Bahai Library Online

Chronology of the Bahá'í Faith

World Canada
   

Date 196-, sorted by events, ascending

date event tags firsts
1963 (In the year)
196-
15 years after the establishment of Israel and during the course of the unrest that swept through Iran in response to a set of far-reaching reforms launched by Muhammad-Ridá Sháh, Ayatollah Khomeini and the Association of Iranian Clerics, in two separate declarations, denounced Bahá'ís as agents and representatives of Israel, and demanded their severe repression.
      During the 1960s and 70s almost everything that troubled Iranian clerics was seen as evidence of a Bahá'í-Israeli plot against Islam. The Shah, who was harshly rebuked by the 'ulama for his regime's strong ties with Israel, was accused of being a Bahá'í because of some of the reforms he had introduced, notably his giving voting rights to women, and providing blue-collar industrial workers with a share of the profits earned by their companies. Various cultural events launched by the administration, some of which had clear Western tones, were seen as Bahá'í plots to undermine the Islamic identity of Iranians. Iranian ministers and courtiers were almost collectively accused of being Bahá'ís. Even Iran's notorious intelligence agency, SAVAK, whose strong anti-leftist agenda had naturally led to its inclination to recruit people with Islamic ties, and which had obvious connections with the Hujjatieh society – the self-professed arch-enemies of the Bahá'ís – was seen as nothing more than a Bahá'í puppet. Consequently, the 1979 Islamic Revolution came about not just as an uprising against the Shah, but supposedly as a reaction to an Israeli-Bahá'í threat. [Iran Press Watch 1407]
* Persecution, Iran; - Persecution; - Persecution, Other; - Shahs; Ayatollah Khomeini; Conspiracy theories; History (general); Iran; Iran, General history; Israel; Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi; Reform
1963 - 1964
196-
1963 - 1963 was a Year of Preparation and a time to consolidate the victories of the Ten Year Crusade. [Mess63-86pxli] * Teaching Plans
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 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.
    1968 (Approximate date)
    196-
    Našrīya was a news bulletin of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Tehran. It was distributed free of charge to each Bahá'í family in Tehran every 19 days. It functioned for a dozen years and kept its readers informed of the major news and developments in the Bahá'í community of Tehran. [BAHAISM v. The Bahai Community in Iran by V. Rafati] * Publications; Iran; Nasriya
    1962 25 Jan
    196-
    A Bahá'í Professor of Fine Arts at the University of Tetuan, Morocco, Faouzi Zine Al Abidine, was dismissed from his post and warned to have no association with other Bahá'ís. [MoC17] - Persecution; - Persecution, Other; Morocco; Persecution, Morocco
    1964 - 1965
    196-
    A Bahá'í Publishing Trust for the provision of literature in the French language was established in Brussels. [Riḍván 1965] - Publishing Trusts; Belgium; Brussels, Belgium
    1968 (In the year)
    196-
    A Bahá'í Publishing Trust, Maison d 'Edition, for the publication of Bahá'í literature in the French language, was formed at Brussels by the Belgian National Assembly, thus accomplishing a major goal of the Nine Year Plan. [BW14p95] - Publishing Trusts; Belgium; Brussels, Belgium
    1967 1 Jan
    196-
    A Bahá'í was beaten to death by a mob in Saysán, Ádharbáyján, and other Bahá'ís were attacked and beaten. [BW18:391] - Persecution; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution, Mobs; Azerbaijan; Persecution, Adharbayjan; Saysan, Iran
    1964 8 Mar
    196-
    A cable was sent from Temuco, Chile to the Bahá'í World Centre by Hand of the Cause Jalál Kházeh announcing that mass teaching had started among the Mapuche tribes in Cautin province in southern Chile. As of that time there were close to 9,000 Mapuche believers and more than 90 local spiritual assemblies in the provinces of Cautin, Malleco and Arauco. [BN 136 April 1979 p4-5] Chile; Jalal Khazeh; Mapuche people; Mass teaching; Temuco, Chile
    1966 Dec
    196-
    A campaign was launched against the Bahá'ís of Saysán, Ádharbáyján, by Mullá Mihdí Sultánpúr. [BW18:391] - Persecution; - Persecution, Other; Azerbaijan; Persecution, Adharbayjan; Saysan, Iran
    1968 26 Jan
    196-
    A Moroccan Bahá'í was arrested, tried and convicted on the charges of having abused the sacredness of Islám and using deceptive methods to convert people to another religion; he was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. [BW15:172] - Persecution; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution, Court cases; Court cases; Morocco; Persecution, Morocco
    1960 (In the decade)
    196-
    A number of Bahá'í primary schools were opened in Bolivia. - Bahá'í inspired schools; Bolivia
    1962 autumn
    196-
    A property was acquired outside of Gwalior, India, for a teaching institute. [DM192]
  • The institute was later converted into a boarding hostel solely for Indian children and still later into the 'Rabbani School', now an accredited agricultural school. [DM192–3; VV82]
  • - Bahá'í inspired schools; Gwalior, India; India; Rabbani School, India; Social and economic development; Teaching institutes
    1967 Oct
    196-
    A special edition of The Proclamation of Bahá'u'lláh was published by the Universal House of Justice for presentation to 140 heads of state. [BW14:204–6; CB406]
  • For a picture of the book see BW14:194.
  • For pictures and descriptions of some of the rulers addressed by Bahá'u'lláh see BW14:196–203.
  • For responses from present-day leaders to the book, and pictures, see BW14:207–10.
  • * Bahá'u'lláh, Writings of; * Publications; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Basic timeline, Expanded; - Proclamation of Bahá'u'lláh (book); - Tablets to kings and rulers; - Worldwide; Universal House of Justice; Universal House of Justice, Basic timeline
    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 Oct
    196-
    After the International Conference in London, those members of the newly elected Universal House of Justice who were not already resident in Haifa returned to their homes to make plans to relocate. This was finally completed by October.
  • The Universal House of Justice announced the launch, at Ridván 1964, of the Nine Year Plan. [WG14]
  • As a preliminary step 19 new national spiritual assemblies were to be formed at Ridván 1964. [WG15–17]
  • The next election of the Universal House of Justice will be in spring 1968. [WG17]
  • The Faith had now entered the third epoch of the Formative Age. [WG17]
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; Cycles, Eras, Ages and Epochs; Formative Age; Nine Year Plan (1964-1973); Universal House of Justice
    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
    1960 Aug
    196-
    All Bahá'í activity in Egypt was prohibited by Presidential Decree No 263 issued by President Nasser of the United Arab Republic (Egypt and Syria).
  • Bahá'ís were interrogated, arrested, fined and imprisoned and their property confiscated. [BBRSM174; MC228]
  • Since 1956 National Spiritual Assembly of North East Africa had been led by the former National Spiritual Assembly of Egypt and the Sudan. In 1960 difficulties in Egypt made it impossible to administer territories outside of Egypt a regional administrative committee was formed and this, in turn, was replaced with a new National Spiritual Assembly with its headquarters in Addis Abba. [BW13p287]
  • See message from the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá'ís of Egypt dated 21 December 2006.
  • - Persecution; - Persecution, Arrests; Egypt; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Persecution, Egypt
    1969 16 Oct
    196-
    Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khám had an audience with His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I. She was accompanied by the Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, Gila Bahia and her companion, Violet Nakhjavani. His Majesty's Secretary translated between Amharic during the half-hour interview. Before departing she presented him with a small silver box and he reciprocated with a small case with a gold medal commemorating his coronation.

    Later that afternoon, a distinguished Bahá'í of Addis Ababa, Mr Gayem Belay visited her at her hotel to express his sentiments. "I have come to thank you on behalf of all the Bahá'ís. Today you have entered the heavy iron gates which are now wide open before us. Today, though there are no signs of any clouds, the rain of God's grace and the bounties of Bahá'u'lláh have been showered upon us and have refreshed and revived us." [GAF27-32]

    Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Ethiopia; Gayem Belay; Haile Selassie I.
    1967 24 Dec
    196-
    Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum, after laying the cornerstone of the Temple and attending the Panama Conference, spent nearly a month visiting the Native communities in Panama.

    On November 2nd, she left Panama on a tour which took her to Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay, and which lasted close to three months.

