A Brief History of the Bahá'í Faith

Third Epoch of the Heroic Age: 1892-1921: The Ministry of 'Abdu'l-Bahá

'Abdu'l-Bahá as a young man.

• 16 June 1892 'Abdu'l-Bahá sends first message to the Bahá'í world calling for steadfastness.
• 1892~1893 Nabil commits suicide because he could not bear separation from Bahá'u'lláh.
• 1892-1896  Mírzá Muhammad-'Alí [also a son of Bahá'u'lláh, designated The Greater Branch, second in rank to 'Abdu'l-Bahá and half-brother of 'Abdu'l-Bahá] undertakes covert campaign to discredit 'Abdu'l-Bahá and assume leadership of the Bahá'í Faith. 'Abdu'l-Bahá chooses to keep silent and protect the community.
• 23 Sep 1893  First public mention of the Bahá'í Faith in the West. In a session of the World's Parliament of Religions, the Reverend George A. Ford, a Syrian missionary, reads a paper talking about Bahá'u'lláh.
•   Feb 1894  Dr. Ibrahím George Khayru'lláh, having arrived in New York in 1892, moves to Chicago and seeks out people interested in the Bahá'í Message, eventually establishes several Bahá'í communities.
• 1894 Thornton Chase becomes first American Bahá'í. 'Abdu'l-Bahá confers upon him the title "Steadfast".
• 19 April 1896 Nasirid Din Shah is assassinated by an originator of the constitutional movement in Iran and Bahá'ís are blamed.
• 21 May 1897 Louisa A. Moore becomes a Bahá'í, given the title "Banner", i.e. Banner of the Cause, and is later designated by the Guardian as "the mother teacher of the West". She marries Edward Getsinger and becomes Lua Getsinger.
• 1 Mar 1897  Shoghi Effendi, eldest grandson of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, is born of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's eldest daughter in the House of Abdu'lláh Pasha.. He is descended from Bahá'u'lláh on his mother's side and related to the Báb on his father's side. 'Abdu'l-Bahá gives him the surname Rabbani (Divine).
• 1897 Mirza Aqa Jan, Bahá'u'lláh's amanuensis for 40 years, joins Mirza Muhammad and becomes a covenant breaker.
• Feb, 1898 Khayru'lláh arrives in New York and begins classes on the Bahá'í Faith. 141 new believers enroll by June.
• summer, 1898 Mrs. Phoebe Hearst, wife of Senator George F. Hearst, was taught by Lua Getsinger during one of Mrs. Getsinger's extensive travels throughout America.
• 11 Nov 1898 Khayru'lláh arrives in Akka. 'Abdu'l-Bahá calls him "Bahá's Peter".
• 1898  Phoebe Hearst organizes historic pilgrimage of 15 early American Bahá'ís to meet 'Abdu'l-Bahá. By now there are hundreds of Bahá'ís in America. The pilgrims arrive in 'Akká 10 Dec 1898. The hearts of the pilgrims are set ablaze by the love of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, so much so that some believe 'Abdu'l-Bahá is the return of Jesus Christ. 'Abdu'l-Bahá corrects them, saying that He is the Servant of Bahá. Robert Turner, the black butler of Mrs. Hearst, shown great kindness by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, later becomes the first black Bahá'í on the American continent. May Ellis Bolles is asked to teach the Faith in Paris. Dr. Khayru'lláh, also among the pilgrims, sought 'Abdu'l-Bahá's endorsement of his presentation of the Bahá'í Faith. 'Abdu'l-Bahá corrects his misconceptions and urged him to seriously study the Bahá'í Writings. Khayru'lláh refuses.

The Eastern Pilgrims' House located on Mt. Carmel just east of the Shrine of the Báb.

