The 95 Theses of Martin Luther
1517 CE
Beginning of the Protestant Reformation.
Historical Context
The Roman Catholic Church was financing the construction of St. Peter's Basilica by selling 'indulgences' (pardon for sins in exchange for money), sparking outrage among rigorous theologians.
The Event
On October 31, 1517, Augustinian monk Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church (or mailed them). He violently denounced the trade in indulgences.
Key Figures
Martin Luther (Theologian and Reformer), Pope Leo X, Johann Tetzel (the chief Dominican indulgence seller).
Aftermath
Thanks to the recent invention of the printing press, the text spread across Europe in weeks. Luther was excommunicated, but his act marked the irreversible split of the Church.
Legacy & Culture
The starting point of the Protestant Reformation, which redrew the geopolitical map, triggered centuries of religious wars in Europe, and gave rise to the Protestant work ethic.
Historiography
Whether Luther literally nailed the parchment with a hammer is debated; it was likely a standard university posting. However, its systemic impact is undisputed.
Sources and References
Disputatio pro declaratione virtutis indulgentiarum (Texte original)
Consulter l'archive officielle ↗Lettre de Martin Luther à l'archevêque Albert de Mayence
Philipp Melanchthon, Historia de vita et actis Lutheri
Porte de l'église de Tous-les-Saints de Wittemberg (site)