    Her visit to Argentina included a visit on December 24th to the grave of her mother in the cemetery of Quilmes, a suburb of Buenos Aires. May Maxwell had succumbed to a heart attack while on a teaching trip to expand the Faith in South America. It was Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum's first visit to the grave of her mother.

    A donation on behalf of the Canadian Bahá'í community was sent to purchase flowers for the grave site for the occasion of the visit. Sixteen dozen roses of different colours were chosen by Maralyn Dunbar, wife of Hooper Dunbar, South America Auxiliary Board Member, who ably carried out this commission for the Canadian National Spiritual Assembly. A representative group held a commemorative service at the Shrine in Montreal. Gathered in the Master's room of the former Maxwell home were Hand of the Cause John Robarts and Mrs. Robarts, National Assembly member Rowland Estall, Shrine Committee members Mr. and Mrs. Underwood and Heather, and Montreal Local Assembly Chairman Jessie Harkness. [CBN No 217 Feb-Mar 1968 p1]

    An account of the event, essentially by Ruhiyyih Khanum and titled Roots of the Cause in the West, our Dawnbreaker, May Maxwell was serialized in the Canadian Bahá'ì News. [CBN 227 Feb/Mar 1969, CBN No 228 Apr 1969 and CBN No 229 May 1969]

    Buenos Aires, Argentina; May Maxwell; Montreal, QC; Ruhiyyih Khanum
    1962 1 Jan
    196-
    Amelia Collins passed away in Haifa. (b. 7 June, 1873) [BW13:399, 840; MC12]
  • For her obituary see BW13:834–41.
  • Shoghi Effendi appointed her (publicly) among the first contingent on the 24th of December, 1951. [MoCxxiii]
  • For the cable of the Hands of the Cause see MC333.
  • See also Milly by A Q Faizi and PSBW73–106.
  • For a timeline of her life see Shareable Bahá'í Resources.
  • While serving in Haifa she was given 'Abdu'l-Bahá's room. She was the last person to occupy it. [TG231]
  • See Collins, Amelia: The Fulfilled Hope of 'Abdu'l-Bahá by Richard Francis for further details of her life.
  • See Remembering 'Milly' – A Tribute to Amelia Collins by Yas Taherzadeh.
  • See Milly: A Tribute to The Hand of the Cause of God Amelia E. Collins by Abu'l-Qasim Faizi.
  • - Biography; - Births and deaths; - Hands of the Cause; - In Memoriam; Abu'l-Qasim Faizi; Amelia Collins; Haifa, Israel; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; Hands of the Cause, First Contingent; Millie Collins
    1967 Dec
    196-
    American pioneers Dempsey and Adrienne Morgan moved to Chad from Uganda. In the year which followed 686 believers in seven localities joyfully accepted the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh. They left after Ridván 1968. According to their account some 1,600 had enrolled as Bahá'ís during their time there. [Bahá'í National Review Issue 22 October 1969 p3; Servants of the Glory page 35-43] Adrienne Morgan; Dempsey Morgan; Fort Lamy, Chad; Ndjamena, Chad
    1961 7 Dec
    196-
    An article appeared in the nationally prominent Moroccan newspaper Al Alam lamenting the decline of Islám and attacking the Bahá'í Faith. [MoC17]
  • This gave rise to persecution of the Bahá'ís in ensuing months.
  • - Persecution; - Persecution, Other; Morocco; Persecution, Morocco
    1968 Apr
    196-
    An article honouring the Centenary of Bahá'u'lláh's Proclamation to the Kings and religious leaders of the world appeared in the April 1968 issue of Ebony Magazine. The article included a number of colour photographs taken during the recent Bahá'í Intercontinental Conference in Kampala, Uganda. Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Beth McKenty was instrumental in getting the article and has worked with Ebony on the material.
  • In April 1965 Ebony carried a feature story on the Faith titled: "Bahá'í: A Way of Life for Millions."
  • The July 1965 issue of the magazine carried a quarter-page advertisement on the Bahá'í Faith which has been one of the most successful ads in terms of response. [National Bahá'í Review No 3 March 1968 p10]
  • Auxiliary board members; Beth McKenty; Ebony magazine; Proclamation; United States (USA)
    1963 23 Nov
    196-
    At the request of the Universal House of Justice, Bahá'ís around the world prayed at the Feast of Qawl for favourable action to be taken in the case of the Bahá'ís under threat of death and imprisoned in Morocco. [BW14:98]
  • Shortly after the Feast the Moroccan Supreme Court heard the appeals, reversed the decision of the trial court and ordered the release of the prisoners. [BW14:98]
  • - Persecution; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution, Other; Court cases; Custodians; Human rights; Morocco; Persecution, Morocco; Universal House of Justice
    1962 (In the year)
    196-
    Bahá'í homes in Morocco were searched by the police and Bahá'í literature seized. [MoC17] - Persecution; - Persecution, Other; Morocco; Persecution, Morocco
    1960 (In the year)
    196-
    Bahá'ís in Angola were detained and questioned by officials.
  • Joaquim Sampaio was carried off in the middle of the night and was never seen again. It was presumed that he was executed or died in a prison camp.
  • One family was forced to leave the country.
  • The war of independence in Angola lasted from 1961 to 1974.
  • - Persecution; - Persecution, Deaths; Angola; Persecution, Angola
    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
    1960 3 Aug
    196-
    Cable from the Hands of the Cause of God announcing the expulsion as Covenant Breakers of John Carre, Barnard Fillon, Moneer Darakhshan, Joel Marangella, Jaques Soghomonian, Donald Harvey, John Byers and Mary Wilkin. [MoC223] - Bahá'í World Centre; Barnard Fillon; Covenant-breaking; Custodians; Donald Harvey; Jaques Soghomonian; Joel Marangella; Joel Marangella; John Byers; John Carre; Mary Wilkin; Moneer Darakhshan
    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
    1960 18 Nov
    196-
    Clara Dunn, Hand of the Cause of God, passed away in Sydney. (b.12 May 1869) [BW13:859; MoC245]
  • For her obituary see BW13:859–62.
  • For cable from the Hands see MoC245.
  • See also SBR153–75.
  • Shoghi Effendi had appointed her among the second contingent on the 29th of February, 1952. She was one of only eight women appointed. [MoCxxiii]
  • For a biography see The Bahá'í Encyclopedia Project.
  • Remembering Clara Dunn by Melanie Lotfali.
  • - Biography; - Births and deaths; - Hands of the Cause; - In Memoriam; Australia; Clara Dunn; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; Hands of the Cause, Second Contingent; Sydney, Australia
    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
    1961 3 Apr
    196-
    Corinne Knight True, Hand of the Cause of God, (b. 1 November 1861 Louisville, KY d. Chicago, IL 3 April 1961). She was buried in Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago. [BW13:846]
  • Find a Grave.
  • For her obituary see BW13:846–9.
  • For cables from the Custodians see MoC257.
  • Shoghi Effendi had appointed her among the second contingent on the 29th of February, 1952. [MoCxxiii]
  • See also Rutstein, Corinne True George Ronald (1987).
  • See as well Lights of Fortitude p391-407.
  • See 239 Days 22) for the story of her part in the raising of the Temple in Chicago.
  • - Births and deaths; - Hands of the Cause; - In Memoriam; Chicago, IL; Corinne True; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; Hands of the Cause, Second Contingent; Louisville, KY; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette; United States (USA)
    1968 10 Aug
    196-
    Dr Lutfu'lláh Hakím (1888 - 1968), former member of the Universal House of Justice, passed away in Haifa. [BW15:434]
  • For his obituary see BW15:430–4.
  • For cable of the Universal House of Justice see BW15:434 and WG158.
  • See Wikipedia.
  • Find a grave.
  • See Unfolding Destiny p195.
  • See The Early Years of the British Bahá'í Community (1898-1911) p126
  • - Biography; - Births and deaths; - In Memoriam; Haifa, Israel; Lutfullah Hakim
    1966 11 Mar
    196-
    Eduardo Duarte Vieira was arrested in Portuguese Guinea on a charge of subversive political activity following a period of increasing pressure and harassment instigated by the clergy. He had been detained, maltreated and brutally beaten on several occasions since becoming a Bahá'í. [BW14:390] - Persecution; - Persecution, Arrests; Eduardo Duarte Vieira; Guinea Bissau; Persecution, Guinea Bissau; Portuguese Guinea
    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
    1966 (In the Year)
    196-
    Egyptian security services have exploited the decree to orchestrate six major crackdowns on the Bahá'í community , in 1965, 1967, 1970, 1972,1985 and 2001. The authorities arrested a total of 236 Egyptian Bahá'ís in these crackdowns, on grounds that they had violated the decree or on charges of "contempt of religion" On the few occasions on which arrests were followed by prosecutions, none of the defendants were ever found guilty of violating Law 263/1960 or any other law." from "IV. Egypt's Baha'is and the Policy of Erasure" in Prohibited Identities: State Interference with Religious Freedom by Human Rights Watch. Persecution, Egypt
    1967 (In the Year)
    196-
    Egyptian security services have exploited the decree to orchestrate six major crackdowns on the Bahá'í community , in 1965, 1967, 1970, 1972,1985 and 2001. The authorities arrested a total of 236 Egyptian Bahá'ís in these crackdowns, on grounds that they had violated the decree or on charges of "contempt of religion" On the few occasions on which arrests were followed by prosecutions, none of the defendants were ever found guilty of violating Law 263/1960 or any other law." from "IV. Egypt's Baha'is and the Policy of Erasure" in Prohibited Identities: State Interference with Religious Freedom by Human Rights Watch. Persecution, Egypt
    1962 (In the year)
    196-
    Emeric Sala, made a visit to several islands in the Indian Ocean and reported that there were some 400 Bahá'ís in Mauritius of Indian, Moslem, Chinese, Creole and French descent. [TG163] Emeric Sala; Mauritius
    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
    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
    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
    1968 Nov
    196-
    Fereidun Khazrai arrived in Romanian and was designated a Knight of Bahá'u'lláh. [Bahaipedia] - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Fereidun Khazrai; Romania
    1969 (In the year)
    196-
    Fifteen youth enrolled at Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, the beginning of a process in which over 300 people become Bahá'ís. [BW15:218] Mayaguez, Puerto Rico; Puerto Rico
    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 (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
    1964 5 Nov
    196-
    Followers of Charles Mason Remey filed suit in the United States District Court for Northern Illinois against the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, claiming they were the rightful owners of all Bahá'í properties and funds in the United States. [BW14:95]
  • The National Spiritual Assembly of the United States filed a counter-claim asking the court to restrain the Covenant-breakers from using Bahá'í names and symbols protected by trademark. [BW14:95]
  • Charles Mason Remey; Copyright and trademarks; Court cases; Covenant-breaking; Criticism and apologetics; NSA; United States (USA)
    1962 Sep
    196-
    Following full investigation and consultation on certain information concerning the activities of Rex (Reginald) King who has resided in various localities in Central California in recent years, it became necessary for the National Spiritual Assembly at its September meeting to deprive Mr. King of his Bahá'í membership and voting rights. Mr. King is not to be invited to Nineteen-Day Feasts or to participate in any other Bahá'í activities. [US Supplement No 57 November 1962 p2]