• 31 Jan 1899 Remains of the Báb finally arrive at Mt. Carmel. 'Abdu'l-Bahá begins construction of a befitting resting-place.
• 9 April 1899 Upheaval at Najafubad.
• 1899  First Bahá'í group in Europe established in Paris by May Bolles. The precursor of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran is established.
• 3 Dec 1899 Charles Mason Remey becomes a Bahá'í.
• 1900  Dr. Khayru'lláh violates Bahá'u'lláh's Covenant, establishes pact with Mírzá Muhammad-'Alí and works against 'Abdu'l-Bahá, trying to seize control of the Faith in the West. Almost none of the American Bahá'ís follow his lead; they remain faithful to 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Khayru'lláh would continue spreading his poison for two decades, but unsuccessful, finally returns to Syria. 'Abdu'l-Bahá sends other great teachers to America to help heal the rift. Bahá'ís of Chicago divide into two groups.
• 1901  'Abdu'l-Bahá and His family, until this time free to venture in the area, are once again confined to the prison walls of 'Akká as a consequence of His enemies representation to the authorities that 'Abdu'l-Bahá was constructing a fort (in reality, the mausoleum) and building an army (in reality, just visiting pilgrims). He directs attention to correspondence while in prison and visits and assists the needy and the sick of 'Akká.
• summer 1901 May Ellis Bolles teaches Thomas Breakwell, first British Bahá'í, also teaches Hippolyte Dreyfus, first French Bahá'í.
• 20 Aug 1901 Sultan 'Abdu'l-Hamid re-imposes confinement of 'Abdu'l-Bahá et al within the walls of 'Akká.
• 26 Nov 1901 First celebration of the Day of the Covenant in North America ('Abdu'l-Bahá's Day celebrated at his behest instead of celebrating his birthday). 'Abdu'l-Bahá chose this day because it was the farthest from His actual birthday.
• 1901-1908 'Abdu'l-Bahá writes will in three parts.
• 1902   May Ellis Bolles weds William Sutherland Maxwell, designer of the superstructure of the Shrine of the Báb, becomes May Maxwell. They establish their home in Montreal, Canada. Bahá'í group establishes in Hawaii. Shanghai is re-opened to the Bahá'í Faith.
• 15 Sept 1902 Mirza 'Azizu'llah visits Count Leo Tolstoy and speaks at length about the history and teachings and the station of Bahá'u'lláh.
• 28 Nov 1902 Cornerstone laid for the first Bahá'í House of Worship (Ishqabad). A meeting hall and two schools, a hostel, a medical dispensary and a national center had been erected prior to 1900.
• 1903 Upheavals at Rasht, Isfahan, and Yazd.
• Feb 1903 Mirza Badi'u'llah, son of Bahá'u'lláh, announces his break with Muhammad-'Ali and pledges loyalty to 'Abdu'l-Bahá - details covenant breakers plots.
•  7 Jun 1903   'Abdu'l-Bahá reveals Tablet calling for the erection of a Temple in America.
• 1904  First commission appointed by the Turkish government investigates the charges leveled against 'Abdu'l-Bahá as a result of the charges by Muhammad-'Ali. The Spanish Consul offers Him safe passage to any foreign port, but 'Abdu'l-Bahá refuses, saying He must abide by whatever the ruling. 'Abdu'l-Bahá's replies to the commission cause it to collapse.
• 1904-1906 Laura Clifford Barney makes a number of long visits to 'Akka. Answers to her questions asked of 'Abdu'l-Bahá are later published as the book "Some Answered Questions".

The residence of 'Abdú'l-Bahá and the Holy Family in Haifa, Israel, at the foot of Mt Carmel.

