Australia
    3 Jul
    192-
    Louise Gregory embarked from Boston to Liverpool on the SS Winifredian of the Leyland Line. She spent the summer in the north of England and them visited a friend in Liverpool.

    In September she travelled to Luxembourg where she stayed six months finding accommodations again in the old city centre in the Place d'Armes. She was disappointed that her teaching efforts did not meet with more success. In April of 1925 she travelled to Austria. [SYH123, 130]

    Liverpool, England; Louise Gregory; Luxembourg; Teaching; United Kingdom
    1924 18 Jul
    192-
    American Vice-Consul Major Robert Imbrie was murdered in Tihrán for being a Bahá'í, which he was not, straining relations between the Persian and American governments. When Washington threatened to sever diplomatic relations, Persia arrested some two hundred mullás, formally apologized to the United States and accepted Washington's terms for full reparations. [BBR462-5; BW18:388, [AY277-279]
  • For a picture of the floral tribute sent to his funeral by the Bahá'ís of Persia and America see BW1:100.
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution; Iran; Major Robert Imbrie; Tehran, Iran; United States (USA)
    1924 Sep
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi returned to the Holy Land after an absence of some six months. [BA65-7; BBRSM117; UD279] * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Haifa, Israel; Shoghi Effendi, Travels of
    1924 22 Sep - 3 Oct
    192-
    The conference `Some Living Religions within the British Empire' was held in London. [BW2:225; ER233; GPB342]
  • For details of the planning of the conference and its outcome see ER231-5.
  • For Shoghi Effendi's attitude to the conference see UD17, 19, 21-2, 245.
  • Two papers about the Bahá'í Faith were read at the conference, one by Horace Holley read by Mountfort Mills and the other by Rúhí Afnán. [BW2:225; ER232-3; SBR73]
  • For texts of the papers see BW2:227-42.
  • Note that a paper was delivered by Richard St. Barbe Baker. As a result of attending the conference he met a Bahá'í and dedicated the rest of his life in service to the Cause. [Bahá'í Chronicles]
  • * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Afnan; Conferences, Other; Horace Holley; Interfaith dialogue; London, England; Mountfort Mills; Richard St. Barbe Baker; Ruhi Afnan; United Kingdom
    1924 (Latter part)
    192-
    In the latter part of 1924, Shoghi Effendi began the process of recording the recollection of the believers who had witnessed the early years of the Bábí and Bahá'í Dispensations. He called for a systematic campaign to assemble such narratives. In the Holy Land, companions of Bahá'u'lláh such as Áqá Husayn-i-Áshchí were interviewed for what they remembered of the days of Bahá'u'lláh and `Abdu'l-Bahá. Sometimes, as in the case of Áshchí, this happened literally on the person's deathbed. In addition, during the next two decades, the Guardian wrote to the Bahá'ís of Iran urging them to prepare detailed histories of each local community. He further called upon believers who had witnessed the unfolding of the Heroic Age to commit their experiences to writing.

    In the 19 February 1925 issue of the Baha'i News in Persian, Akhbar-i-Amri, there is an item indicating that the Central Assembly in Tehran had "recently" sent a circular letter to localities in Iran and abroad and appointed a committee to compile the history of the Faith.

  • One such narrative by Mírzá Habíb Afnán was entitled (Khátirát-i-Hayát) Memories of the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and `Abdu'l-Bahá. It is available in the English translation by Ahang Rabbani.
  • - Memoirs and chronicles; Ahang Rabbani; Bábí history; Bahá'í history; Mírzá Habib Afnan
    1924 22 - 23 Oct
    192-
    The fourth Race Amity Convention was held in Philadelphia. Because there were few Bahá'ís in the city at that time it required assistance from other communities. Roy Williams played a key role as he had in Springfield. Louis Gregory spent one month writing articles for the newspapers, speaking and serving in other ways.

    The first session was attended by some 600 people, and, thanks to the excellent press coverage, 900 were present the second day.

    The following day, on the 24th of October, the Bahá'í supported a Conference on Inter-racial Justice organized by the Quakers. Followup meetings were held on the 25th and the 26th of October. [SYD147-149]