    Reginald ("Rex") King, who had been elected secretary of the short-lived New Mexico "National Assembly", dissolved by Remey in 1964. Unhappy about Remey's resistance to his leadership role in the United States, King eventually went to Italy where Remey was living, and had an apparently acrimonious meeting with him. Following this encounter, on 13 September 1969 Remey issued a letter denouncing King: "his station to be ever and eternally that of Satan for evermore". King switched his allegiance to Marangella when the latter advanced his own claims two months later.

    This relationship, however, also soon broke down. King decided that Marangella had made "a number of faulty 'interpretations' of the Writings" and declared that Marangella "had ceased to fulfill the requirements of the office of guardian". He argued, indeed, that "neither Mason Remey nor Joel Marangella had in truth ever been guardians … because of the lack of lineal descendancy" (i.e., from Bahá'u'lláh). What Remey had actually been, King said, was "a regent", and King came to the "realization" that he himself "was in actuality the Second Regent…." [Mason Remey and Those Who Followed Him]

    Charles Mason Remey; Covenant-breaking; Joel Marangella; Rex King (Reginald King)
    1961 17 Jan
    196-
    Following the arrest of Bahá'ís in Turkey in March 1959 and the subsequent court case, the Turkish court received the findings of three outstanding religious scholars that the Bahá'í Faith was an independent religion. [MoC308]
  • For details of the history of the case see MoC306–8.
  • - Persecution; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution, Court cases; Court cases; Human rights; Persecution, Turkey; Turkey
    1968 4 Nov
    196-
    Following the participation of Algerian Bahá'ís in the first Oceanic Conference in Palermo, Sicily, and subsequent international news coverage, foreign Bahá'ís in Algeria were summoned by the police and interrogated. [BW15:172] - Persecution; - Persecution, Other; Algeria; Persecution, Algeria
    1969 Jun
    196-
    For the Bahá'í position on military service see War, Governance, and Conscience in This Age of Transition by National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States in the National Bahá'í Review. Military; Military (armed forces); United States (USA); War; Weapons
    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
    1962 10 Apr
    196-
    Four Bahá'ís were arrested in Nador, Morocco. [BW13:289; BW14:97; BN No 384 March 1963 p1-4]
  • Eventually 14 Bahá'ís in total were arrested: 7 in Nador, 2 in Fez and 5 in Tetuan. [MoC17]
  • For an outline of the situation as it developed over 20 months see MC16–19.
  • - Persecution; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution, Other; Morocco; Persecution, Morocco
    1964 (In the year)
    196-
    Four new believers in Cambodia were arrested and imprisoned as the Bahá'í Faith was not formally recognized and the Bahá'ís did not have permission to teach.
  • See Servants of the Glory page 26.
  • - Persecution; - Persecution, Arrests; Cambodia; Persecution, Cambodia
    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
    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
    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.
  • - Aboriginal people; - Indigenous people; Australia; Fred Murray; June Perkins first full-blooded Bahá'í Aborigine member of Minen tribe
    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
    1967 - 1977
    196-
    From 1967 until 1976 the Harlem Preparatory School was the only high school in central Harlem. The community school, which was set up by a group of black ministers, Catholic nuns, and Bahá'ís, provided a means of education to a primarily African American clientele who were not well-accommodated in the regular system. Under the direction of Headmaster Howard Carpenter, himself an African American New Yorker, the school operated on funding from foundations, businesses and individuals. Those that contributed make a long list that cut across habitual racial and ideological lines. The school employed non-credentialed teachers and the only requirement for graduation was acceptance into a college or university. [From Nayriz to New York: Hussein Ahdieh and the Story of Harlem Prep by Sean Nevins]

    Hussein Ahdieh and Hillary Chapman, two who served at the school in both a teaching and administrative capacity, have documented the decade of operation of the school with a website as well as a youtube video Harlem Prep Step by Step and a book A Way Out of No Way: Transforming Dropouts Into Scholars, 1967-1977.

  • See Mr. Ahdieh's dissertation Harlem Preparatory School: An Alternative, written some three years before the schools closing.
  • See as well The Story Of Harlem Prep: Cultivating A Community School In New York City by Barry M. Goldenberg.
  • Alternative schools; Education; Harlem Preparatory school (Harlem Prep); Hillary Chapman; Hussein Ahdieh; New York, USA; United States (USA)
    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
    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
    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
    1960 5 May
    196-
    Hand of the Cause Abu'l-Qásim Faizí was sent by the Custodians to France to meet with the National Spiritual Assembly and Bahá'ís of France. He was accompanied by Auxiliary Board Member Dr Aziz Navidi. [MC197]
  • Initially eight of the nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly accepted the claim of Mason Remey.
  • After consultation, five members of the assembly continued to support Charles Mason Remey in his claim to be the second Guardian and resigned from the assembly. The five members who sided with Remey were: Joel Marangella, Bernard Fillon, Donald Harvey, Monir Derakhchan and Jaques Soghomonian. The four that remained true to the Covenant were A-M Barafroukhteh, Alain Tamenne, Sara Kenny, and Henriette Samimy. Even though some or maybe all of this group had voted to accept Remey they changed their vote after the meeting with Mr. Faizi. The national assembly was dissolved. [MC203]
  • See SETPE2P236-244 for an account of Mason Remey's defection and ultimate end.
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; - Hands of the Cause; Abu'l-Qasim Faizi; Charles Mason Remey; Covenant-breaking; France; Guardianship; Haifa, Israel; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Joel Marangella; National Spiritual Assembly
    1969 15 Jun - 15 Sep
    196-
    Hand of the Cause Ali-Akbar Furutan travelled throughout the width and breadth of North America. This was part of an eight-month world teaching trip during which he visited New York, Dallas, Fort Worth, Memphis, Washington DC, and the National Centre in Wilmette while he was in the United States. In addition he taught at Baha'i Schools at Green Acre, Camp Dorothy Walls in Black Mountain, North Carolina as well as Davison in Michigan and Geyserville in California and he attended three deepening conferences, two in Juneau and Anchorage, Alaska and one in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

