Bahai Library Online

Chronology of the Bahá'í Faith

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Date 196-, sorted by firsts, descending

date event tags firsts
1962 Mar
196-
Aboubacar Kâ, a school teacher and the first Senegalese known to become a Bahá'í, enrolled. - Africa; - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Senegal the first Senegalese Bahá’í
1963 22 Apr
196-
The results of the election of the Universal House of Justice were announced at the close of the morning session of the International Convention: Charles Wolcott, 'Alí Nakhjavání, H. Borrah Kavelin, Ian Semple, Lutfu'lláh Hakím, David Hofman, Hugh Chance, Amoz Gibson and Hushmand Fatheazam. [BBD231–3; BBRSM131; BW14:425 MoC425; SS50; VVXI-XII]
  • For a picture of the Hands of the Cause of God with the Universal House of Justice see ZK123.
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; Alí Nakhjavání; Amoz Gibson; Charles Wolcott; Conventions, International; David Hofman; Elections; Firsts, other; H. Borrah Kavelin; Haifa, Israel; Hugh Chance; Hushmand Fatheazam; Ian Semple; Lutfullah Hakim; Universal House of Justice, Election of; Universal House of Justice, Members of Mr Amos Gibson was the first black member of the Universal House of Justice
    1965 (In the year)
    196-
    The great, great, granddaughter of Chief Sitting Bull, Ina McNeil, became a Baha'i. She was born on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in South Dakota and is a member of the Hunkpapa Lakota tribe and the first Lakota to become a Bahá'í.

    She was convinced of the truth of the Bahá'í Revelation because of the similarities between it and her Lakota heritage; to cite two examples, the legend of the return of White Buffalo Calf Maiden and the prophecies of Black Elk and his vision of Bahá'u'lláh. [Article by Radiance Talley]

  • See a second article on her art.
  • Black Elk; Chief Sitting Bull; Ina McNeil; Long Island, NY; New York, USA; South Dakota, USA; Standing Rock Sioux Reservation; White Buffalo Calf Maiden Ina McNeil become the first Lakota to become a Bahá'í.
    1968 Ridván
    196-
    The formation of the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands. A special celebration was held in a hotel in Kirkwall, and Philip Hainsworth came and represented the National Spiritual Assembly. [Uk Bahá'í Histories] Kirkwall, Orkney Islands formation of the first Spiritual Assembly of the Orkney Islands
    1968 1 or 2 Jan
    196-
    The passing of Euphemia (Effie) Eleanor Baker (b.25 March 1880 at Goldsborough, Victoria) in Waverley, New South Wales.
  • For Effie Baker's obituary see BW14:320-1.
  • She became a Bahá'í in 1922 after attending a lecture by Clara and Hyde Dunn in Melbourne. She was the first woman to converted to the Faith in Australia.
  • She served in Haifa from 1925 to 1936. See SETPE1p105-107 for her contribution during that period.
  • In the 1930s Effie Baker travelled to Persia to take photographs of historical sites. Many of these photographs were included in The Dawnbreakers. [BW14:320]
  • Hear The Life of Effie Baker written and read by Sonjel Vreeland.
  • She was buried in the Bahá'í Cemetery in Mona Vale. [Australian Dictionary of Biography]
  • See The Adventures of Effie Baker. The film features the contributions of Ballarat historian, Dr Anne Beggs-Sunter and Australian Baha’i historian, Dr Graham Hassall.
  • - Biography; - Births and deaths; - In Memoriam; Australia; Cemeteries and graves; Dawn-Breakers (book); Effie Baker; New South Wales; Waverly, New South Wales first woman Baha'i in Australia.
    1962 20 Jul
    196-
    The passing of Harlan Foster Ober (b. October 6, 1881 in Beverly, Massachusetts) in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.
  • He had graduated from Harvard University in 1905 with a B.A. and later obtained a law degree from Northeastern University in Boston.
  • Harlan Ober became a Bahá'í at Green Acre in 1905. Another source said it was in the spring of 1906 in a room in the Commonwealth Hotel in Boston that he overcame his doubts while using a prayer and other literature given to him by Lua Getsinger. [LDNW23; 100-101; SBR120-121]
  • Hooper Harris and Lua Getsinger's brother, Dr. William Moore, were selected to make a teaching trip to India. When Moore died suddenly Harlan Ober was chosen to replace him. As he had no funds for the trip Lua borrowed the money from Mr Hervey Lunt, the father of Alfred Lunt. [LGHC105]
  • In 1906 he made a visit to 'Abdu'l-Bahá while He was still confined to prison.
  • On the 17th of July, 1912 he married Grace Roberts (aunt of future Hand of the Cause John Robarts) in a ceremony conducted by the Reverend Howard Colby Ives at 209 West 78th Street in New York. When 'Abdu'l-Bahá visited America in 1912 He had suggested that Grace Robarts and Harlan marry, and they both agreed with the match, with Harlan travelling to New York from Boston and proposing in Central Park after being informed of the suggestion by Lua Getsinger. 'Abdu'l-Bahá performed the marriage ceremony in the room he was staying in in New York on July 17, 1912, and Howard Colby Ives later performed a legal ceremony. [SoW Vol 3 No 12 p14; Bahaipedia; The Jouney West, July 2012; Mother's Stories: Stories of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and Early Believers told by Muriel Ives Barrow Newhall to her son, p. 20]
  • They adopted three children of English, German and Russian background.
  • It was from their home in Cambridge, MA, from the office of the National Teaching Committee, that the first Teaching Bulletin was issued on November 19, 1919. This bulletin evolved to the US Baha'i News.
  • He was closely involved with Race Unity work and made many teaching trips to the southern states with his friend Louis Gregory.
  • He served on the Bahá'í Temple Unity Executive Board as president or secretary from 1918 to 1920. The work of this board was taken over by the National Spiritual Assembly when it was elected in 1922.
  • In 1938 Harlan was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada and he served on it until 1941.
  • Grace passed away in 1938, leaving Harlan widowed.
  • He married his second wife, Dr Elizabeth Kidder Ober in Beverly, MA on the 21st of June, 1941. Shoghi Effendi was pleased with the way the marriage was conducted, without having any church ceremony or minister conduct the service. [BW13p869, 871]
  • After their pilgrimage in 1956 Harlan and Elizabeth Ober travelled to South Africa where they helped form the first all-African Local Spiritual Assembly in Pretoria as had previously been request of them by the Guardian. They returned in December as pioneers. [BW13869]
  • He was appointed to the Auxiliary Board for Protection in Africa in October of 1957 and served on the National Teaching Committee of South and West Africa for two years.
  • He was buried in the Zandfontein Cemetery in Pretoria. [BW13p870; Find a grave; Bahaipedia; BW13p869]
  • - Biography; - In Memoriam; Auxiliary board members; Beverly, MA; Elizabeth Kidder Ober; Elizabeth Kidder Ober; Grace Robarts Ober; Harlan Ober; Pretoria, South Africa; Race unity; South Africa; US Bahá'í News; United States (USA) first US Baha'i News;
    1963 21 Apr
    196-
    Establishment of the Universal House of Justice
  • The Universal House of Justice was elected for the first time. [BW14:427; MoC424]
      Those elected were: Charles Wolcott, ‘Alí’ Nakhjavani, H. Barrah Kavelin, Ian Semple, Luṭfu’lláh Ḥakím, David Hofman, Hugh Chance, Amoz Gibson, and Ḥushmand Fatheazam. [BW14p425]
  • The election was held at 9:30 in the morning at the home of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, 7 Haparsim Street, Haifa. [BW14:427; MoC425]
  • Ballots were received from all 56 national spiritual assemblies. [BW14:427]
  • 288 members of 51 national spiritual assemblies were present at the election. [BW14:427]
  • For a list of the electors see MoC406–13.
  • For details of the election see BW14:425–9 and MoC20–1.
  • The election marked the end of the Second Epoch during which time the Faith had spread globally. The Third Epoch began.
  • * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Basic timeline, Condensed; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Alí Nakhjavání; Amoz Gibson; Appointed arm; Borah Kavelin; Charles Wolcott; Conventions, International; Covenant; Cycles, Eras, Ages and Epochs; David Hofman; Elections; Firsts, other; Formative Age; Haifa, Israel; Hugh Chance; Hushmand Fatheazam; Ian Semple; Lutfullah Hakim; Universal House of Justice, Basic timeline; Universal House of Justice, Election of first Universal House of Justice elected.
    1969 Aug
    196-
    The Bahá'í Faith was legally recognized in Lebanon when the Local Spiritual Assembly of Beirut was incorporated. [BW15:173]
  • This was the first time any Arab government has granted the Faith recognition. [BW15:173]
  • Beirut, Lebanon; Lebanon; Local Spiritual Assemblies; Recognition (legal) first time an Arab government recognized Bahá'í Faith
    1960 Dec
    196-
    Mr Yan Kee Leong of Malaysia took the Bahá'í Faith to the remote Iban people of Brunei. Brunei; Yan Kee Leong first teacher Iban people
    1961 Oct
    196-
    The first summer school to be held on Rarotonga Island took place. - Islands; Cook Islands; First summer and winter schools; Rarotonga, Cook Islands; Summer schools first summer school on Rarotonga Island
    1968 summer
    196-
    The first summer school to be held in Ireland bagin. First summer and winter schools; Ireland; Summer schools first summer school in Ireland
    1963 30 Apr
    196-
    The members of the Universal House of Justice were presented to the World Congress and the first statement of the House of Justice was read by David Hofman. [BW14:68]
  • For the text of the statement see BW14:431–2 and WG1–3.
  • Bahá'í World Congress, First (1963); David Hofman; London, England; United Kingdom; Universal House of Justice, Members of first statement of UHJ
    1967 3 May
    196-
    Patsy Vincent, a youth from Castries and the first St Lucian to become a Bahá'í, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; St. Lucia first St Lucian Bahá’í
    1965 (In the year)
    196-
    Nils and Sigrid Rutfjäll, the first Samer (Lapps) to become Bahá'ís, enrolled in northern Norway. [BW5:483] - First believers by background; - Indigenous people; Norway; Sámi people; Sápmi first Samer (Lapps) Bahá’ís
    1968 19 Feb
    196-
    His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II of Western Samoa, the first reigning monarch to become a Bahá'í, wrote to the Universal House of Justice confirming his acceptance of the Faith. [BW15:180–3]
  • See Bahá'í Chronicles for the story of his enrollment.
  • - Bahá'í royalty; Firsts, other; Malietoa Tanumafili II of Western Samoa; Royalty; Samoa first reigning monarch Bahá’í
    1968 9 Sep
    196-
    Gerald (Jerry) Van Deusen, a 24-year-old American Bahá'í from the Windward, Leeward and Virgin Islands and the first pioneer to Upper Volta, arrived in Ouagadougou. - Pioneers; - Travel teachers and pioneers, First; Gerald (Jerry) Van Deusen; Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Upper Volta, Burkina Faso first pioneer to Upper Volta
    1965 (In the year)
    196-
    The first pioneer to the San Andrés and Providencia Islands settled there briefly. - Travel teachers and pioneers, First; San Andres and Providencia Islands first pioneer to the San Andrés and Providencia Islands
    1967 (In the year)
    196-
    Mr O. T. Shelton arrived on St Eustatius in the West Leeward Islands, the first pioneer to the island. - Travel teachers and pioneers, First; Leeward Islands first pioneer to St Eustatius
    1964 Jun
    196-
    Isaac Eziukwu, a Nigerian who had become a Bahá'í in Bangui, Central African Republic, in 1956, arrived in Libreville, Gabon, the first pioneer to the country. [BW16:522–3] Gabon; Isaac Eziukwu; Libreville, Gabon first pioneer to Gabon
    1966 17 April
    196-
    Ivor Ellard, a British resident of the United States, arrived Dominica, the first pioneer to the island.
  • Two days later William Nedden settled on the island.
  • - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Dominica first pioneer to Dominica
    1967 c.
    196-
    Egbert Barrett arrived on Carriacou from Grenada, the first pioneer to the island. - Pioneers; - Travel teachers and pioneers, First; Carriacou, Grenada; Egbert Barrett first pioneer to Carriacou
    1962 Apr
    196-
    Virginia Breaks, Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the Caroline Islands, moved to Saipan, the largest Island and capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, a territory of the United States. She was the first pioneer to the area.