    Louis G. Gregory; Philadelphia, PA; Race amity; Roy Williams; United States (USA)
    1924 Nov
    192-
    The Supreme Court of Iraq decided against the Bahá'ís in the dispute over the House of Bahá'u'lláh in Baghdád. [UD37-8; BN No 9 Dec 1925/Jan 1926 p1] - Persecution; - Persecution, Court cases; Court cases; House of Bahá'u'lláh (Baghdad); Iraq; Persecution, Iraq
    1924 21 Nov
    192-
    Dr John E. Esslemont arrived in Haifa to help Shoghi Effendi with his work. [DJEE31; SBR233] * Shoghi Effendi (chronology); Esslemont; Haifa, Israel
    1924 Dec
    192-
    Martha Root gave the first African radio broadcast about the Bahá'í Faith, in Capetown. - Africa; Cape Town, South Africa; Martha Root; Radio first African radio broadcast about the Bahá'í Faith, in Cape Town.
    1924 24 Dec
    192-
    The first Bahá'í News Letter, forerunner of Bahá'í News, was published in New York by the National Assembly of the United States and Canada with Horace Holley as the editor. [BBRSM122; BW10:180; BW13:856; SBR232]
  • For links to the publications see entry at 1990-10-00.
  • * Publications; - First publications; - Newsletters; - Periodicals; Bahá'í News; Horace Holley; New York, USA; United States (USA)
    1925 (In the year)
    192-
    Shoghi Effendi established the International Bahá'í Archives on Mount Carmel, one site adjoining the Shrine of the Báb and the other was located in the immediate vicinity of the resting-place of the Greatest Holy Leaf. [GPB347]
  • See the instructions given by Bahá'u'lláh regarding the preservation of Texts in Archives, Bahá'í: Preserving and Safeguarding the Sacred Texts by / on behalf of Universal House of Justice.
  • Note that the function of the archives was written into the Constitution of the Universal House of Justice:

      "To ensure the preservation of the Sacred Texts and to safeguard their inviolability; to analyse, classify, and coordinate the Writings; and to defend and protect the Cause of God and emancipate it from the fetters of repression and persecution;"
  • Messages were sent by Shoghi Effendi and on behalf of Shoghi Effendi regarding the Importance of collecting and safeguarding Bahá'í Writings as well as establishing local archives. This and subsequent appeals included a call for the donation of relics related to the history of the Faith as well as transcriptions of talks given by the Master.. [Writings, Bahá'í: Importance of collecting and safeguarding compiled by Bahá'í International Archives, published in Bahá'í Studies Review 11, pages 100-102 (2003)
  • * `Abdu'l-Bahá, Writings and talks of; * Bahá'u'lláh, Writings of; - Bahá'í World Centre; Archives; Archives; International Bahá'í Archives
    1925 (Early in the year)
    192-
    Johanne Sorensen became a Bahá'í in Hawaii, the first Dane to accept the Faith. She returned to Denmark soon afterwards and remained the only Bahá'í there for 21 years. [SBBR14p233; Bahá'í Chronicles Johanne Sorensen Hoeg]
  • In the period 1925 to 1957 she corresponded with the Guardian. The correspondence includes more than one hundred letters, mostly on the subject of translation. [SBBR14p235]
  • For a history of the development of the Faith in Denmark see The Circle, the Brotherhood, and the Ecclesiastical God: The Bahá'í Faith in Denmark, 1925-1987 by Margit Warburg in Bahá'ís in the West SBBH Vol 14 pp229-263. It is also available on Bahai-Library.com.
  • See The Circle, the Brotherhood, and the Ecclesiastical Body: The Bahá'í Faith in Denmark 1925-1987 by Margit Warburg. [SBBH14p222]
  • Denmark; Hawaii, USA; Johanne Sorensen first Dane to accept the Faith
    1925 (In the year)
    192-
    The Bahá'í Esperanto magazine, La Nova Tago (The New Day) was first published. [BBRSM150]
  • It continued publication until 1937. [BBRSM150]
  • * Publications; - Periodicals; Esperanto; La Nova Tago (The New Day) first publication La Nova Tago (The New Day)
    1925 (In the year)
    192-
    Fanny Knobloch and her sister Pauline Hannen were the first Bahá'ís to visit Southern Rhodesia. Fanny Knobloch; Pauline Hannen; Southern Rhodesia first Bahá’ís to visit Southern Rhodesia
    1925 (In the year)
    192-
    At the suggestion of Horace Holley a Bahá'í yearbook was published under the name Bahá'í Year Book and subsequent editions were called The Bahá'í World, A Biennial International Record. Although it was published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, Shoghi Effendi was the editor-in-chief. Volume 13 (1954-1963) saw publication shift to the Bahá'í World Centre and in 1992 the format changed. The last year of publication was 2006. [PP209-212, SETPE1p107] * Publications; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Bahá'í World volumes; Shoghi Effendi, Works of; Shoghi Effendi, Writings of; United States (USA)
    1925 (In the year)
    192-
    Lorol Schopflocher was sent by the Guardian to speak with King Feisal of Iraq. The King was not receiving visitors so she made an unorthodox entrance by driving her car through the gates at high speed and coming to an abrupt stop in front of the palace. [SETPE1p105]
  • Her autobiographical book, Sunburst, p150, gives a somewhat different account of this incident.
  • Baghdad, Iraq; House of Bahá'u'lláh (Baghdad); Iraq; King Faisal; Lorol Schopflocher
    1925 (In the year)
    192-
    The publication of The Universal Consciousness of the Bahá'í Revelation by Charles Mason Remey. It was described as a brief treatise introductory to the study of the Bahá'í Revelation. * Publications; Charles Mason Remey
    1925 (In the year)
    192-
    The publication of A Series of Twelve Articles Introductory to the Study of the Bahá'í Teachings Treating briefly of the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, History, Organization, Religious and Secular Doctrines and Institutions by Charles Mason Remey. It was published by the Bahá'í Publishing Committee of New York. 184p. * Publications; Charles Mason Remey; New York, USA; New York, USA
    1925 (In the year)
    192-
    The first book translated into Portuguese by Leonora Armstrong was published, Paris Talks, in the original in English, or Lectures by 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Paris as published today by Editora Bahá'í of Brazil. [Biographical Profile] * Translation; Belém, Brazil; Leonora Holsapple Armstrong; Paraguay; Paris Talks (book); Portuguese language
    1925 Jan
    192-
    The Spiritual Assembly of Alexandria was established, the second assembly to be formed in Africa. - Africa; Alexandria, Egypt; Local Spiritual Assembly first Spiritual Assembly in Alexandria
    1925 Jan
    192-
    The American Bahá'ís published Shoghi Effendi's revised Hidden Words. [EJR255]
  • Another translation was made in 1926–7. [EJR254; GT55–8]
  • * Publications; * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Translation; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Kalimat-i-Maknunih (Hidden Words); Shoghi Effendi, Translations by; Shoghi Effendi, Works of; United States (USA)
    1925 Mar
    192-
    In the Bahá'í News Letter the bulletin of the National Spiritual Assembly of the US and Canada, the secretary, Horace Holley, announced that the National Assembly had made a comprehensive series of excerpts from all the general letters of Shoghi Effendi written from 21 January 1922 to 27 November 1924 and had the Publishing Committee print it in booklet form entitled Letters from Shoghi Effendi. [Bahaipedia; Bahá'í News Letter No 3 March 1925 p1] New York City, NY; Shoghi Effendi, letters of
    1925 20- 22 Mar
    192-
    The Palace Hotel, the city's first premier luxury hotel, was the site for the first World Unity Conference in San Francisco. The three day event was organized by Leroy Ioas, Ella Goodall Cooper and Kathryn Frankland in cooperation with Rabbi Rudolph Coffee. Dr. David Starr Jordan, founding president of Stanford University, served as the honorary chairman of the conference. Those who addressed the conference were Rabbi Coffee and Dr. Jordan but also the senior priest of the Catholic Cathedral, a professor of religion, a Protestant minister of a large African-American congregation, distinguished academics, and a foreign diplomat. The last one to address the conference was the Persian Bahá'í scholar, Mírzá Asadu'llah Fádil Mázandarání, the only Bahá'í on the program.
  • Ioas provided the National Spiritual Assembly with a report, and he suggested that similar World Unity Conferences be held in other communities. The National Assembly enthusiastically agreed and established a three-person committee, including two of its officers, to assist other localities in their efforts to hold conferences. The committee members were Horace Holley, Florence Reed Morton, and Mary Rumsey Movius. World Unity Conferences were organized for Green Acre-August, Philadelphia-September, Cleveland-October and Chicago in November.