    While in Canada he visited St. Johns, Newfoundland, Vancouver, British Columbia and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and he taught at summer schools at Laurentian, Sylvan Lake, the Pacific Youth Institutes and he attended the Continental Indian Conference held at Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan. [BN No 466 January 1970 p3-4]

    `Alí-Akbar Furútan; Canada; Hands of the Cause, Activities; United States (USA)
    1969 4 Aug
    196-
    Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum and her companion, Violette Nakhjavání, arrived in Kampala, Uganda, at the start of the 'Great African Safari'. [BN No 468 March 1970 p2-12]

      On August 5, 1969, the wheels of our plane touched down at Entebbe airport, Kampala, Uganda—at last the long-promised visit of Amatu'l-Bahá to the believers of Africa was commencing. In 1961, at the time when she dedicated the Mother Temple of Africa for public worship, Rúḥíyyih Khánum promised the friends to come back and really visit them, touring as many Centres as possible. After nine years, this has now been fulfilled. [BW15p594]

    It was the start of a four-leg journey that took the Hand of the Cause to 34 African countries, travelling 36,000 miles, addressing 40,000 people including 19 heads of state in some 400 gatherings. Beginning her Safari in East Africa, she crossed the whole breadth of the continent to the Gambia, turned back to the center of the Congo, and went down to the tip of South Africa in Cape Town before returning to East Africa. She met nineteen Heads of State among them Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, President Hamani Diori of Niger, President Dr. William V.S Tubman of Liberia, King Motlotletlehi Sobhuza II of Swaziland, President Gregoire Kayibanda of Rwanda, and President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia.