    She remained in the Caroline Islands for fifty years, serving as an Auxiliary Board member for twenty. [BW22p320]

    - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Pioneers; Saipan, Mariana Islands; Virginia Breaks first pioneer Saipan
    1966 29 Sep
    196-
    Frances A. Foss, the first pioneer on St Maarten, arrived in Philipsburg. - Pioneers; - Travel teachers and pioneers, First; Frances A. Foss; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Maarten first pioneer on St Maarten
    1969 29 Dec - 1970 2 Jan
    196-
    The First Pacific Area Bahá'í Youth Conference took place in Apia, Western Samoa. [BW15:329–30]
  • For picture see BW15:330.
  • - Conferences, International; - First conferences; Apia, Samoa; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; Oceania; Samoa; Youth First Pacific Area Bahá’í Youth Conference
    1963 23 Apr
    196-
    The State funeral of Izhak Ben Zvi, second President of Israel was attended by two Hands of the Cause and two members of the Universal House of Justice. [BW14:92–3]
  • This was the first official act of the Universal House of Justice. [BW14:92–3]
  • Israel; Izhak Ben Zvi first official act of UHJ
    1968 23 – 25 Aug
    196-
    The first Oceanic Conference took place in Palermo, Sicily, to commemorate the arrival of Bahá'u'lláh in the Holy Land. [BW15:73, 178; VV3]
  • It was attended by some 2,300 Bahá'ís from 67 countries. [BW15:73]
  • For details of the conference, maps and pictures see BW15:72–80.
  • See the message sent to the conference from the Universal House of Justice in which it was stated:
      Contemplating this awe-inspiring, supernal episode, we may obtain a clearer understanding of our own times, a more confident view of their outcome and a deeper apprehension of the part we are called upon to play. That the violent disruption which has seized the entire planet is beyond the ability of men to assuage, unaided by God's revelation, is a truth repeatedly and forcibly set forth in our Writings. The old order cannot be repaired; it is being rolled up before our eyes. The moral decay and disorder convulsing human society must run their course; we can neither arrest nor divert them.
  • - Conferences; Italy; Oceanic Conference; Palermo, Italy first Oceanic Conference in Palermo
    1967 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Zambia (Northern Rhodesia) was formed with its seat in Lusaka. [BW14p96; Ridván 1966 Lusaka, Zambia; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Zambia first NSA Zambia
    1967 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Leeward, Windward and Virgin Islands was formed with its seat in Charlotte Amalie. [BW14:93; Ridván 1966 Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Leeward Islands; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Virgin Islands, US; Windward Islands first NSA Windward, Leeward and Virgin Islands
    1964 Ridván
    196-
    The existing National Spiritual Assembly of North West Africa that had been formed in 1956 was split into two regions, the Spiritual Assembly of West Africa and the "new" North West Africa region with its seat in Tunis included the following countries: Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Rio de Oro, Spanish Sahara, Ifni, Madeira, Canary Islands. [BW14p96]
  • The seat of the National Spiritual Assembly of North West Africa was transferred from Tunis (1963-1967) to Rabat (1967-1974). [BW14p97]
  • Algeria; Canary Islands, Spain; Ifni, Morocco; Madeira; Mauritania; Morocco; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Rio de Oro, Spanish Sahara; Spanish Sahara; Tunisia first NSA West Africa
    1964 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Vietnam was formed with its seat in Saigon and having jurisdiction over the Bahá'ís of Cambodia. [BW14p99]
  • By 8 October the National Assembly was incorporated. [Bahaipedia]
  • Cambodia; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Saigon, Vietnam; Vietnam first NSA Viet Nam
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Venezuela was formed. [BW13:258] National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Venezuela first NSA Venezuela
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Uruguay was formed. [BW13:258]
  • For picture see BW13:268.
  • National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Uruguay first NSA Uruguay
    1964 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Uganda and Central Africa was formed with its seat in Kampala. [BW14p96]
  • This Assembly had jurisdiction over the following countries: Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo Republic, (Leopoldville), Congo Republic, (Brazzaville), Gabon, Central African Republic, and Chad.
  • Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo; Burundi; Central African Republic; Chad; Congo, Democratic Republic of; Gabon; Kampala, Uganda; Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Rwanda; Uganda first NSA Uganda and Central Africa
    1964 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Thailand was formed with its seat in Bangkok and having jurisdiction over the Bahá'ís of Laos. [BW14p99] Bangkok, Thailand; Laos; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Thailand first NSA Thailand
    1964 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Tanganyika and Zanzibar was formed with its seat in Dar-es-Salaam. The jurisdiction included Pemba and Mafia Island. Those elected were: H. S. Akida, Mary Elston, Allen Elston, Lamuka Mwangulu, Wallace NgaUomba, Jalal Nakhjavani, Glory Nyirenda, Jamsheed Samandari, and Ruhulah Yazdani.
  • In 1965 there were seventy-five local assemblies and Bahá'is in around 265 locations. [BW14p96; History of the Bahá'í Faith in Tanzania]

    In 1964 Tanganyika merged with Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, later renamed the United Republic of Tanzania so now it is call the National Spiritual Assembly of Tanzania.

  • Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Tanganyika, Tanzania; Tanzania; Zanzibar, Tanzania first NSA Tanganyika and Zanzibar
    1967 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Taiwan was formed with its seat in Taipei. [BW14p99; The Taiwan Bahá'í Chronicle by Barbara R. Sims p51] National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Taipei, Taiwan; Taiwan first NSA Taiwan
    1962 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Switzerland was formed. [BW13:283]
  • For picture see BW13:282.
  • National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Switzerland first NSA Switzerland
    1962 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Sweden was formed. Since 1957 they had been part of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of Scandinavia (Norway and Sweden) plus Denmark and Finland. [BW13:283]
  • For picture see BW13:281 or BN No373 August 1962 p7.
  • National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Sweden first NSA Sweden
    1967 Ridván
    196-
    The mother region of South and West Africa was divided again and the National Spiritual Assembly of Swaziland, (now eSwatini), Mozambique and Basutoland (now Lesotho) was formed with its seat in Mbabane. That left only Angola, St. Helena, South West Africa, and South Africa under the National Spiritual Assembly of South and West Africa. [BN no608 November 1981 p11; Ridván 1966]
  • Those elected to serve were: Bothata Pokane, Wellington Malindise, Christopher Kuhlase, Rudolfo Duna, Benjamin Dlamini, Charles Ducker, John Allen, Dale Allen and Valera Allen. [BW14p96; BN no440 November 1967 p10]
  • During the period that the National Spiritual Assembly was in existence from 1967 to 1980 it administered South Africa, South West Africa/Namibia, and St. Helena Island, as well as the newly created countries of Transkei, Bophuthatswana and Venda. [BN no608 November 1981 p11]
  • Eswatini; Lesotho, South Africa; Mbabane, Eswatini; Mozambique; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Swaziland first NSA Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozambique
    1962 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Spain was formed. Since 1957 the had come under the jurisdiction of the Regional Spiritual Assembly for the Iberian Peninsula. [BW13:283]
  • For picture see BW13:281.
  • Its first members were: Antonio Jimenez, Luis Ortuno, Francisco Salas, Jose Lopez Monge, Ruhollah Mehrabhkani, Carlos Chias, Ramon Escartin, Isidro Torrella, and Charles Ioas.[Baháʼí News. No. 376. August 1959 p. 14]
  • Andorra was placed under the jurisdiction of this National Assembly and with the launching of the Nine Year Plan France was assigned to assist in the consolidation of Andorra. [BW14p121]
  • National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Spain first NSA Spain
    1964 Ridván
    196-
    The Regional Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific Islands was dissolved and the territory divided into two National Spiritual Assembly areas, South Pacific Ocean and South West Pacific Ocean. The National Spiritual Assembly of the South West Pacific Ocean was formed with its seat in Honiara and comprising the Solomon Islands, the New Hebrides Islands, New Caledonia and the Loyalty Islands. [BW14p99] Honiara, Solomon Islands; Loyalty Islands; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; New Caledonia; Solomon Islands; Vanuatu first NSA South West Pacific Ocean
    1964 Ridván
    196-
    The Regional Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific Islands was dissolved and the territory divided into two National Spiritual Assembly areas, South West Pacific Ocean and South Pacific Ocean. The National Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific Ocean was formed with its seat in Suva comprising the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Nauru Island, Fiji, Western Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga and Cook Islands. [BW14p99] American Samoa; Cook Islands; Fiji; Gilbert and Ellice Islands; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Nauru Island; Suva, Fiji; Tonga; Western Samoa first NSA South Pacific Ocean
    1964 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of South and West Africa that was formed in 1956, was altered and two additional national assemblies were formed, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Indian Ocean,(Mauritius, Réunion and Madagascar) and the National Spiritual Assembly of South Central Africa and leaving the altered South and West Africa leaving only Angola, Basutoland, St. Helena, South West Africa, South Africa and Swaziland.