• 1905 A Bahá'í group is established in Germany.
• 23 May 1905 First Nineteen Day Feast in the West held in New York City, consisting of devotional and social parts. The administrative aspect was developed in the 1930's.
• 1905-1911 The Constitutional Revolution occurs in Iran. Bahá'í involvement was slight, yet believed to be strong by Europeans. When re-established, the Bahá'í Faith was not among the recognized religions.
• 1907 A second commission, composed of four corrupt officials, finally reaches a decision and announces that the charges against 'Abdu'l-Bahá have been substantiated and that He was to be exiled or executed. Upon their return to Turkey, the Young Turk Revolution seizes hold and the four commissioners flee. There is discrepancy as to when the meeting occurred (1905 vs. 1907).
• 1907 Six rooms of the Shrine of the Báb completed.
• 19 July 1907 The Chicago Bahá'í Assembly files for incorporation, the first Bahá'í community to achieve legal status.
• Apr 1908 Purchase of some land for the future House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.
• 1908        Some Answered Questions by Laura Clifford Barney published, based on her interviews of 'Abdu'l-Bahá encompassing her four pilgrimages. The Young Turk Revolution frees all prisoners of the Ottoman Empire, including 'Abdu'l-Bahá in September, Who is finally free to leave Palestine. 'Abdu'l-Bahá drafts His Will and Testament, detailing the two principal institutions of the Faith (the Guardianship - the sole authority for the interpretation of the Bahá'í teachings, and the Universal House of Justice - the primary legislative and administrative authority of the Bahá'í community). He begins to focus on building the international community and the establishment of spiritual assemblies in North America and Persia, the forerunners of the future local Houses of Justice.
• 21 Mar 1909  'Abdu'l-Bahá inters the remains of the Báb on the spot chosen by Bahá'u'lláh years earlier. First American Bahá'í convention held in Chicago at the home of Corinne True.
• 27 April 1909 Sultan Abdu'l-Hamid II is deposed.
• 16 July 1909 Muhammad-'Ali Shah abdicates after an armed revolt. Ahmad Shah, the boy-king, takes the throne on July 18.
• 1909  First of the tablets of  'Abdu'l-Bahá published in the West. 'Abdu'l-Bahá begins to move his family from 'Akka to Haifa.
• 21 March 1910 First issue of Star of the West magazine (first named simply "Bahá'í News").
• 10 Aug 1910  Though in very poor health due to his long imprisonment,  'Abdu'l-Bahá journeys to Egypt to spread the Faith accompanied by Shoghi Effendi.
• 11 Aug 1911   'Abdu'l-Bahá sails for Marseille and later journeys to London (September 4) and Paris (October 3). December2 , He returns to Egypt.
• 25 March 1911 'Abdu'l-Bahá sets sail for America on board the slower S.S. Cedric, preferring it over the more modern Titanic.
• 11 Apr 1912   'Abdu'l-Bahá arrives in New York City at the request of the American Bahá'ís. Visits many cities including Chicago where He laid the cornerstone for "the Mother Temple of the West", Eliot Maine where Sarah Farmer, founder of Green Acre, later opened her facility for Bahá'í training, and Montreal where He was the guest of William and May Maxwell, whose home later became the first Canadian Bahá'í centre, and whose daughter Mary was to become the wife of Shoghi Effendi. During the next 239 days, 'Abdu'l-Bahá spoke at countless churches, halls and homes on many topics such as the basic principles of the Faith, philosophical , moral and spiritual topics, and spoke to church congregations, peace societies, trade unions, university faculties, etc. The talks are later published as "The Promulgation of Universal Peace".
•  1 May 1912  'Abdu'l-Bahá lays the foundation stone for the first Bahá'í House of Worship in the West at Wilmette, Illinois.
• 19 Oct 1912   'Abdu'l-Bahá visits the grave of Thornton Chase in Inglewood, California.
• 29 Jun 1912   'Abdu'l-Bahá hosts first Unity Feast at the Wilhelm properties in W. Englewood, New Jersey.
• 5 Dec 1912  'Abdu'l-Bahá sails for England, visits Liverpool, London, Bristol and Edinburgh. He visits Paris, Stuttgart, Budapest and Vienna. 'Abdu'l-Bahá meets with E.G.Browne in London.
• Jan 1913 'Abdu'l-Bahá visits Paris, then Budapest, Vienna, Stuttgart, Paris and Marseilles.

'Abdu'l-Bahá in Paris, 1912. 'Abdu'l-Bahá was the eldest son of Bahá'u'lláh and his designated successor. Named Abbás after his grandfather, he was known as Abbás Effendi outside of the Bahá'i community. The tittle 'Abdú'l-Bahá translates as " Servant of God." 'Abdu'l-Bahá was born in Tihrán, Iran, on May 23, 1844. While still a child, he recognized his father's station even before it had been openly revealed. He shared Bahá`u'lláh's banishment and exile and often served as His Father's deputy when dealing with officials and the public. He was named successor by Bahá'u'lláh in the Kitáb-i-'Ahdí (Book of the Covenant) and was appointed as the authorized Interpreter of His Writings. 'Abdú'l-Bahá was also given the station of "the Perfect Exemplar of the Bahá'i Faith. He died in Haifa on November 28, 1921.