  • For a map and details of the safari as well as pictures see BW15:593–607.
  • See The Great African Safari: The travels of Rúhíyyih Khánum in Africa, 1969-73 by Violette Nakhjavani published by George Ronald in 2003.
  • A diary of Rúhíyyih Khánum's travels through Africa was serialized in Bahá'í News in 26 issues (468-513) from 1970 through 1973. These travels lead to significant exposure of the Faith in the public domain, from governments to civil leaders to mass media, propelling the development of national institutions across the continent in a new dimension of work. One can say these events greatly contributed to the emergence of the Faith from obscurity in Africa. [A Brief Account of the Progress of the Bahá'í Faith in Africa Since 1953 by Nancy Oloro-Robarts and Selam Ahderom p9]
  • Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum, Journeys of; George Ronald; Great African Safari; Kampala, Uganda; Uganda; Violette Nakhjavani
    1964 3 Feb
    196-
    Hand of the Cause Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum and her companion Violette Nakhjavání left Haifa at the start of their 55,000 mile, 9-month journey through India, Ceylon, Nepal and Sikkim. [AV114; VV11] Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum, Journeys of; Haifa, Israel; India; Nepal; Sikkim, India; Sri Lanka; Violette Nakhjavani
    1960 Ridván c.
    196-
    Hand of the Cause Charles Mason Remey claimed he was the second, 'hereditary' Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith. [BW13:397; BW16:90; SS49]
  • See MC205–6, 231–6 for details of Remey's claims.
  • Joel Marangella was Mason Remey's "Siyyid Muhammad", that he encouraged Remey to make a claim for the Guardianship with the hope that he might succeed him. [Bahaipedia]
  • See also BBRSM130-1, 138–9; CB386–91; MC196–217, 223–8; SBBH1:220, NOTE 207.
  • At some point in 1960 Mason sent notification of his "appointment" as guardian to the Israeli government. [British Library]
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; Charles Mason Remey; Covenant-breaking; Guardianship; Haifa, Israel; Joel Marangella
    1961 Jan - Feb
    196-
    Hand of the Cause of God Dr Rahmatu'lláh Muhájir traveled to India and demonstrated the principle of mass teaching. [DM172–84; SBBH2:165–7]
  • Mass teaching began in the rural area of Madhya Pradesh among the Hindu population. In 1961 there were 850 Bahá'ís; in 1963 87,000; by 1973 nearly 400,000; and by 1987 about two million. In 1983 45 per cent of all local spiritual assemblies were in India. [BBRSM195; BW13:299]
  • - Hands of the Cause; Growth; Hands of the Cause, Activities; India; LSA; Madhya Pradesh, India; Mass conversion; Mass teaching; Rahmatullah Muhajir; Statistics; Teaching
    1965 15 Jul
    196-
    Hendrik Olsen, the first indigenous Greenlander to become a Bahá'í, enrolled. [Bahaipedia]
      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
    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
    1960 12 Jul
    196-
    Horace Hotchkiss Holley, Hand of the Cause of God, passed away in Haifa. (b. 7 April, 1887 in Torrington, CT) [MC226-227, BW13:849-858]
  • See FMH58-59 for the story of how he came to believe in the Faith.
  • He had served on the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States from 1923 until 1959 and as the secretary from 1924 to 1930 and 1932 until 1959. After the passing of the Guardian he served in the Holy Land. [UN110; BN No 347 January 1960 p1]
  • Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the first contingent on the 24th of December, 1951. [MoCxxiii]
  • For his obituary see BW13:849–858.
  • For cable from the Hands of the Cause see MC217–18.
  • See also SBR214-247, LoF253-264 and Holley, Horace Hotchkiss by R. Jackson Armstrong-Ingram.
      Some of his is publications: See Collins7.1197 to 7.1233]
    • The Bahá'í Religion: Papers Read at the Conference on Some Living Religions Within the British Empire Papers presented by Horace Holley and Ruhi Afnan. 1925 [Collins7.386]
    • Bahaism: The Modern Social Religion, (1913) [Collins7.1203]
    • Religion for Mankind, (1956) [Collins7.1222]
    • World Unity,
    • Bahá'í, The Spirit of the Age, (1921) [Collins7.1201]
    • Bahá'í Scriptures; Selections from the Utterances of Bahaʼuʼllah and Abdul Baha, (1923 and 1928) The first general book-length compilation of the writings of Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Many passages were early and nonauthoritative translations. The book was superseded by Bahá'í World Faith [Collins4.71]
    • Read-aloud Plays,
    • Divinations and Creation,
    • The World Economy of Baháʼuʼlláh
    • The Inner Garden; A Book of Verse
    • The Reality of Man (1931) [Collins3.103]
    • He was a man of enormous capacity. When asked about it he referred to a "zone of energy" in which he sometimes operated when more than normal strength was available to him. [FMH58]
    • See the biography Infinite Horizons - The Life and Times of Horace Holley by Kathryn Jewett Hogenson published by George Ronald 2022.
  • * Arts and crafts; - Biography; - Births and deaths; - Drama; - Hands of the Cause; - In Memoriam; - Plays; Bahá'í Scriptures (book); Connecticut, USA; Haifa, Israel; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; Hands of the Cause, First Contingent; Horace Holley; Torrington, CT; United States (USA)
    1966 (In the year)
    196-
    In 1966, as part of the Lamp Unto My Feet series, an ecumenical religious program that was produced by CBS Television and broadcast from 1948 to 1979 on Sunday mornings, the episode And His Name Shall Be One was aired. The film was used by Bahá'ís throughout the world. [BW14p93] - Documentaries; - Film; And His Name Shall Be One (film); Television; United States (USA)
    1962 Ridván
    196-
    In 1953 the National Spiritual Assembly of Italy and Switzerland had been formed. This Ridván, with the formation of the National Spiritual of Switzerland, the regional assembly was re-named the National Spiritual Assembly of Italy. [BWNS909>/a>] Italy; National Spiritual Assembly, formation
    1960 31 May
    196-
    In a letter addressed to all National Assemblies in the Western Hemisphere and to the Auxiliary Boards, the Hands of the Faith Corrine True, Hermann Grossmann, and William Sears provided an update on the activities of Charles Mason Remey. Some salient points were:
  • Of all the National Spiritual Assemblies only France failed to reject Remey's claims. Hand of the Cause Faizi made a visit to investigate and, with the co-operation of the European Hands, arranged for a new election.
  • Remey had sent two letters calling for support and in the second he deemed the remaining twenty-six Hands of the Cause "violators".
  • It was made known that for the previous two years Remey had been trying to convince his fellow Hands to appoint a Guardian. Until the previous Ridván he hadn't disclosed that it was he, himself, that he had in mind. Remey was aware and had been shown a letter from the Guardian clearly stating that the Hands did not have the authority to appoint a Guardian, only to ratify the choice. He had made his claim notwithstanding the vow that he had taken along with the other Hands in November, 1957 at Bahjí, and re-affirmed in 1958 with their signatures, to complete the Plan and elect the Universal House of Justice at Ridván, 1963. The question of the Guardianship would be referred to the Universal House of Justice.
  • The Hands had spent two years trying to convince Remey of the impossibility of appointing a Guardian. Up to this point they had taken no action other than to warn the friends of his intentions and to ask them to refrain from associating with him.
  • They urged the friends to concentrate their full energies on completing the Plan. [Statement on Mason Remey from the Western Hands of the Faith] iiiii
  • Charles Mason Remey; Corinne True; Covenant-breaking; Custodians; Guardianship; Hermann Grossmann; William Sears
    1963 (In the year)
    196-
    In Angola, Antonio Francesco Ebo and seven other Bahá'ís were arrested and imprisoned in a penal colony off the coast of southern Angola.
  • They remained in confinement for eight years.
  • - Persecution; - Persecution, Arrests; Angola; Persecution, Angola
    1966 (In the year)
    196-
    In Iraq the national and one local Ḥaẓíratu'l-Quds were seized and the activities of the friends were severely restricted. [Ridván Message, 1966] Persecution, Iraq
    1968 Jul
    196-
    In the United States a "Bahá'í Teacher and Speaker List" was compiled for distribution to goals committees and assemblies. 600 people were approached for inclusion on the list. [Bahá'í National Review Issue 13 January 1969 p7] Bahá'í Teacher and Speaker List; United States (USA)
    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
    1962 24 Jul
    196-
    It was announced that the sixth Conclave of the Hands of the Cause of God was postponed until April 1963. [MoC362] - Bahá'í World Centre; - Hands of the Cause; Bahji, Israel; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Hands of the Cause, Conclaves
    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
    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
    1966 14 Apr
    196-
    Jessie Revell, formerly a member of the International Bahá'í Council, passed away in Haifa. [BW14:300]
  • For her obituary see BW14:300–3.
  • - Biography; - Births and deaths; Haifa, Israel; Jessie Revell
    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
    1962 (Near end of year)
    196-
    Joyce McGuffie, Dale Lillico and Samson Knowlton, all of Brocket, AB, have been delegated by the National Spiritual Assembly as a committee to collect, prepare and edit news from the First Nations and other First Nations teaching in the cities. [CBN No 155 Dec 1962 p3] Brocket, AB; Dale Lillico; Joyce McGuffie; Samson Knowlton
    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 2 Apr
    196-
    King Hassan II of Morocco made a public statement promising that if the Supreme Court upheld the decision condemning three Bahá'í prisoners to death, he would grant them a royal pardon. [MoC416] - Persecution; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution, Other; Court cases; Human rights; King Hassan II; Morocco; Persecution, Morocco
    1963 31 Mar
    196-
    King Hassan II of Morocco was featured on an American television show called "Meet the Press". He stated that he believed that the Baháʼí Faith was not a religion and "against good order and also morals". However, on April 2 he made a public statement that if the Supreme Court confirms the penalty of death that he would grant them a royal pardon. in a televised interview in the United States that the Bahá'í Faith was not a religion and was 'against good order and also morals'. [MoC414-419] - Persecution; - Persecution, Other; King Hassan II; Morocco; Persecution, Morocco
    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
    1965 22 Jul
    196-
    Leroy Ioas, Hand of the Cause of God, passed away in Haifa. (b.15 February 1896 in Wilmington, IL). He was known as "the Guardian's Hercules" and was praised by Shoghi Effendi for his "tireless vigilance, self-sacrifice, and devotion to the Cause in all its multiple fields of activity, in 'prodigious labours' and his 'stupendous efforts'. [BW14:291-300, VV7]
  • For his obituary see BW14:291–300.
  • Both of his German-born parents had become Bahá'ís, instructed by Paul Dealy who taught Kheiralla's classes when the demand for such classes became overwhelming in Chicago in 1998. [The Bahá'í Faith: Beginning in North America by Robert Stockman, World Order Vol 18 Issue 4 p24]
  • Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the first contingent on the 24th of December, 1951. [MoCxxiii]
  • For cable of the Universal House of Justice see WG157.
  • For a short biography see LoF265-275.
  • See Leroy Ioas: Hand of the Cause of God by Anita Ioas Chapman, published by George Ronald, 1998
  • Bahaipedia.
  • Shoghi Effendi named the inner front door of the Shrine of the Báb "Báb-i-Ioas".
  • See The Cause of Universal Peace: 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Enduring Impact by Kathryn Jewett Hogenson for information on his part in the organization of a Race Amity Conference in San Francisco with Ella Goodall Coop and Kathryn Frankland Rabbi Rudolph Coffee, the head of the largest synagogue in the Bay Area..
  • - Biography; - Hands of the Cause; - In Memoriam; Anita Ioas Chapman; Haifa, Israel; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; Hands of the Cause, First Contingent; Leroy Ioas; United States (USA); Wilmington, IL
    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
    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
    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 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
    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 (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
    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 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
    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
    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
    1969 Aug
    196-
    New Statistics based on information received from the Universal House of Justice:
    Countries Opened to the Faith: Independent countries ..... 139
    Significant territories and islands .................. 173
    Totals ................. 312

    Number of Localities where Bahá'ís Reside:
    United States ............. 2,533
    Worldwide ................ 33,326

    Number of Administrative Bodies:
    National spiritual assemblies ................ 83
    Local spiritual assemblies worldwide .............. 6,828
    Local spiritual assemblies in the United States ............ 440

    Number of languages into which Bahá'í literature has been translated ..... 428

    Bahá'í schools and institutes-worldwide ........ 109

    Sites acquired for future houses of worship ....... 51

    Number of tribes and minority groups representedworldwide .............. 1,136 [Bahá'í National Review Issue 20 August 1969 p16]