    The National Spiritual Assembly of South Central Africa was formed with its seat in Salisbury had jurisdiction over the following countries: Northern Rhodesia, Malawi (formerly changed in 1964 from Nyasaland), Southern Rhodesia, and Botswana (formerly Bechuanaland; name changed in 1966). [BW14p96; BW15:195; BN no608 November 1981 p11]

  • The National Spiritual Assembly of the Indian Ocean included Mauritius, the Chagos Archipelago, Madagascar, the Malagasy Republic, Seychelles, Comoros and Réunion. [BN no608 November 1981 p11]
  • Bechuanaland; Harare, Zimbabwe; Malawi; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Northern Rhodesia; Southern Rhodesia; Zimbabwe first NSA South Central Africa
    1967 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Sikkim was formed with its seat in Gangtok. [BW14p99]
  • This national assembly was absorbed into India some time prior to Ridván 1992. [BW21p27]
  • Gangtok, Sikkim; India; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Sikkim, India first NSA Sikkim
    1962 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Portugal was formed. [BW13:283]
  • For picture see BW13:280.
  • National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Portugal first NSA Portugal
    1964 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Philippines was formed with its seat in Manila. [BW14p99] Manila, Philippines; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Philippines first NSA Philippines
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Peru was formed. [BW13:258] National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Peru first NSA Peru
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Paraguay was formed. [BW13:258] National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Paraguay first NSA Paraguay
    1969 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Papua New Guinea was formed with its seat in Lae. [BW15:265]
  • For picture see BW15:142.
  • Lae, Papua New Guinea; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Papua New Guinea first NSA Papua New Guinea
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Panama was formed. [BW13:258] National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Panama first NSA Panama
    1962 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Norway was formed. Since 1957 they had been part of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of Scandinavia (Norway and Sweden) plus Denmark and Finland. [BW13:283]
  • For picture see BW13:280.
  • National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Norway first NSA Norway
    1964 Ridván
    196-
    The existing National Spiritual Assembly of North West Africa that had been formed in 1956 was split into two regions, the "new" North West Africa region and the Spiritual Assembly of West Africa with its seat in Monrovia.

    This latter assembly, Spiritual Assembly of West Africa, Ivory Coast; Mali, and Upper Volta, had jurisdiction over the following countries: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Gambia, Senegal, Portuguese Guinea, and Cape Verde Islands. [BW14p96; BN No 393 Dec 1964 p2 ]

    Cape Verde; Gambia, The; Guinea; Ivory Coast; Liberia; Mali; Monrovia, Liberia; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Portuguese Guinea; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Upper Volta, Burkina Faso first NSA North West Africa
    1964 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of North East Asia was re-formed with its seat in Tokyo comprising Japan, Formosa, Hong Kong and Macao. [BW14p102] Hong Kong; Japan; Macau; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Taiwan; Tokyo, Japan first NSA North East Asia
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Nicaragua was formed. [BW13:258] National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Nicaragua first NSA Nicaragua
    1962 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Netherlands was formed. Since 1957 it had come under the jurisdiction of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Benelux Countries. [BW13:283]
  • For picture see BW13:279.
  • National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Netherlands first NSA Netherlands
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Mexico was formed. Those elected were: Mrs. Florence Mayberry, Samuel Burafato, Dr. Edris Rice-Wray, Sra. Carmen de Burafato, Mrs. Chappie Angulo, Earl Morris, Mrs. Anna Howard, Mrs. Valeria Nichols, and Harold Murray. [BW13:258]
  • For picture see BW13:266.
  • Mexico; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Mexico
    1964 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia (known as Malaya prior to 1963) was formed with its seat in Kuala Lumpur and comprising Malaya, Singapore, Brunei, Sabah, and Sarawak. Prior to this time the area was under the guidance of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of India, Pakistan and Burma, owing to the fact that the Guardian had entrusted the growth and development of the Faith to that assembly in 1950. [BW14p99; Bahaipedia Malaysia] British Malaya; Brune, Malaysia; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Malaysia; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Sabah, Malaysia; Sarawak, Malaysia; Singapore first NSA Malaysia
    1962 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Luxembourg was formed. Since 1957 it had come under the jurisdiction of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Benelux Countries. [BW13:283]
  • For picture see BW13:279.
  • Luxembourg; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Luxembourg
    1967 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Laos was formed with its seat in Vientiane. [BW14p99] Laos; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Vientiane, Laos first NSA Laos
    1964 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Korea was formed with its seat in Seoul. [BW14p99] Korea; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Seoul, South Korea first NSA Korea
    1964 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Kenya was formed with its seat in Nairobi. Its members were: Its members were: James Wasilwa, Aziz Yazdi, Elamu Muswahili, Taherih Ala'i, Festas Mulkalama, Bonaventure Wafula, Julius Makanda, Frank Mnkoyani, and Christopher Musambai. [Bahá'í News No 409 April 1965 p8; BW14p96] Aziz Yazdi; Bonaventure Wafula; Christopher Musambai; Elamu Muswahili; Festas Mulkalama; Frank Mnkoyani; James Wasilwa; Julius Makanda; Kenya; Nairobi, Kenya; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Taherih Alai first NSA Kenya
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Jamaica was formed. Since 1957 they had come under the jurisdiction of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Greater Antilles. [BW13:258]
  • Elected Randolph Fitz-Henley, William A. W. Mitchell, Alfred Senior, Clarence Ullrich, Alice Maud Gallier, Percival Aiken, Emily Taylor, Margarite Ullrich and Ruby Taylor. [The Gleaner]
  • Jamaica; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Jamaica
    1964 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Indonesia was formed with its seat in Djakarta and comprising Indonesia, the Mentawai Islands, Portuguese Timor and West Irian. [BW14p99] Indonesia; Jakarta, Indonesia; Mentawai Islands; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Portuguese Timor; West Irian, New Guinea first NSA Indonesia
    1964 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of South and West Africa that was formed in 1956, was altered and two additional national assemblies were formed, Indian Ocean, and South Central Africa. South and West Africa remained.

    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Indian Ocean was formed with its seat in Port Louis had jurisdiction over the following countries: Mauritius, Chagos Archipelago, Rodriguez Island, Malagasy Republic, (formerly Madagascar; name changed in 1958) Seychelles Islands, Comoro Islands, and Reunion Island. [BW14p96; BW15:195]

    Chagos Archipelago; Comoros Islands; Madagascar; Mauritius; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Port Louis, Mauritius; Reunion Island; Rodrigues Island; Seychelles first NSA Indian Ocean
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Honduras was formed. [BW13:258; National website; Bahaipedia Honduras; BN No364 July 1961 p3]
  • For picture see BW13:265.
  • Conflict; Honduras; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Honduras
    1964 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the Hawaiian Islands was formed with its seat in Honolulu. Prior to this time, they were under the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States. At the time of the formation of the new National Assembly, the territory was transferred to Australasia. [BW14p99; BW14p93] Honolulu, HI; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Hawaiian Islands
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Haiti was formed. Previously it had been part of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Greater Antilles. [BW13:258] Haiti; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Haiti
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Guatemala was formed with Hand of the Cause William Sears in attendance. Prior they had been part of Regional Spiritual Assembly of Mexico and the Republics of Central America. [BW13:258]

    Upon forming the Assembly was made responsible for administrating the Bahá'í community of British Honduras although there were no Bahá'ís in British Honduras at the time. British Honduras remained under its jurisdiction until forming its own National Spiritual Assembly in 1967. [BN No364 July 1961 p2]

    Guatemala; Honduras; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; William Sears first NSA Guatemala
    1967 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands was formed with its seat in Tarawa. [BW14p99] National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Tarawa, Kiribati first NSA Gilbert and Ellice Islands
    1962 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Finland was formed. Since 1957 they had been part of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of Scandinavia (Norway and Sweden) plus Denmark and Finland. [BW13:283]
  • For picture see BW13:277 or BN No373 August 1962 p6. One of the founding members was Maija Pihlainen. She later served as a member of the Auxiliary Boards in Finland and of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Europe from 1995 to 2000. [UK Bahá'í News 23 February 2025]
  • Finland; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Finland
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of El Salvador was formed. [BW13:258]
  • For picture see BW13:263.
  • El Salvador; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA El Salvador
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador was formed. [BW13:258]

    Those elected to the National Spiritual Assembly were: Juan Luis Aguirre; David Beckett; Khaliu'llah Bihjati; Dorothy Campbell; Patricia Conger; Freydoun Monadjem; Raúl Pavón; Guillermo Sotomayor; and Gayle Woolson. [Bahaipedia]

    Picture.