• May 1913   'Abdu'l-Bahá returns to Egypt.
• 5 Dec 1913 'Abdu'l-Bahá returns to Haifa.
• 1914 Hippolyte Dreyfus and Laura Barney travel around the world teaching the Faith. 'Abdu'l-Bahá grows and stores corn in the years before in preparation for the great conflict.
• 28 June 1914 The heir to the Austrian throne is assassinated in Sarajevo. 'Abdu'l-Bahá instructs all pilgrims to leave the Holy Land. He had predicted a great world conflict.
• 28 July 1914 Austria declares war on Servia. 4 August England declares war on Germany. The Great War begins and contact between 'Abdu'l-Bahá and the West is cut off. 'Abdu'l-Bahá again becomes a prisoner of the Turkish government as a result of the machinations of Mírzá Muhammad-'Alí and again lives under the constant threat of execution. 'Abdu'l-Bahá's corn soon becomes the food of the local people and the British army.
• 1915 Jamal Paha, Commander in the Turkish army, threatens to crucify 'Abdu'l-Bahá.
• 19-25 April 1915 First Bahá'í International Congress, held in San Francisco.
• 1916-1917  Tablets of the Divine Plan, the mandate for the global expansion of the Faith, is sent to America.
• 6 April 1917 United States enters WWI.
• 9 Dec 1917 General Allenby enters Jerusalem. Major Wellesley Tudor Pole risks court martial to alert the British Cabinet to the danger of 'Abdu'l-Bahá.
• 1918    Shoghi Effendi receives Bachelor of Arts degree from the American University at Beirut.
• 23 Sep 1918  'Akká is liberated by British and Indian cavalry and 'Abdu'l-Bahá is again freed.
• 1919    First Convention of the Covenant held in New York City. Later that year, Shoghi Effendi Rabbani was acting as the Master's secretary, translator and right-hand man. Shoghi becomes known in "high" circles. Kheiralla dies, abandoned by all of his followers. Phoebe Hearst dies. Amelia Collins becomes a Bahá'í.
• 26 April-1 May 1919 The 14 Tablets of the Divine Plan are unveiled at the Convention of the Covenant.
• 22 July 1919 Martha Root leaves New York on the first of many teaching journeys for the Faith (goes to Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Panama, Cuba).
• winter 1919  J. E. Esslemont visits for ten weeks, and in 1927 publishes Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era.
• 17 Dec 1919  'Abdu'l-Bahá sent a Tablet defining the Bahá'í peace program to the Central Organization for a Durable Peace in The Hague, Netherlands.
• 10 April 1920 Clara and Hyde Dunn arrive in Sydney, Australia.
• 27 Apr 1920  'Abdu'l-Bahá's humanitarian services, having saved thousands of people from famine in Palestine after the War due to His personal organization of extensive agricultural operations near Tiberias, results in British Government knighthood. He accepted the honor from a "just king" but never uses the title.
• 24 Sep 1920  Excavation begins for the foundation of the House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois.
• 1920  'Abdu'l-Bahá sends Shoghi Effendi to Oxford to perfect his English. Shoghi Effendi believes his lot in life to be that of a translator and servant of  'Abdu'l-Bahá.
• 20 Dec 1920  Construction begins on the House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.
• 20 Aug 1921  Agnes Baldwin Alexander was the first Bahá'í to visit Korea.
• 28 Nov 1921  'Abdu'l-Bahá dies after a brief illness at 1AM in Haifa. Over ten thousand people, including Muslim, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Jewish and Druze dignitaries, the British High Commissioner and governors of Jerusalem and Phoenicia attend. Nine speakers, prominent representatives of the Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities, eulogize His pure and noble life. By now the Bahá'í community has spread throughout the Middle East, India and North America but most Bahá'ís still resided in Persia.  'Abdu'l-Bahá's last instructions are in an envelope addressed to Shoghi Effendi. Following His death, Mirza Muhammad falsely publishes in newspapers that he is His successor. Egyptian Bahá'ís publish a refutation.

A Brief History of the Bahá'í Faith
The Heroic Age: The first epoch: the Báb  The second epoch: Bahá'u'lláh  The third epoch: 'Abdu'l-Bahá
The Formative Age:  The first epoch: 1921 to 1947  The second epoch: 1947 to 1963  The third epoch: 1963 to 1986  The fourth epoch: 1986 to 2001 The fifth epoch: 2001 to present
Further Information:  'Abdu'l-Bahá, Center of the Covenant