    Statistics
    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 (In the year)
    196-
    Over a thousand new believers enrolled in Ethiopia. [BW15:186] Ethiopia; Mass conversion
    1969 (In the year)
    196-
    Owing to the increased flow of pilgrims, the pilgrim house in Haifa was converted to a pilgrim centre and the decision was taken to accommodate pilgrims in hotels. [DH178] - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel; Pilgrim House, Eastern (Haifa); Pilgrim Houses; Pilgrimage; Pilgrims
    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
    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
    1962 28 Jun
    196-
    President Tubman of Liberia visited the Shrine of the Báb.
  • This is the second official visit of a head of state (but the first foreign head of state) and is notable in that Liberia is the first black republic on the continent of Africa. [BW13:400]
  • See BW13:400 for picture.
  • - Presidents; Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Firsts, other; Haifa, Israel; Liberia; Mount Carmel; Prominent visitors
    1964 19 Sep
    196-
    Prince Sihanouk Norodom, Head of State, and Prince Kantol Norodom, Prime Minister, signed a decree authorizing the exercise of the Bahá'í Faith in Cambodia and recognizing the Bahá'í World Centre in Haifa. Cambodia; Recognition (legal)
    1964 (Unsure of date)
    196-
    Rex and Mary Collision, Knights of Bahá'u'lláh for Ruanda-Urandi (now the independent countries of Rwanda and Burundi), returned to the United States after three year's service at the Temple in Kampala.
  • Photo.
  • Kampala, Uganda; Mary Collison; Rex Collison; Uganda
    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
    1963 31 Jan
    196-
    Roger Baldwin, Chairman of the International League for the Rights of Man, appeared before the UN sub-commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities and stated that, as far they know; the Bahá'í prisoners in Morocco were the only example in recent history where members of a religion had been condemned to death solely for holding and expressing religious views regarded as heretical. [MoC415–16] - Persecution; - Persecution, Other; Human rights; Morocco; Persecution, Morocco; United Nations
    1967 5 – 10 Oct
    196-
    Six Intercontinental Conferences were held simultaneously in Panama City, Wilmette, Sydney, Kampala, Frankfurt and New Delhi to celebrate the centenary of the proclamation of Bahá'u'lláh to the kings and rulers of the world in September/October of 1867. [BW 14:221]
  • For the message of the Universal House of Justice to the conferences see BW14:221–2.
  • For descriptions of each conference see BW14:223–58.
  • See CG68-69 for a brief description of the Intercontinental Conference in Kampala.
  • The six Hands of the Cause representing the Universal House of Justice at the conferences travelled to Adrianople to visit the House of Bahá'u'lláh before dispersing to the conferences. [BW14:236, 458; VV2]
  • - Conferences, Intercontinental; - Tablets to kings and rulers; Australia; Centenaries; Conferences, Bahá'í; Frankfurt, Germany; Germany; India; Kampala, Uganda; New Delhi, India; Panama; Sydney, Australia; Uganda; Wilmette, IL
    1960 12 – 31 May
    196-
    Six national spiritual assemblies sent messages of support to the Custodians, repudiating the claim made by Charles Mason Remey to be the second Guardian. [MC207–8] Charles Mason Remey; Covenant-breaking; Guardianship; National Spiritual Assembly
    1968 7 Nov
    196-
    Sixteen Persian Bahá'ís in Algeria were expelled from the country and their properties confiscated; native Algerian Bahá'ís were put under restrictions and five were exiled to the Sahara and the eastern mountain regions. [BW15:172; BWIM114]
  • Following appeals, the confiscated properties were returned and the order of banishment for the local believers was gradually relaxed. [BW15:172]
  • - Persecution; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution, Other; Algeria; Court cases; Human rights; Persecution, Algeria
    1968 Ridván
    196-
    Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia formed their own regional assembly. Those elected to serve were: Gila Michael Bahta, Dr. Leo Neiderreitter, Gamal Rushdy, Asfaw Tessema, Dr. Heshmat Farhoumand, Dr. Hushang Ahdieh, Ursula Samandari, Assefaw Habte Michael and Rabbi Teele Mariam. [Wikipedia] Ethiopia; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Somalia; Sudan
    1968 2 Sep
    196-
    Tarázu'lláh Samandarí, Hand of the Cause of God, passed away in Haifa. (b.1874 in Qazvin, Persia)
  • Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the first contingent on the 24th of December, 1951. [MoCxxiii]
  • For his obituary see BW15p410-416.
  • For cable of the Universal House of Justice see BW15:416 and WG158–9.
  • Bahá'í Chronicles.
  • See Moments with Bahá'u'lláh: Memoirs of the Hand of the Cause of God Tarázu'lláh Samandarí translated by Mehdi Samandarí and Marzieh Gail and published by Kalimat Press.
  • Find a grave.
  • - Biography; - Births and deaths; - Hands of the Cause; - In Memoriam; Haifa, Israel; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; Ṭaráẓu’lláh Samandarí
    1962 21 Dec
    196-
    Telegrams were sent by the Bahá'í International Community to Secretary-General U Thant and 35 United Nations delegations appealing for help under the Genocide Convention for the Bahá'ís sentenced to death and imprisoned for life in Morocco. [BW13:794] - Persecution; - Persecution, Other; Bahá'í International Community; Human rights; Morocco; Persecution, Morocco; United Nations
    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
    1962 31 Oct
    196-
    The 14 Bahá'ís imprisoned in Morocco were arraigned before the Regional Court of Nador. [BW13:289; MC18]
  • They were charged with rebellion and disorder, attacks on public security, constituting an association of criminals and attacks on religious faith. [BW13:289; BW14:97; MoC18]
  • - Persecution; - Persecution, Court cases; Court cases; Human rights; Morocco; Persecution, Morocco
    1964 Ridván
    196-
    The Nine Year Plan (1964-1973) was launched. [BBRSM159; VV1; WG22–7]
  • The NIne Year Plan was first mentioned by the Universal House of Justice in its message of 7 May 1963 to all National Conventions. In its message of October 1963, addressed to "The Followers of Bahá'u'lláh throughout the World", the Universal House of Justice first informed the friends that the new Plan would extend over a period of nine years.
  • This marked the beginning of the second epoch of Abdu'l-Bahá's Divine Plan which ended in 2021 with the close of the Fifth Five Year Plan. [AWH178; Epochs of the Formative Age by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice]
  • See the letter from the Universal House of Justice addressed to all 69 national/regional assemblies with details of the plan entitled The Launching of the Nine Year Plan. [BW14:104-123]
  • To see the goals of the plan sorted geographically see Goals of the Nine Year Plan.
  • For a listing of collaboration projects fo the plan see Collaboration Projects of the Nine Year Plan.

  • * Teaching Plans; - Bahá'í World Centre; Cycles, Eras, Ages and Epochs; Formative Age; Nine Year Plan (1964-1973); Tablets of the Divine Plan
    1968 10 Dec
    196-
    The Louis G. Gregory Award for Service to Humanity was established by the National Spiritual Assembly in 1968. The first recipients, honoured at a banquet in the Washington Hilton and sponsored by the North American Bahá'í Office for Human Rights (NABOHR, were the Xerox Corporation and Clark M. Eichelberger.

    Mr. Eichelberger, Chairman of the Commission to Study the Organization of Peace, will receive the award for his accomplishments in the field of human rights over a period of many years. He was a consultant to the League of Nations Secretariat and was a member of a committee to prepare the first U.S. working draft of the United Nations Charter. He was a consultant to the U.S. delegation to the 1945 Conference in San Francisco to organize the United Nations. His most recent effort was overseeing the drafting and presentation of a special report on The United Nations and Human Rights. He is the author of four books on the U.N.

    The Xerox Corporation was selected because of its sponsorship of the television series Of Black America and its other outstanding efforts in behalf of human rights. [Bahá'í National Review Issue 12 December 1968 p3; Bahá'í National Review Issue 14 February 1969 p10]

    Louis G. Gregory; Louis G. Gregory Award for Service to Humanity; Race amity; Washington, DC, USA
    1962 (In the year)
    196-
    The administrative institutions of the Faith were banned in Indonesia by President Sukarno. [BW19:41]
  • BW15:174 says this was in 1964, other indications are that it was around the time of the International Convention. [Servants of the Glory page 30]
  • - Persecution; - Persecution, Other; Indonesia; Persecution, Indonesia
    1967 24 - 26 Mar
    196-
    The Arctic Policy Conference was held in Toronto. Present were 16 attendees, Hand of the Cause John Robarts, representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly, the Auxiliary Board, the National Pioneer Committee and individuals involved in the teaching work in the Arctic. It was decided to establish Bahá'í houses in Frobisher Bay in the District of Franklin, Baker Lake in the District of Keewatin and Yellowknife in the District of Mackenzie. [SDSC278]
  • Photo of Bahá'í House in Baker Lake.
  • Baker Lake, NU; Canada; Frobisher Bay, NU; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); John Robarts; Toronto, ON; Yellowknife, NT
    1967 11 Dec
    196-
    The Bahá'í Campus Club was inaugurated at the University of New Brunswick. Bahá'í associations; Canada; Moncton, NB; New Brunswick, Canada; Universities
    1969 Apr
    196-
    The Bahá'í Faith was banned in Algeria by official decree, all Bahá'í institutions were disbanded and the National Spiritual Assembly dissolved. [BW15:189; BW19:41]
  • Algeria has a long history of repression and persecution of religious minorities. Bahá'í activities have been banned by law in Algeria since this time. The government has made little progress on its 2014 commitment to reopen synagogues that had been converted to mosques or churches. In 2006, Algeria adopted Ordinance 06-03 requiring non-Muslim organizations to register with the National Commission governing worship by non-Muslim groups, housed under the Ministry of Religious Affairs. This commission rarely meets and often fails to respond to registration requests by non-Muslim groups in the time required by the ordinance. [US Commission on International Freligious Freedom - Annual Report 2021 p57]
  • - Persecution; - Persecution, Bans; - Persecution, Other; Algeria; NSA; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Persecution, Algeria
    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 Assembly; Recognition (legal) first time an Arab government recognized Bahá'í Faith
    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
    1960 17 – 18 May
    196-
    The Bahá'í International Community attended a meeting called by the United Nations Office of Public Information to discuss problems of cooperation 'with the United Nations family insofar as its programme affects the new nations'. The Bahá'í statement regarding this became part of the conference record. [BW13:792]
  • For the text of statement see BW13:792–4.
  • - BIC statements; Bahá'í International Community; United Nations
    1965 18 Mar
    196-
    The Bahá'í International Community established its own offices in the United Nations Plaza Building in New York. [BW14:90, BIC-History] Bahá'í International Community; New York, USA; United Nations
    1968 (In the year)
    196-
    The Bahá'í Publishing Committee based in Karachi developed into a Bahá'í Publishing Trust responsible for translation and publication into Urdu, English, Persian, Arabic, Sindhi, Pushtu, Balochi, Gojri, Balti and other regional languages. * Translation; - Publishing Trusts; Karachi, Pakistan; Pakistan
    1963 13 Dec
    196-
    The Bahá'í prisoners in Morocco were released on order of the Supreme Court. The high drama had run for some twenty months. [BW14:98; MoC19]