    Ecuador; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Ecuador
    1967 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Eastern and Southern Arabia was formed with its seat in Bahrain. [BW14p99; Ridván 1967]
  • Territory included: (Eastern) Bahrayn Island, Qatar, Trucial Sheikhs, (Southern) Southern Yemen Republic, Yemen, Hadhramaut, Muscat and Oman, Kuria Muria Islands, Al-Masirah, and Socotra Island. [BW14p157]
  • Bahrain; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Eastern and Central Arabia
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Dominican Republic was formed. Since 1957 they had come under the jurisdiction of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Greater Antilles. [BW13:258] Dominican Republic; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Dominican Republic
    1962 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Denmark was formed. Since 1957 they had been part of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of Scandinavia (Norway and Sweden) plus Denmark and Finland [BW13:283]
  • For picture see BW13:276 and OLOM10.
  • The formation of the National Assembly accomplished, in part, by the influx of Iranian pioneers. [SRRB14p247]
  • Denmark; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Denmark
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Cuba was formed. Since 1957 they had come under the jurisdiction of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Greater Antilles. [BW13:258] Cuba; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Cuba
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Costa Rica was formed with Hand of Cause Zikru’lláh Khádem in attendance. [BW13:258]

    Those elected to the National Spiritual Assembly were: Mr. Esteban Canales, chairman; Mr. Richard Mirkovich, vice-chairman; Mr. Humberto Ulloa F., secretary; Mr. Theodore Cortazzi, recording secretary; Mr. Antonio Soto G., treasurer; Mr. José Barquero, Mr. Edgard Gomez, Mr. Aaron Barnes, Mr. John Rutan. [BN No 364 July 1961 p2]

  • For picture see BW13:261.
  • Costa Rica; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Zikrullah Khadem first NSA Costa Rica
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Colombia was formed. [BW13:258] Colombia; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Colombia
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Chile was formed. [BW13:258]
  • For picture see BW13:260.
  • Chile; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Chile
    1962 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Sri Lanka (Ceylon) was formed in Colombo. [BW13:301] Colombo, Sri Lanka; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Sri Lanka first NSA Ceylon
    1969 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Burundi and Rwanda was formed. They had previously been under the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Uganda and Central Africa. [BW15:205]
  • For picture see BW15:142.
  • Burundi; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Rwanda first NSA Burundi and Rwanda
    1966 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Brunei was formed with its seat in Brunei town. [BW14p99; Ridván Message 1965: Ridván 1966] Brunei; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Brunei
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Brazil was formed. [BW13:258] Brazil; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Brazil
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Bolivia was formed. [BW13:258] Bolivia; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Bolivia
    1967 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Belize (British Honduras) was formed with its seat in the city of Belize. Elected were: Cora Oliver (recording xec'u.), Bernice York, Rauhartgiz Yegcmeh. Dr. Hedaiatullah Ahmadiyeh (chairman), George Gable, Katherine Hope (secretary), Wallace Tillet, Shirley Warde (treasurer), and Nut Neal. [BW14:93; Bahá'í News No 436 July 1967 p2]

    Upon forming the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Guatemala in 1961, it was made responsible for administrating the Bahá'í community of British Honduras although there were no Bahá'ís in British Honduras at the time. British Honduras remained under its jurisdiction until forming its own National Spiritual Assembly in 1967. [Bahaipedia Guatemala; BN No 435 June 1967 p6]

    Belize; Bernice York; Cora Oliver; George Gable; Hedaiatullah Ahmadiyeh; Katherine Hope; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Nut Neal; Rauhartgiz Yegcmeh; Shirley Warde; Wallace Tillet first NSA Belize
    1962 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Belgium was formed. Since 1957 it had come under the jurisdiction of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Benelux Countries. [BW13:283]
  • For picture see BW13:275.
  • The founding members were: Fernand Gillain, Elsa de Koninck, Lea Nys, Robert Hubar, Shoghi Ghadimi, Benjamin Levy, Adolphe de Couvreur, Louis Hénuzet, and Hasan-Ali Kamran. [Bahaipedia]
  • Belgium; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Belgium
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Argentina was formed. [BW13:258] Argentina; National Spiritual Assembly, formation first NSA Argentina
    1967 Ridván
    196-
    Formerly a part of the National Assembly of North West Africa, the National Spiritual Assembly of Algeria and Tunisia (Sometimes called "North Africa") was formed with its seat in Algiers. [BW14p96; BW14p473]
  • It had to be disbanded owing to unfavorable local circumstances. [BW15p189Notes]
  • Algeria; Algiers, Algeria; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Tunisia first NSA Algeria and Tunisia
    1968 22 – 23 Jun
    196-
    The first National Youth Conference of the Bahá'ís of the United States opened in Wilmette, Illinois. [BW15:327 8]
  • For picture see BW15:325.
  • - Conferences, National; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; Illinois, USA; United States (USA); Wilmette, IL first National Youth Conference of US
    1968 27 – 28 Jul
    196-
    The first National Youth Conference of Honduras opened in Santa Rosa de Copán. [BW15:328–9] - First conferences; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; Honduras; Santa Rosa de Copan, Honduras; Youth first National Youth Conference of Honduras
    1969 4 – 6 Apr
    196-
    The first National Youth Conference of Australia opened at Bolton Place summer School. [BW15:329]
  • For picture see BW15:328.
  • - Conferences, National; - First conferences; Australia; Bolton Place, Australia; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth first National Youth Conference of Australia
    1969 29 Oct
    196-
    A mechanism of world inter-communication will be devised, embracing the whole planet, freed from national hindrances and restrictions, and functioning with marvellous swiftness and perfect regularity. WOB203

    1844 May 24 Samuel F.B. Morse sent the first telegraphic message over an experimental line from Washington D.C. to Baltimore; the message said: "What hath God wrought?" which is a verse from The Book of Numbers 23:23. Also see The Book of Job 38:35 where it says Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are?

    1858 Aug 16 the first transatlantic telegraph cable was an undersea cable running under the Atlantic Ocean used for telegraph communications was laid across the floor of the Atlantic from Telegraph Field, Foilhommerum Bay, Valentia Island in western Ireland to Heart's Content in eastern Newfoundland. The first communications occurred August 16, 1858, reducing the communication time between North America and Europe from ten days.

    1894 May 10 Marconi sent a radio wave 3/4 mile, the first "wireless" transmission.

    1897 Marconi Co sent the first ship-to-shore message 12 miles. 1899 Mar 3 the ship "East Goodwin" was saved after sending the distress signal "HELP". This system of HF radio for safety at sea communications as replaced globally by geostationary satellites with the launch of the INMARSAT system (International Marine Satellite) on the 1st of February 1982. [International Journal of Maritime History]

    1969 October 29 The birth of the Internet. First message from computer to computer in different locations. UCLA student Charley Kline attempts to transmit the text "login" to a computer at the Stanford Research Institute over the first link on the ARPANET, which was the precursor to the modern Internet. After the letters "l" and "o" are sent the system crashed, making the first message ever sent on the Internet "lo" and the first crash of the system.