    During 1926 and into 1927, eighteen communities held World Unity Conferences using the San Francisco model. These included Worcester, Massachusetts; New York, New York Oct 10-12; Montreal, Canada; Cleveland, Ohio; Dayton, Ohio; Hartford, Connecticut; New Haven, Connecticut; Chicago, Illinois; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; and Buffalo, New York. [BN No 12 Jun-Jul 1926 p6-7; The Cause of Universal Peace: 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Enduring Impact by Kathryn Jewett Hogenson; LI45-49; BN No 20 Nov 1927 p5]

  • See BA117 for Shoghi Effendi's comments and recommendations.
  • California, USA; Conferences, Race Amity; Conferences, World unity; Ella Goodall Cooper; Kathryn Frankland; Leroy Ioas; San Francisco, CA; United States (USA)
    1925
    192-
    There were 43 local spiritual assemblies in North America by this date. [BBRSM121] Local Spiritual Assembly; North America; Statistics; United States (USA)
    1925
    192-
    Of the 38 localities where Bahá'ís resided in Europe, 26 were in Germany. [BBRSM182] - Europe; Germany; Statistics
    1925 Apr
    192-
    Louise Gregory travelled from Luxembourg to Vienna where she met William Herrigel. She accompanied him to Graz where he delivered a couple of lectures. Louise stayed in Graz for about one month. [SVH130-132]
  • It was probably during this time that she met Lydia Zamenhof in Geneva. [SYH150]
  • Austria; Graz, Austria; Lidia Zamenhof; Louise Gregory; Lydia Zamenhof; Teaching; Vienna, Austria; William Herrigel
    1925 5 Apr
    192-
    The death of Mohammad-Ali Shah Qajar (b. 21 June 1872 in Tabriz, Azerbaijan, Persia) in exile in San Remo, Italy. He was buried at the Shrine of Imam Husain, Karbala, Iraq. His son and successor, Ahmad Shah Qajar was the last sovereign of the Qajar dynasty. [Wikipedia] Ahmad Shah Qajar; Italy; Mohammad-`Alí Sháh Qajár; San Remo, Italy

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