    They were not only released but were exonerated of any culpability and paid compensation for their loss of freedom to earn their living and, in a few cases, where they were employed by th Government, indemnified. All the National Spiritual Assemblies, wherever possible, were asked by the Universal House of Justice to express gratification, through the Moroccan Embassy or Consulate in their areas, to the King for this decision of the Supreme Court. [Mess63-86p25]

    For a picture of the release of the Moroccan Bahá'í prisoners see BW14:97.

    - Persecution; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution, Other; Court cases; Human rights; Morocco; Persecution, Morocco
    1967 (In the year)
    196-
    The beginning of the publication of a magazine for the Bahá'í children of Iran called Varqā. The magazine was published regularly each month until 1979 and was supported by subscribers all over the country and abroad. It played a significant role in the educational and intellectual life of Persian Bahá'í children for more than a decade. After the 1979 revolution, the magazine has continued to be published in India. [BAHAISM v. The Bahai Community in Iran by V. Rafati] * Publications; Iran; Varqa
    1965 23 Mar
    196-
    The case filed by the followers of Charles Mason Remey against the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States was dismissed on technical grounds. [BW14:95]
  • The Covenant-breakers filed a further suit. [BW14:95]
  • Charles Mason Remey; Copyright and trademarks; Court cases; Covenant-breaking; National Spiritual Assemblies; United States (USA)
    1968 26 – 31 Aug
    196-
    The centenary of the arrival of Bahá'u'lláh in the Holy Land was commemorated at the World Centre. [BW15:81–4]
  • For details of the commemoration, the pilgrimage to follow and pictures see BW15:81–6.
  • Passages from the The Lawḥ-i-Ra'ís depicting the rigours and hardships of the Most Great Prison, were chanted in the vicinity of Bahá'u'lláh's Most Holy Tomb, in the presence of over two thousand of His followers gathered from every corner of the world to commemorate the centenary of the arrival in 'Akká of the One Whom the world had wronged. [Three Momentous Years in The Bahá'í World]
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; Bahá'u'lláh, Banishment of; Centenaries; Haifa, Israel; Israel; Pilgrimage
    1964 Apr
    196-
    The chief of the Arpushana clan of the Guajiros, Francisco Pimienta Arpushana, became a Bahá'í in Colombia and teaching work began among his people. [BW14:319] Colombia; Francisco Pimienta Arpushana
    1960 20 Nov
    196-
    The cornerstone of the fifth House of Worship was laid in Langenhain, Germany, by Hand of the Cause of God Amelia Collins. [BW13:739; MC238, 245, 249–50]
  • See also MoC14–15, 236.
  • - Europe; - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Amelia Collins; Foundation stones and groundbreaking; Frankfurt, Germany; Germany; Langenhain, Germany; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Langenhain
    1966 1 Jun
    196-
    The counter-claim of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States against the followers of Charles Mason Remey restraining them from using Bahá'í names and symbols, was upheld when the Covenant-breakers failed to appear at the trial. [BW14:95] Charles Mason Remey; Copyright and trademarks; Court cases; Covenant-breaking; Criticism and apologetics; National Spiritual Assemblies; United States (USA)
    1961 8 Jul
    196-
    The Custodians announced that mass conversion had begun in Ceylon, Central and East Africa, and Bolivia, while in Canada native peoples had begun to enter the Faith. [MoC293] - Africa; - First Nations, Canada; Bolivia; Canada; Custodians; Mass conversion; Native Americans; Sri Lanka
    1960 Ridván
    196-
    The Custodians announced that the Bahá'í Faith was represented in over 256 territories and was established in over 5,800 localities; there were 31 national spiritual assemblies and nearly 1,500 local spiritual assemblies; and Bahá'í literature is in 268 languages. [Mc183–96] - Worldwide; Custodians; Growth; Statistics; Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963)
    1963 1 Jan
    196-
    The Custodians ask all national and local spiritual assemblies to cable the King of Morocco appealing for justice for the Bahá'ís under sentence of death and imprisoned for life in his country. [BW14:97; MoC19] - Persecution; - Persecution, Other; - Worldwide; Custodians; Human rights; Local Spiritual Assembly; Morocco; National Spiritual Assembly; Persecution, Morocco
    1962 22 Aug
    196-
    The Custodians ask the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States to make representations to the diplomatic missions of Morocco in Washington and at the United Nations concerning the 14 Bahá'ís imprisoned in Morocco. [MoC368–9]

    For four months, while a legal committee of the Bahá’ís of Morocco, aided by an able French lawyer of Rabat, explored in vain all ways to obtain either the release of the prisoners or an early hearing of their case, these fourteen souls were kept in strict isolation from their fellow-Bahá’ís, and only a few messages could be passed orally via the women members of their families who could occasionally visit them. In August a devoted Egyptian Bahá’í lawyer (Mohsen Enayat) arrived in Morocco to join in the defense of the believers. The authorities returned no answer to his applications, but he was able to see the prisoners to bring them news and assurance, and to bring back to the Bahá’í community an account of the steadfastness and devotion of these dear friends.

    On October 31st, after more than six months of imprisonment, the fourteen accused were arraigned before the Regional Court of Nador which reviewed the accusations and committed the prisoners for trial before the Criminal Court of the same town on the charges of (1) rebellion and disorder, (2) attacks on public security, (3) constitution of an association of criminals, (4) constitution of an illegal association and (5) attacks on religious faith. [BN No 384 March 1963 p2]