    Communication; Firsts, other; History (general); Internet; Inventions; Morse code; Technology; Telegraph first Morse Code message, first radio message, first transatlantic cable message, first Internet message....
    1963 7 May
    196-
    The Universal House of Justice issued its first message to national conventions. [WG4–8]
  • It announced that the body had no officers and that its communications will be signed 'Universal House of Justice' over an embossed seal. [WG6]
  • It paid tribute to the Hands of the Cause. [WG5]
    • See the message from the Universal House of Justice dated 26 November, 2007 for a list of accomplishments of the Hands of the Cause during the period between the passing of the Guardian and the election of the Universal House of Justice.
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Universal House of Justice; Universal House of Justice; Universal House of Justice, Letters and messages first message to national conventions by UHJ
    1960 (In the year)
    196-
    The first Maya-Quiche to become a Bahá'í in Guatemala, Filomena Cajas de Velasquez, a tourist guide, enrolled.
  • Later she was the first Guatemalan woman to serve on the national spiritual assembly.
  • Filomena Cajas de Velasquez; Guatemala first Maya-Quiche Bahá’í; first Guatemalan woman on NSA
    1967 (In the year)
    196-
    The first Mataco Indians to become Bahá'ís enrolled in Argentina. [BW14:150] - First believers by background; Argentina first Mataco Indians Bahá’ís
    1965 Ridván
    196-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Iceland was formed in Reykjavik. Its members were Asgeir Einarsson, Kirsten Bonnevie, Florence Grindlay, Jessie Echevarria, Carl John Spencer, Charles Grindlay, Liesel Becker, Barbel Thinat and Nicholas Echevarria. [Bahá'í News No 417 10 December 1965 p10]
  • See Bahá'í Historical Facts for a photo.
  • Iceland; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Reykjavik, Iceland first LSA Iceland
    1961 8 Jul
    196-
    Georges and Emma Wayenece, originally from Mare on the Loyalty Islands and the first Loyalty Islanders to become Bahá'ís, enrolled in Nouméa. [BW17:415]
  • Mrs Wayenece was the first Melanesian woman of the New Caledonia and Loyalty Islands area to become a Bahá'í. [BW17:415]
  • Emma Wayenece; Georges Wayenece; Loyalty Islands; Noumea, New Caledonia first Loyalty Islanders Bahá’í; first Melanesian woman Bahá’í of the New Caledonia and Loyalty Islands
    1960 (In the year)
    196-
    The first local spiritual assembly in the Cocos Islands was formed on West Island.
  • For picture see BW13:1052.
  • Local Spiritual Assemblies; West Island, Australia first Local Spiritual Assembly on Cocos Islands
    1962 Ridván
    196-
    The first local spiritual assembly of the Loyalty Islands was formed in Nouméa. Local Spiritual Assemblies; Loyalty Islands; Noumea, New Caledonia first Local Spiritual Assembly Loyalty Islands
    1969 Ridván
    196-
    The first local spiritual assembly of Upper Volta was formed in Ouagadougou. Local Spiritual Assemblies; Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Upper Volta, Burkina Faso first Local Spiritual Assembly in Upper Volta
    1966 Ridván
    196-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Suriname was formed in Paramaribo. Local Spiritual Assemblies; Paramaribo, Suriname; Suriname first Local Spiritual Assembly in Suriname
    1966 Ridván
    196-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Senegal was formed in Dakar. Dakar, Senegal; Local Spiritual Assemblies; Senegal first Local Spiritual Assembly in Senegal
    1966 7 Nov
    196-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Niger was formed in Niamey. Local Spiritual Assemblies; Niamey, Niger first Local Spiritual Assembly in Niger
    1967 Ridván
    196-
    The formation of the first Spiritual Assembly in Kinshasa, DRC. [A Remarkable Response Film 31:20] Congo, Democratic Republic of; Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; Local Spiritual Assembly, formation first Local Spiritual Assembly in Kinshasa
    1968 Ridván
    196-
    The first local spiritual assembly in French Guiana was formed at Cayenne. Cayenne, French Guiana; French Guiana; Local Spiritual Assemblies first Local Spiritual Assembly in French Guiana
    1968 Ridván
    196-
    The first local spiritual assemblies of Equatorial Guinea were formed in Bata and Santa Isabel. Bata, Equatorial Guinea; Equatorial Guinea; Equatorial Guinea; Local Spiritual Assemblies; Santa Isabel, Equatorial Guinea first Local Spiritual Assembly in Equatorial Guinea
    1968 Ridván
    196-
    The first local spiritual assembly of the Cayman Islands was formed in George Town. Cayman Islands; George Town, Cayman Islands; Local Spiritual Assemblies first Local Spiritual Assembly in Cayman Islands
    1960 Late
    196-
    Eric Moyce and Gay Corker, both youth and the first two local people to become Bahá'ís in St Helena, enrolled. Eric Moyce; Gay Corker; St. Helena first local Bahá’ís in St Helena
    1966 10 Jun
    196-
    The Universal House of Justice addressed its first letter to 'Bahá'í Youth in Every Land'. [BW15:324; WG92–7] Haifa, Israel; Universal House of Justice first letter to Bahá’í Youth from UHJ
    1966 19 May
    196-
    The first legally recognized Bahá'í wedding in Europe took place in Finland. [BW14:154] - Europe; Finland; Firsts, other; Recognition (legal); Weddings first legally recognized Bahá’í wedding in Europe
    1961 1 May
    196-
    Kanichi (Moto) Yamamoto, the first Japanese Bahá'í, passed away in Berkeley, California. [SBR185]
  • For the story of his life see SBR176–86.
  • For picture see SBR190.
  • - Biography; Berkeley, CA; California, USA; Kanichi Yamamoto; United States (USA) first Japanese Bahá’í
    1963 21 – 23 Apr
    196-
    The First International Convention was convened in Haifa. [MoC424]
  • For programme see MoC424–5.
  • For details of the Convention and pictures see BW14:425–30.
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; Conventions, International; First conventions; Haifa, Israel first International Convention
    1962 31 Dec
    196-
    The first indigenous local spiritual assembly in Venezuela was formed among the Yaruro Indians of Apure state in the village of Agua Linda. - Indigenous people; Agua Linda, Venezuela; Local Spiritual Assemblies; Venezuela first indigenous Local Spiritual Assembly in Venezuela
    1968 Jul
    196-
    Louis Joseph, the first Bahá'í indigenous to Dominica, enrolled in Roseau. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Dominica; Roseau, Dominica first indigenous Bahá’í to Dominica
    1965 15 Jul
    196-
    Hendrik Olsen, the first indigenous Greenlander to become a Bahá'í, enrolled. [Bahaipedia; CBN Np 196 May 1966 p]
      He passed. on 20 June 1967. His Memoriam [BW14p369]
    He translated the first literature to Greenlandic and in July 1965 he invited Johanne Sorensen Hoeg to travel to Greenland. She visited several locations where she gave public speeches for approximately 50 to 100 people. Hendrik declared his faith as the first Bahá’í in Greenland. [Bahá'í Chronicles Johanne Sorensen Hoeg]
    - Biography; - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Greenland; Hendrik Olsen first indigenous Bahá’í in Greenland
    1961 21 – 25 Feb
    196-
    The first Indian congress of Bolivia was held in Oruro, with Indians participating. [BW13:268] - Conferences; - Indigenous people; Bolivia; Oruro, Bolivia first Indian congress of Bolivia
    1961 23 Jun
    196-
    Fred Murray, early Indigenous believer and member of the Minen tribe (Mirning Yirkala) to become a Bahá'í, enrolled. In 1963 he attended the World Congress in London. [BW14:369]
  • See the article A Tribute to Fred Murray by June Perkins.
  • - Indigenous people; Aboriginal people; Australia; Fred Murray; June Perkins first full-blooded Bahá'í Aborigine member of Minen tribe
    1965 (In the year)
    196-
    Emma Reinert, the first Faroese to become a Bahá'í, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Faroe Islands, Denmark first Faroese Bahá’í
    1969 3 – 6 Apr
    196-
    The first European Youth Conference opened in Madrid, Spain. [BW15:329] - Conferences, International; - Europe; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; Madrid, Spain; Spain first European Youth Conference
    1961 Ridván
    196-
    The International Bahá'í Council was elected by postal ballot of the members of the national spiritual assemblies. It was to serve a two-year term of office. [BW13:397; MoC282]
  • The members were Jessie Revell (Treasurer), 'Alí Nakhjavání (President), Lutfu'lláh Hakím, Ethel Revell, Charles Wolcott (Secretary General), Sylvia Ioas (Vice-President), Mildred Mottahedeh, Ian Semple (Assistant Secretary), and Borah Kavelin (Member-at-Large. He continued serving on the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States). [MoC282, 291]
  • See BW13:398 for picture.
  • See also BBD118; BBRSM131; BW16:90; CB324; MoC168, 242. iiiii
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; Alí Nakhjavání; Charles Wolcott; Ethel Revell; Firsts, other; H. Borrah Kavelin; Haifa, Israel; Ian Semple; International Bahá'í Council; Jessie Revell; Lutfullah Hakim; Mildred Mottahedeh; Sylvia Ioas; Universal House of Justice first election IBC by postal ballot
    1960 (In the year)
    196-
    The first Côte d'Ivorian to become a Bahá'í, Mr Un Bodo, a Bété from the region of Gagnoa working as a policeman in Abidjan, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Ivory Coast first Côte d’Ivorian a Bahá’í
    1966 (In the year)
    196-
    Jesus Bias Manibusan of Sinajana, Guam, the first Chamorro to become a Bahá'í, enrolled. Guam; Jesus Bias Manibusan; Sinajana, Guam first Chamorro Bahá’í
    1968 (In the year)
    196-
    Ernest Ndouba (G Beadoumadji Moadoumgar) of the Sara ethnic group and the first Chadian to become a Bahá'í, enrolled in Ndjamena. Chad; Ernest Ndouba; Ndjamena, Chad first Chadian Bahá’í
    1965 Feb
    196-
    Jean and Ivanie Désert and their three children arrived in Guadeloupe from Haiti, the first Bahá'ís to settle on the island. [Guadeloupe by Daniel Caillaud] - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Guadeloupe first Bahá’ís to settle on Guadeloupe
    1965 1 Aug
    196-
    Mrs Ridván Sadeghzadeh and Mrs Parvine Djoneidi and their children arrived in Niamey, Niger, from Tihrán, the first Bahá'ís to settle in the country. - Travel teachers and pioneers, First; Niamey, Niger; Niger first Bahá’ís to settle in Niger
    1965 19 Sep
    196-
    Walter Garland and Miss Annie Lourie Williams, the first to become Bahá'ís on Grand Turk Island, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Central America; Grand Turk Island first Bahá’ís on Grand Turk Island
    1966 Feb
    196-
    The first members of the Yao tribe become Bahá'ís in Laos enrolled. [BW14:150] - First believers by background; Laos first Bahá’ís of Yao tribe
    1969 Aug
    196-
    The first 12 new Bahá'ís enrolled on Union Island in the Grenadines during a visit of Patricia Paccassi and her daughter Judith. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Union Island first Bahá’ís in the Grenadines
    1965 Aug
    196-
    Thaddeus Smith, Clara Smith, Nando Valle, Evert Scott, Gloria Scott, Thomas Seymour and Lawrence Jebbers, the first to become Bahá'ís in the Cayman Islands, enrolled in George Town owing to the efforts of Ivan A. Graham, a Jamaican Bahá'í. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; - Islands; Cayman Islands; George Town, Cayman Islands first Bahá’ís in Cayman Islands
    1960 1 Jul
    196-
    Ben and Louise Whitecow (early Peigan believers) married in Calgary, Alberta, were the first Bahá'ís in Canada to have a legally recognized Bahá'í marriage. [BW13:687] Alberta, Canada; Calgary, AB; Canada; Firsts, other; Marriage; Recognition (legal); Weddings first Bahá’ís in Canada to have legally recognized Bahá’í marriage
    1968 Jul
    196-
    Christian and Elanzo Callwood, Norris Duport and Ethien Chinnery, the first people to become Bahá'ís on the island of Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; - Islands; British Virgin Islands; Jost Van Dyke first Bahá’ís in British Virgin Islands
    1965 Apr
    196-
    Franklin Bozor, an agricultural labourer, and Pierre Defoe were the first persons to become Bahá'ís in Guadeloupe. [Guadeloupe by Daniel Caillaud] - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Guadeloupe first Bahá’ís Guadeloupe
    1963 1 Nov
    196-
    The first person on Saipan to become a Bahá'í, Patience Robinson, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Mariana Islands; Saipan, Mariana Islands first Bahá’í, on Saipan
    1969 24 – 25 May
    196-
    The first Bahá'í Youth Conference of Japan opened on Jogashima Island. [BW15:329] - Conferences, National; - First conferences; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Youth; Japan; Jogashima Island, Japan first Bahá’í Youth Conference of Japan
    1963 28 Apr - 2 May
    196-
    The first Bahá'í World Congress, the 'Most Great Jubilee', was held in London to celebrate the centenary of the declaration of Bahá'u'lláh. The beloved Guardian had wanted this long-planned gathering to take place in Baghdad, but the situation did not allow the gathering to take place there. In 1961, the Hands of the Cause of God residing at the Holy Land decided to hold the Congress in London, which would also enable the participants to visit the resting place of the Guardian. [BW14:57]
  • For a detailed account and many pictures see BW14:57–80.
  • For the programme of speakers see BW14:60–1.
  • Some 6,000 Bahá'ís attend.
  • The closing talk at the Bahá'í world congress by Hand of the cause Abu'l-Qasim Faizi.
  • - Basic timeline, Expanded; - First conferences; Bahá'í World Congress, First (1963); Bahá'u'lláh, Declaration of; Centenaries; Conferences, Bahá'í; London, England; Most Great Jubilee (1963); United Kingdom first Bahá’í World Congress
    1960 s, early
    196-
    The first woman Somali to become a Bahá'í, Fatumeh Jama, enrolled. Fatumeh Jama; Somalia first Bahá’í woman Somalia
    1961 22 Oct
    196-
    Mr. Sivalingam and Miss Puvaneswary were married in the first Bahá'í wedding in Malaysia. First weddings; Malaysia; Weddings First Bahá’í wedding in Malaysia
    1967 – 1968
    196-
    Rhoda Vaughn arrived on Bonaire and remained for nine months, the first Bahá'í to visit the island. - Travel teachers and pioneers, First; Bonaire first Bahá’í to visit Bonaire
    1966 (Late in the year)
    196-
    Lorraine Landau arrived on Saba in the West Leeward Islands, the first Bahá'í to settle on the island. Lorraine Landau; Saba, Leeward Islands first Bahá’í to settle on West Leeward Islands
    1966 (In the year)
    196-
    Mm. Marion Magnée arrived in Mali from Belgium, the first Bahá'í to settle in the country. Mali; Marion Magnee first Bahá’í to settle in Mali
    1968 Dec
    196-
    George Howard arrived on Union Island, the first person to take the Bahá'í Faith to the Grenadine Islands. George Howard; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines first Bahá’í teacher to Grenadine Islands
    1967 Mar
    196-
    The first Bahá'í summer school in Liberia began. [BW14:174] First summer and winter schools; Liberia; Summer schools first Bahá’í summer school in Liberia
    1964 22 Mar
    196-
    The Faith was brought to St Vincent for the first time by Shirley Jackson, who returned to the island the day after having become a Bahá'í while on a visit to her native home in Grenada.
  • Later in the year she enrolled the first Bahá'ís on St Vincent.
  • - First Bahá'ís by country or area; St. Vincent, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines first Bahá’í on St Vincent
    1965 Oct
    196-
    Alice Grey, the first person to become a Bahá'í on South Caicos Island, enrolled. Alice Grey; South Caicos Island first Bahá’í on South Caicos Island
    1966 (In the year)
    196-
    Florence Parry, the first to become a Bahá'í in the West Leeward Islands, enrolled. Florence Parry; Leeward Islands first Bahá’í in West Leeward Islands
    1961 (In the year)
    196-
    Knud Jensen (of mixed Danish, St Thomanian parentage), the first local person to become a Bahá'í in the Virgin Islands, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; United States (USA); Virgin Islands, US first Bahá’í in Virgin Islands
    1968 Nov
    196-
    Mohammed Brimer (Mohammed Braimah Belem), the first person to become a Bahá'í in Upper Volta, enrolled. Mohammed Brimer; Upper Volta, Burkina Faso first Bahá’í in Upper Volta
    1966 (In the year)
    196-
    Tommy Kabu, a prominent person from the village of Ara'ava in the Gulf Province and the first in the Territory of Papua to become a Bahá'í, enrolled. [BW15:459–60] - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Papua New Guinea first Bahá’í in Territory of Papua
    1965 12 Nov
    196-
    Mr Jazy Souleymane, a teacher and the first person in Niger to become a Bahá'í, enrolled. Jazy Souleymane; Niger first Bahá’í in Niger
    1967 – 1968
    196-
    Cleophas Koko Vava, a Togolese employed at the American Cultural Centre as a librarian to the United States Information Service and the first person to become a Bahá'í in Chad, enrolled. - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Chad first Bahá’í in Chad
    1960 Dec
    196-
    Philip Suning, the first member of the Iban tribe to become a Bahá'í, enrolled. - First believers by background; Brunei first Bahá’í Iban tribe
    1966 22 Mar
    196-
    Napoleon Bergarnaschi, an Alaskan Eskimo, and his three children open St Lawrence Island to the Bahá'í Faith. [BW14:146] Napoleon Bergarnaschi; St. Lawrence Island first Bahá'í to settle on St Lawrence Island
    1960 Jan
    196-
    Frédéric Hodonou (b. January 9, 1929, Ouidah, Benin. d. January 10, 2016 in Ouidah, Benin) was introduced to the Faith by Madame Geneviève Lai, a French artist and her Vietnamese husband in Cotonou. [Bahá'í Chronicles] Benin; Cotonou, Benin; Frederic Hodonou first Baha'i of Benin
    1963 18 Jan
    196-
    First Bahá'í marriage in Taiwan was between Miss Yeh Chan-ching and Mr Yang Su-thou. Official government recognition of the Bahá'í marriage was obtained in 1973. [The Taiwan Bahá'í Chronicle by Barbara R. Sims p37] Firsts, other; Recognition (legal); Taiwan; Weddings First Bahá'í marriage in Taiwan
    1966 29 Sep
    196-
    The Bahá'í Faith was officially recognized as a religious organization by the Icelandic government which gave it the right to legally perform marriages and other ceremonies as well as entitled it to a share of the church tax in proportion to its number of adult members. [Wikipedia]
  • The first marriage ceremony was performed in Árbæjarkirkja in a church belonging to the Lutheran Church of Iceland. The choice of the location for the marriage caused some controversy among church leaders. [Wikipedia]
  • Iceland; Recognition (legal); Weddings first Baha'i marriage in Iceland
    1962 22 May
    196-
    The first Athabascan Indian north of the Arctic Circle to become a Bahá'í, Charley Roberts, enrolled. [BW15:455] - First Bahá'ís by country or area; - Native Americans; Canada first Athabascan Indian Bahá’í north of the Arctic Circle
    1966 31 Mar
    196-
    While in the custody of the Portuguese authorities Eduardo Duarte Vieira died in prison in Portuguese Guinea (Since 1974 Guinea Bissau) after twenty days of torture. He was named the first African martyr. [BW14:390, BW16:568; KoB47]
  • For his obituary see BW14:389–90.
  • For the messages to his wife and children he scratched on a biscuit box. See BW14:390–1.
  • See also [A Brief Account of the Progress of the Bahá'í Faith in Africa Since 1953 by Nancy Oloro-Robarts and Selam Ahderom p5-6]
  • - Biography; - Persecution; - Persecution, Deaths; Eduardo Duarte Vieira; Firsts, other; Guinea Bissau; Persecution, Guinea Bissau; Portuguese Guinea first African martyr
    1969 Jul
    196-
    With regard to the classification of Bahá'í books, in most libraries the listing is according to the Dewey Decimal Classification system employed by the National Library of Congress. While the classification is not yet satisfactory from the Bahá'í standpoint, considerable improvement has been made since the early days of the Faith. The National Spiritual Assembly advised its community that it will continue to follow up with the National Library of Congress for further improvement.

    The proper call number of Bahá'í literature is 297.89. The number 297 is given to Islam, and religions under that parentage are listed in that same general sequence. While the Bahá'í Faith is not a branch of Islam, our roots are in that faith, as the roots of Christianity were within Judaism. Most Bahá'í books published in North America under Bahá'í auspices will have the proper call number along with the copyright information inside the front cover.

    It was recognized that the changing classifications of library listings is a very serious matter and once any change is made it must remain in effect a very long time in order to avoid the tremendous confusion that frequent changes and revisions would create in the library system involving thousands of local public libraries throughout the country. For this reason they asked that the community not make an issue of this, but can be helpful by calling the attention of local librarians to the proper classification of Baha'i books with the above given number. [Bahá'í National Review Issue 19 July 1969 p4-5]

    Dewey Decimal Classification; Libraries; United States (USA)
    1965 (In the year)
    196-
    William Carr visited Alert in Canada, only 800 km from the North Pole and the most northerly inhabited location in the world. Alert, NU; Arctic; Canada; William Carr
    1967 (In the year)
    196-
    Victor de Araujo was appointed by the Universal House of Justice as the full-time Accredited Representative of the Bahá'í International Community to the United Nations; Mildred Mottahedeh was appointed Alternate Representative. [BW14:88–9; BW15:364]
  • For picture see BW15:365.
  • Bahá'í International Community; Mildred Mottahedeh; New York, USA; United Nations; United States (USA); Victor de Araujo
    1968 (Late in the year)
    196-
    Two Chilean Bahá'ís, Aníbal Soto, a telegraph operator in the Chilean Navy and his wife, Norma Soto, were posted to a Chilean base in Antarctica. - Pioneers; Antarctica
    1960 s, early
    196-
    Two Bahá'í primary schools were opened in Uganda. - Bahá'í inspired schools; Uganda
    1960 30 Apr – 10 May
    196-
    Twenty–four national spiritual assemblies and five national conventions sent messages of support to the Custodians, repudiating the claim made by Charles Mason Remey to be the second Guardian. [MC199–202]
  • The National Spiritual Assembly of France voted to recognize Remey's claim. [MC203]
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; Charles Mason Remey; Covenant-breaking; Custodians; France; Guardianship; Haifa, Israel; National Spiritual Assemblies
    1968
    196-
    Twenty years prior, on December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. To mark this event the UN General Assembly unanimously designated the whole of this year, 1968, as International Human Rights Year.

    The Bahá'í Communities of North America, on the occasion of the world-wide commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of the call to the world's leaders to establish universal peace through justice and unity by Bahá'u'lláh, observed 1968 as the International Year for Human Rights. At the Bahá'í Intercontinental Conference in Chicago the Bahá'ís affirmed that in accordance with the Teachings of Bahá'u'lláh, human rights are God given rights.