    - Persecution; - Persecution, Other; Custodians; Human rights; Mohsen Enayat; Morocco; NSA; Persecution, Morocco; United Nations; United States (USA)
    1962 23 Sep
    196-
    The Custodians ask the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States to obtain an interview with the personal representative of the King of Morocco who heads that country's delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in New York in connection with the Bahá'ís imprisoned in Morocco. [MoC373–4] - Persecution; - Persecution, Other; Human rights; Morocco; NSA; Persecution, Morocco; United Nations; United States (USA)
    1962 27 Dec
    196-
    The Custodians asked national and local spiritual assemblies to write to the Moroccan ambassador in their respective countries pleading for justice and religious freedom. [MoC398–9] - Persecution; - Persecution, Other; - Worldwide; Custodians; Human rights; LSA; Morocco; NSA; Persecution, Morocco
    1962 23 Dec
    196-
    The Custodians asked national spiritual assemblies to cable Secretary General of the United Nations U Thant requesting his intervention on behalf of the Bahá'ís under sentence of death and imprisoned for life in Morocco. [BW13:794; MoC397–8] - Persecution; - Persecution, Other; Custodians; Human rights; Morocco; NSA; Persecution, Morocco; United Nations
    1962 17 Dec
    196-
    The Custodians asked the Bahá'í International Community to issue press releases deploring Morocco's persecution of religious minorities and pointing out its failure to adhere to the UN charter condemning religious intolerance. [MoC397] - Persecution; - Persecution, Other; Bahá'í International Community; Custodians; Human rights; Morocco; Persecution, Morocco
    1960 28 Apr
    196-
    The Custodians called upon all believers to join the Hands in repudiation of the claims of Charles Mason Remey to be the second Guardian. [MC196–7] Charles Mason Remey; Covenant-breaking; Custodians; Guardianship; Haifa, Israel
    1963 4 Apr
    196-
    The Custodians issued a statement of information to the national spiritual assemblies of the United States and Europe regarding the Bahá'ís imprisoned in Morocco and under threat of death, reminding them that clemency or a pardon are not sufficient, as the condemned Bahá'ís cannot be pardoned for a crime they did not commit. [MoC414]
  • For text of statement see MC414–20.
  • - Persecution; - Persecution, Other; Custodians; Human rights; Morocco; National Spiritual Assembly; Persecution, Morocco
    1963 7 Jun
    196-
    The Custodians published a Declaration 'releasing all their functions, rights and powers conferred upon them by the Declaration of the Hands, November 25, 1957, to the Universal House of Justice'. [MoC433]
  • This was in accordance with the terms of the original document which provided for the Hands to exercise these functions until the election of the Universal House of Justice. [MoC431]
  • - Bahá'í World Centre; Custodians; Haifa, Israel
    1967 12 Nov
    196-
    The dedication of two schools founded by Bahá'ís in Odusai and Tilling Uganda. (Note: Tilling was where the home of Hand of the Cause Olinga was located.) [CG70-71]
  • The schools had been confiscated during the regime of Idi Amin and had fallen into poor repair. A project was undertaken by the Mona Foundation to restore the facilities. [Website]
  • - Bahá'í inspired schools; Odusai, Uganda; Tilling, Uganda; Uganda; Uganda
    1963 - 1986
    196-
    The end of the Second Epoch and the beginning of The Third 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.
  • This Epoch included the Nine, Five, and Seven Year Plans formulated by the Universal House of Justice. [Mess86-01p815]
  • Cycles, Eras, Ages and Epochs; Formative Age
    1969 Jul - Aug
    196-
    The European Dawnbreakers' Show, ''A Plea for One World," was conceived at a Swiss winter school by four young Baha'is from four countries. The original idea of a singing group blossomed into thirty-two Baha'is from ten countries presenting the message of Baha'u'lláh through mime, songs, Baha'i scripture, and documented narrations. A total of eighteen performances were given in The Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. The five-week tour was organized by the Baha'i youth in Europe and supported by the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany [BN No 466 January 1970 p14] - Drama; Belgium; European Dawnbreakers Show; Germany; Netherlands; Proclamation; Switzerland; Teaching; Winter schools
    1967 Ridván
    196-
    The existing National Spiritual Assembly of North West Africa that had been formed in 1956 and was split into two regions in 1964 was again divided. The Spiritual Assembly of the North West Africa region with its seat moved to Rabat now included the following countries: Morocco, Mauritania, Rio de Oro, Spanish Sahara, Ifni, Madeira, and the Canary Islands. [BW15p188] Canary Islands, Spain; Ifni, Morocco; Madeira; Mauritania; Morocco; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Rabát, Morocco; Rio de Oro, Spanish Sahara; Spanish Sahara
    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 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 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
    1961 15 Oct – 2 Nov
    196-
    The fifth Conclave of the Hands of the Cause of God was convened at Bahjí. [MoC249-329]
  • For the agenda see MoC298.
  • - Hands of the Cause; Akka, Israel; Bahji, Israel; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Hands of the Cause, Conclaves
    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
    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; Canada; Native Americans first Athabascan Indian Bahá’í north of the Arctic Circle
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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 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
    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 Assembly; Venezuela first indigenous Local Spiritual Assembly in Venezuela
    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
    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 (In the year)
    196-
    The first local assembly was formed on Terceira Island in the Azores at Ridván in 1958. The Faith continued to grow slowly but steadily. By 1961 the local religious authorities grew concerned. The International Police summoned Mr. Nolen, the Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for the Azores, and advised him that he must discontinue teaching the Faith or leave the islands. Despite these obstacles the Spiritual Assembly continued to meet and study classes were held in Bahá'í homes. [BW15p317-318] Azores; Persecution, Portugal; Portugal
    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 Assembly; Santa Isabel, Equatorial Guinea first Local Spiritual Assembly in Equatorial Guinea
    1968 Ridván
    196-
    The first local spiritual assembly in French Guiana was formed at Cayenne. Cayenne, French Guiana; French Guiana; Local Spiritual Assembly first Local Spiritual Assembly in French Guiana
    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
    1966 7 Nov
    196-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Niger was formed in Niamey. Local Spiritual Assembly; Niamey, Niger first Local Spiritual Assembly in Niger
    1966 Ridván
    196-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Senegal was formed in Dakar. Dakar, Senegal; Local Spiritual Assembly; Senegal first Local Spiritual Assembly in Senegal
    1966 Ridván
    196-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Suriname was formed in Paramaribo. Local Spiritual Assembly; Paramaribo, Suriname; Suriname first Local Spiritual Assembly in Suriname
    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 Assembly; West Island, Australia first Local Spiritual Assembly on Cocos Islands
    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 Assembly first Local Spiritual Assembly in Cayman Islands
    1962 Ridván
    196-
    The first local spiritual assembly of the Loyalty Islands was formed in Nouméa. Local Spiritual Assembly; 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 Assembly; Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Upper Volta, Burkina Faso first Local Spiritual Assembly in Upper Volta
    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
    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
    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 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
    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
    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 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
    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 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
    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
    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
    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
    1960 s, early
    196-
    The first woman Somali to become a Bahá'í, Fatumeh Jama, enrolled. Fatumeh Jama; Somalia first Bahá’í woman Somalia
    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
    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
    1967 8 Oct
    196-
    The foundation stone of the Mother Temple of Latin America was laid by Hand of the Cause Rúhíyyih Khánum in Panama City. [BW14:494] - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Foundation stones and groundbreaking; Latin America; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Panama; Panama
    1960 18 – 27 Oct
    196-
    The fourth Conclave of the Hands of the Cause of God was convened at Bahjí. [MoC177-245] - Bahá'í World Centre; - Hands of the Cause; Bahji, Israel; Haifa, Israel; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Hands of the Cause, Conclaves
    1969 1 Jan
    196-
    The Fredericton Bahá'í community became a registered charitable organization. Canada; Charitable organizations; Fredericton, NB; New Brunswick, Canada
    1966 Apr
    196-
    The goal for the Nine Year Plan for Greenland was to have one group in the capital, Nuuk (Godthab) and a Bahá’í, living in one other locality. At the time Bill Carr, a Canadian Bahá’í, was on the American Air Force Base in Thule as a civilian, and the first Greenlandic Bahá’í, Hendrik Olsen, was living in Sisimiut approximately 600 kilometres from Nuuk. Pioneers from Stockhiolm, the Nielsen family, John and Lotus with children Grace (9) and younger children Lisbeth and Patricia managed to get to Nuuk just in time to fulfill the goal. [BW20p1019] Grace Neilsen; Greenland; John Neilsen; Lisbeth Neilsen; Lotus Neilsen; Nuuk, Greenland; Patricia Neilsen; Placeholdern2
    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.
    1966 12 Dec
    196-
    The Hand of the Cause John Robarts departed Africa from Cape Town after a stay of nearly 13 years. They were recalled from their pioneer post by the Universal House of Justice to help Canada win the goals of the Nine Year Plan. The objective was to raise 154 local assemblies by 1973 but the count had fallen from 68 to only 50, eighteen less than the number won during the Ten Year Plan and 104 short of the objective. [LNW158] - Hands of the Cause; Canada; Cape Town, South Africa; John Robarts; South Africa
    1963 19 May
    196-
    The Hands of the Cause cabled the annual conventions with the names of the five Hands chosen to reside in the Holy Land: Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, Leroy Ioas, 'Alí-Akbar Furútan, Paul Haney and Abu'l-Qásim Faizí. [MoC427] - Hands of the Cause; Abu'l-Qasim Faizi; `Alí-Akbar Furútan; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Haifa, Israel; Hands of the Cause, Activities; Leroy Ioas; Paul Haney

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