  • See National Bahá'í Review Issue 4 April 1968 for the events associated with the commemoration.
  • A pamphlet titled A Bahá'í Declaration of Human Obligations and Rights was published by the Bahá'í Publishing Trust in Wilmette.
  • Human rights
    1968 – 1969
    196-
    Throughout Iran, pressure on Bahá'ís intensified. [BW18p391]
  • Applications for government employment were refused. [BW18:391]
  • Bahá'ís were refused admission to colleges and universities. [BW18:391]
  • Bahá'í centres were closed. [BW18:391]<
  • Individual Bahá'ís were attacked. [BW18:391]
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution; - Persecution, Education; - Persecution, Other; Iran
    1963 5 Jun onwards
    196-
    Throughout Iran, advantage is taken of the general anti-government disorder to launch attacks on Bahá'ís in several localities under the cover of these disturbances. [BW18p391]
  • The Bahá'í cemetery in Tihrán was attacked, its buildings burnt and graves desecrated. [BW18:391]
  • Bahá'í houses were attacked and burned at Árán and the local Bahá'í centre was attacked. [BW18:391]
  • The Bahá'í centre at Isfahán was attacked. [BW18:391]
  • Several Bahá'í homes and businesses were attacked in Shíráz. BW18:391]
  • An attack on the House of the Báb in Shíráz was attempted. BW18:391]
  • Bahá'ís were dismissed from government employment. [BW18:391]
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution; - Persecution, Destruction; - Persecution, Other; Iran
    1962 (In the year)
    196-
    Thirty thousand new Bahá'ís enrolled in India in six months. [VV9] India; Mass conversion
    1969 12 Nov
    196-
    The world premiere of the film A New Wind, written and directed by George C Stoney and distributed by the Public Information Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States. The National Spiritual Assembly approved an initial showing of the film in forty cities and ten colleges across the United States. A second premiere showing of the film was on World Religion Day, January 18th, 1970, in forty different cities and ten different colleges.
    The film shows scenes from the Holy Land, as well as Bahá'í communities in India, Japan and in the United States, depicting Bahá'ís in their gatherings and firesides, in their daily lives and personal activities. It demonstrates the unity in diversity so characteristic of the Faith and portrays, in twenty- eight minutes of screen time, the spirit and scope of a fast-growing worldwide religious community. [National Bahá'í Review Issue 21 September 1969 p10; National Bahá'í Review Issue 23 November 1961 p13; National Bahá'í Review Issue 47 November 1972 p2]
  • See National Bahá'í Review Issue 22 October 1969 p14 for a resumé of the work of George Stoney.
  • YouTube.
  • - Film; A New Wind (film); George Stoney; United States (USA)
    1968 9 Oct
    196-
    The widowed mother of seven children was sentenced to six months' imprisonment in Morocco for refusing to deny her faith. [BW15:172]
  • Despite the efforts of national spiritual assemblies to secure justice for her through their embassies and cables to the King of Morocco, she was made to serve the entire sentence. [BW15:172]
  • - Persecution; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution, Court cases; Court cases; Human rights; Morocco; Persecution, Morocco
    1960 30 Apr
    196-
    The unveiling of Statue of a Liberated Woman by sculptor Fuad Abdurahmanov (b. 28 April, 1915 in Shaki, d. 15 June, 1971 Baku) The statue stands in central Baku and depicts a woman casting off her veil. It is said to have been influenced by the story of Tahirih. [BWNS1150]
  • For a photo of the statue from another angle see Part III of my Will and Testament by Vahid Houston Ranjbar.
  • Azerbaijan; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Bandar Anzali, Iran; Fuad Abdurahmanov; Statue of a Liberated Woman; Ṭáhirih Qurratu'l-'Ayn; Veils
    1965 Ridván
    196-
    The Universal Houser of Justice announced the establishment of the International Deputization Fund at the World Centre under the administration of the Universal House of Justice. From it supplementary support will be given to specific pioneering projects when other funds are not available. All friends, and particularly those who are unable to respond to the pioneer call are invited to support this Fund, mindful of the injunction of Bahá'u'lláh,:
      "Centre your energies in the propagation of the Faith of God. Whoso is worthy of so high a calling, let him arise and promote it. Whoso is unable, it is his duty to appoint him who will, in his stead, proclaim this Revelation, Whose power hath caused the foundations of the mightiest structures to quake, every mountain to be crushed into dust, and every soul to be dumbfounded." [The Universal House of Justice, Ridvan 1965]).

    In a message to all National Assemblies the Universal House of Justice asked them to take an active role in facilitating the selection and appointment of suitable pioneers and traveling teachers by providing a link between those wishing to deputize, and those qualified and ready to be deputized. Prior to the directive requests were handled by the Continental Pioneer Committee. [20 April 1990]

    In 1998-99 the deputization was expanded to include the support of those serving as teachers in a Training Institute. [1 June 1998; 24 August 1999]

    Deputization; Funds, International; Training Institutes
    1964 Apr
    196-
    The Universal House of Justice, in its message of 24 April, 1964 called for the acquisition of thirty-two Teaching Institutes during the Nine Year Plan (1964-1973) in areas where there was large-scale teaching. - Bahá'í World Centre; Nine Year Plan (1964-1973); Teaching institutes
    1968 Ridván
    196-
    The Universal House of Justice was elected for a second time by delegates from 81 National Spiritual Assemblies. [BW15:557]
  • Dr David Ruhe was elected to replace Dr Hakím, who resigned for reasons of ill health. The members were: Amoz Gibson, 'Ali Nakhjavani, Hushmand Fatheazam, Ian Semple, Charles Wolcott, David Hofman, H. Borrah Kavelin, Hugh Chance and David Ruhe. [VV3]
  • For a description of the second international convention and pictures see BW14:564–8.
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; Alí Nakhjavání; Amoz Gibson; Charles Wolcott; Conventions, International; David Hofman; David Ruhe; Elections; H. Borrah Kavelin; Haifa, Israel; Hugh Chance; Hushmand Fatheazam; Ian Semple; Universal House of Justice, Election of; Universal House of Justice, Members of
    1964 Ridván
    196-
    The Universal House of Justice released statistics on the growth and spread of the Bahá'í Faith at Ridván. [BW14:124–35]
  • Localities: 15,186
  • Local Assemblies: 4,566
  • National Assemblies: 69
  • - Worldwide; Growth; Localities where Bahá'ís reside; Statistics; Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963)
    1967 (In the year)
    196-
    The Universal House of Justice published a compilation of Bahá'u'lláh's messages titled The Proclamation of Bahá'u'lláh to the Kings and Leaders of the World to mark the 100th anniversary of the inception of that proclamation. Bahá'í institutions worldwide were asked to present the book to the leaders of government in their respective countries. Some 140 Heads of State received a copy. [MUHJ63-86p113] * Bahá'u'lláh, Writings of; * Publications; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Proclamation of Bahá'u'lláh (book); - Tablets to kings and rulers
    1967 (In the year)
    196-
    The Universal House of Justice provided the following guidance on the use of "Bahá'í Faith" and "Bahá'í World Faith." The following excerpt is from a letter from the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Great Britain published in their Bahá'í Journal No. 178, February - March 1967.
      ". . . we realize there are occasions on which the use of the term 'Bahá'í World Faith' may be justified and useful. However, it is our hope that the friends will gradually lose the habit of using this term as widely as they do now. The designation 'The Bahá'í Faith' is more dignified and is preferable. Any adjective added to this name tends to a diminution of its stature and might be taken to mean there are other 'Bahá'í Faiths'. . . ."
    [National Bahá'í Review No 1 January 1968 p2; Lights of Guidance, no. 374.]
    - Bahá'í World Centre; Bahá'í Faith (term); Bahá'í World Faith (term)
    1968 24 Jun
    196-
    The Universal House of Justice made the first appointments to the Continental Board of Counsellors. [Mess63-86 No 60] Counsellors
    1967 Dec
    196-
    The Universal House of Justice in a letter addressed to all National Assemblies expressed the need for letters written by the Guardian to them or to their subsidiary institutions as well as to the friends under their jurisdiction. The Universal House of Justice asked for copies of the letters, offered to assist in making the copies and gave the option of sending the letter or copies directly to the World Centre if the subject matter was personal. [CBN No 297 Aug/Sep 1975 p14]
  • See as well the message of the Universal House of Justice dated 14 May 1975.
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; Archives; Shoghi Effendi, Works of; Shoghi Effendi, Writings of
    1967 21 Feb
    196-
    The Universal House of Justice established the International Bahá'í Audio-Visual Centre in Victor, New York. William Richter was named the manager. [BW14:91–2]
  • The first assignment of the International Bahá'í Audio-Visual Centre was to arrange for audio-visual coverage of the six Intercontinental conferences that were held the following October.
  • A counterpart of the International Bahá'í Audio-Visual Centre was established at the World Centre throught the creation of an Audio-Visual Department responsible directly to the Universal House of Justice. The first secretary was Juan Cabán.
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; Audio-Visual Centres; Juan Caban; New York, USA; United States (USA); Universal House of Justice; Victor, NY; William Richter
    1968 21 Jun
    196-
    The Universal House of Justice established the Continental Boards of Counsellors to continue the functions of the Hands of the Cause in the protection and propagation of the Faith. [BBD58–9, 97; BW15:611–13; BW17:319; MUHJ4–5; WG141, Mess63-86p130, 21 June, 1968, CEBF112]
  • For details of the eleven Boards and their membership see BW15:612 and WG140–4.
    • Among the eleven people named to the Boards in Africa were three native believers: Oloro Epyeru and Kolonario Oule in Uganda, and Seewoosumbur-Jeehiba Appa in Mauritius.
  • For pictures of the Counsellors see BW15:614, 615, 618, 619, 622, 623, 625, 627.
  • For a history of the development of the institutions of the International Teaching Centre and the Continental boards of Counsellors see BW20p673-693.
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; - Basic timeline, Expanded; - Hands of the Cause; Appointed arm; Assistants; Auxiliary board members; Counsellors; Haifa, Israel; Universal House of Justice; Universal House of Justice, Basic timeline
    1967 Ridván
    196-
    The Universal House of Justice called upon the Bahá'ís to launch a global campaign proclaiming the message of Bahá'u'lláh to every stratum of society. A special edition of The Proclamation of Bahá'u'lláh was to be presented to Heads of State. [BW14:211, Ridván 1967] - Bahá'í World Centre; - Proclamation of Bahá'u'lláh (book); Haifa, Israel; Universal House of Justice
    1963 6 Oct
    196-
    The Universal House of Justice cabled that it found that 'there is no way to appoint or to legislate to make it possible to appoint a second Guardian to succeed Shoghi Effendi'. [WG11; 6 October 1963]
  • See an interview with Mr Ian Semple in which he provides background to the decision and the process by which it was made.
  • Subsequent messages on this subject were dated: 9 March 1965, 27 May 1966, 7 December 1969, 25 October 1984, and 6 January 1998. iiiii
  • Also see: Wellspring of Guidance, p44–56, 81–91, Messages of the Universal House of Justice: 1968–1973, p37–44, Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l‑Bahá p20
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; Guardianship; Haifa, Israel
    1963 25 Aug
    196-
    The Universal House of Justice announceed the demolition of the House of Worship in 'Ishqábád (now Ashgabat, Turkmenistan) by the Soviet authorities owing to earthquake damage. [BBD122; BW14:479–81]
  • For a picture of the damaged Temple see BW14:481.
  • - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Earthquakes; Ishqabad (Ashgabat); Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Ishqabad; Russia; Soviet Union; Turkmenistan
    1965 11 Nov
    196-
    The Universal House of Justice announced that the 'final step' in the 'process' of the 'purification' of the Bahá'í properties in Bahjí had been taken with the removal of the remains of the Covenant-breaker Mírzá Díyá'u'lláh from the immediate precincts of the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh. [BW14:82–3; Mess63-86p66]
  • Díyá'u'lláh (15 August 1864 - 30 October 1898) was the second son of Bahá'u'lláh's second wife Fatimih (also known as Mahd-i-'Ulya). He was born in Edirne and died on 30 October 1898 in Haifa. See The Child of the Covenant p150-151 for a description of the vacillating behaviour of Díyá'u'lláh.
  • - Biography; Akka, Israel; Bahá'u'lláh, Shrine of (Bahjí); Bahji, Israel; Covenant-breaking; Mírzá Ḍíyá’u’lláh
    1963 16 Jun
    196-
    The Universal House of Justice announced that it will for the present time, use the Western Pilgrim House at 10 Haparsim Street, Haifa, as its seat and that both the Eastern and Western pilgrims will be housed in the Haifa Pilgrim House. [WG9] Haifa, Israel; Pilgrim House, Eastern (Haifa); Pilgrim House, Western (Haifa); Pilgrim Houses; Pilgrimage; Universal House of Justice, Seat of (Haifa)
    1964 Nov
    196-
    The Universal House of Justice announced that 'there is no way to appoint, or to legislate to make it possible to appoint, Hands of the Cause of God'. [WG41]
  • For decisions of the Universal House of Justice regarding the development of the institution of the Hands of the Cause of God see WG40–3.
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; - Hands of the Cause; - Hands of the Cause, Institution; Appointed arm; Haifa, Israel; Universal House of Justice; Universal House of Justice, Basic timeline
    1969 10 Jul
    196-
    The Universal House of Justice announced an increase in the total number of members of the Continental Boards of Counsellors for the Protection and Propagation of the Faith to thirty-eight. [MUHJ63-86] - Bahá'í World Centre; Counsellors; Statistics
    1968 9 Oct
    196-
    The Universal House of Justice addressed its second letter to Bahá'í Youth. [BW15:324; WG152–4; 9 October 1968] - Bahá'í World Centre; Universal House of Justice; Youth
    1961 15 Jul
    196-
    The Turkish court declared the Bahá'í Faith to be a 'Tarighat', a sect forbidden by the law of the land.<
  • The Bahá'ís were 'forgiven', released and the case against them dropped. [MoC308]
  • The National Spiritual Assembly decided to appeal the decision to a higher court and national spiritual assemblies were asked to make representations to the Turkish ambassadors in their respective countries. [MoC308]
  • - Persecution; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution, Court cases; Court cases; Human rights; NSA; Persecution, Turkey; Turkey
    1962 10 Dec
    196-
    The trial of the 14 Bahá'ís imprisoned in Morocco on charges of sedition opened. The accused were defended by four of the most able lawyers in Morocco who were advised by two Bahá’í lawyers. It quickly became apparent that no attempt was being made to prove the five charges of the indictment, rather were the accused being charged by the presiding judge with not conforming to the practices of Islám, to which the accused explained that, as they were Bahá’ís, these practices did not concern them.
    The verdict of the trial and the sentences imposed were:
    Sentenced to death:
    Muḥammad Muḥammad ‘Alí Al-Kabdání, 23 years of age, unmarried, schoolteacher; Muḥammad Ba-Arafa Ma’anan, 29, unmarried, inspector of police; Fu’ád Muḥammad Javád At-Tahhan, 38, married, three children, school director.
    Imprisoned for life:
    ‘Abdu’l-Azíz ‘Abdu’lláh Al-Waryashí, 22, married, no children, school bursar; Muḥammad Al-Jabbání Al-Ḥassan, 24, married, one son, teacher; ‘Abdu’s-Salam Al-Haj Salim As-Sabti, 31, married, instructor; Muḥammad Muḥammad Sa’íd Al-Baggalí, 20, unmarried, tailor; Muḥammad Aḥmad As-Sabti, 32, married, one child, cashier;
    Imprisoned for 15 years:
    ‘Abdu’s-Salam Milwad Ash-Shukrí, 28, married, one child, state official.

    The announcement of these sentences came as a thunderclap. The response from the press of the world was immediate and indignant. By a curious irony of fate the new Moroccan Constitution guaranteeing freedom of religion had only recently been overwhelmingly accepted by a national referendum, and on December 7, three days before the trial opened, Morocco had voted in favor of a United Nations Resolution for a draft convention on the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance. [BW13:289; BW14:97; MoC414-418; BN No 384 March 1963 p3]

    - Persecution; - Persecution, Court cases; Court cases; Human rights; Morocco; Persecution, Morocco
    1963 20 Apr
    196-
    The Ten Year Crusade was successfully completed. The achievements of the Ten Year Crusade were celebrated at the Most Great Jubilee in April and May 1963, which commemorated the Centenary of the Declaration of Baha'u'llah's Mission. Two historic events transpired during that time: the International Convention, convened in Haifa, Israel, to elect the first Universal House of Justice; and the World Congress held in London, England.
  • For a summary of achievements during the Crusade see BW13:459–60.
  • For countries, islands and dependencies opened to the Faith during the Crusade see BW13:461–2. (259)
    • During the Ten Year Crusade the Faith had expanded to 93 more countries and major territories. bringing the total to 259. [Patheos website]
  • For number of localities in which Bahá'ís reside in different parts of the world see BW13:462. (from 2,000 to more than 11,000)
  • For languages into which Bahá'í literature has been translated see BW13:462–4.
  • For races represented in the Bahá'í world community see BW13:464.
  • For national spiritual assemblies at the end of the plan see BW13:468–9. (from 12 to 56)
  • See The Bahá'í Faith: 1844-1963: Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Bahá'í Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953-1963 compiled by the Hands of the Cause Residing in the Holy Land.
  • See also Addenda to Statistical Information Published by the Hands of the Cause of God Residing in the Holy Land in Ridván 1963. This publication shows the countries and territories opened by the Faith as well as "supplementary accomplishments".
  • * Shoghi Effendi, Basic timeline; * Teaching Plans; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Basic timeline, Expanded; - Worldwide; Conventions, International; Growth; Localities where Bahá'ís reside; London, England; Most Great Jubilee (1963); Shoghi Effendi, Works of; Statistics; Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963); United Kingdom
    1962 16 Nov
    196-
    The superstructure of the European House of Worship near Frankfurt was completed and the Temple was turned over to the Bahá'ís by the contractor. [BW13:737; MoC15] - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Frankfurt, Germany; Germany; Langenhain, Germany; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Langenhain
    1963 9 Apr
    196-
    The sixth Conclave of the Hands of the Cause of God was convened at Bahjí.
  • For the agenda see MoC404.
  • For cabled message from the Conclave see MoC420.
  • - Hands of the Cause; Akka, Israel; Bahji, Israel; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Hands of the Cause, Conclaves
    1966 8 Mar
    196-
    The second suit brought against the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States by the followers of Charles Mason Remey, who claimed to he the lawful owners of all Bahá'í properties and funds in the United States, was dismissed. [BW14:95] Charles Mason Remey; Copyright and trademarks; Court cases; Covenant-breaking; National Spiritual Assemblies; United States (USA)
    1966 11 Sep
    196-
    The rescue of six Tongan boys from the uninhabited island of 'Ata by Peter Warner and his crew on his yacht the Just David. The boys, all students at St Andrew's College, had stolen a 25 foot whaling boat and, on their first night at sea, had lost the sails and the rudder in a storm. They lost the little food they had carried as well. They were adrift for 8 days without water before reaching the island in June 1965. By the time Warner arrived, the boys had set up a commune with a food garden, hollowed-out trees to store rainwater, a gymnasium, badminton court, chicken enclosures. and a permanent fire. [Wikipedia]
  • This documentary was made in 1966 shortly after the rescue.
  • Here is Peter Warner's own story of the rescue.
  • A documentary has been made of the experience. Here is the trailer.
  • In 1974 Peter Warner was once more in the right spot at the right time, when he rescued a shipwrecked sailing crew on Middleton Reef in the Tasman Sea, with the help of Sione Filipe Totau, one of the Tongans he had rescued earlier.
  • Mr Warner lived in Tonga for thirty years where he became a Bahá'í and help found Ocean of Light International School. His time there was documented in his autobiography called Ocean of Light: 30 Years in Tonga and the Pacific. In the 1990s he moved to the Northern Rivers of NSW, and become a noted macadamia farmer and tree manager near Lismore, before settling in Ballina. This period of his life was covered in his autobiography Twilight of the Dawn.
  • He died on the 13th of April 2021 at the age of 90 after his boat capsized during an attempted crossing of the Ballina Bar in rough conditions. [The Echo]
  • - Bahá'í inspired schools; - Biography; - In Memoriam; Australia; Ballina, New South Wales; Nukualofa, Tonga; Ocean of Light International School, Tonga; Peter Warner; Tonga
    1962 14 Dec
    196-
    The Regional Court of Nador gave its verdict in the case of the 14 Bahá'ís imprisoned in Morocco on charges of sedition: four were acquitted on the grounds that they claim to be Muslims; one was acquitted apparently through family connections; one was released on 15 years' probation owing to his diabetes; five were committed to life imprisonment hard labour; and three were condemned to death. [BBRSM174; MoC18–19]
  • The sentences were appealed to the Supreme Court. [BW13:289; BW14:97; MoC19]
  • - Persecution; - Persecution, Court cases; Court cases; Human rights; Morocco; Persecution, Morocco
    1965 (In the month)
    196-
    The publication of a feature article titled Bahá'í: A way of life for millons in Ebony magazine p48-56.

    Ebony is a monthly magazine that focuses on news, culture, and entertainment. Its target audience is the African-American community, and its coverage includes the lifestyles and accomplishments of influential black people, fashion, beauty, and politics. Ebony magazine was founded in Chicago in 1945 by John H. Johnson.

    Ebony magazine
    1963 Jan
    196-
    The publication of Freedom of Religion on Trial in Morocco: The Nador Case by Bahá'í International Community. It was a report on the situation in Morocco to that point in time. Bahá'í International Community; Morocco; Persecution, Morocco
    1960 20 Aug
    196-
    The presentation of the doctoral dissertation of Allan Luctus Ward entitled An Historical Study of the North American Speaking Tour of 'Abdu'l-Bahá and a Rhetorical Analysis of His Addresses `Abdu'l-Bahá, Travels of; Allan L. Ward; Ann Arbor, MI; Michigan, USA; Rhetoric; United States (USA)
    1963 27 Aug
    196-
    The passing of William Edward Burghardt "W. E. B. Du Bois" (b 23 February, 1868 in Great Barrington, MA) in Accra, Ghana. [Wikipedia; Britannica; Find a grave]

    American sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist, author, writer and editor.

    He was the first African-American to earn a PhD from Harvard in 1895.

    Du Bois was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909. [NAACP]

    For and extensive biography that includes a list of his publications see Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

    - In Memoriam; Race inequality; W. E. B. Du Bois

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