The Bahá’í Centenary 1844-1944/American Bahá’í Chronology

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PART FOUR AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í CHRONOLOGY[edit]

1883, December 10—A letter on "The Bábis and Their Prophet" published in the New York Sun.

1893, September 23—Reference to Bahá’u’lláh in Address by Dr. Jessup in the Parliament of Religions, Columbian Exposition, Chicago.

1894, Formation of First Bahá’í Group in America, Chicago.

1894, Green Acre founded by Sarah J. Farmer, Eliot, Maine, as a universal platform for the discussion of religions.

1897, Mrs. Phoebe Hearst's party of pilgrims visited ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in ‘Akká.

1903, A petition was addressed to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá signed by all American Bahá’ís requesting authority to construct a House of Worship.

1903, June 7—‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablet was revealed to the American Bahá’ís, through the Chicago Assembly, stating that the time had come to construct a Bahá’í Temple in America.

1904, A compilation of Bahá’í Writings in English was prepared and published by the Board of Counsel of New York.

1907, November 26—The first Bahá’í Convention convened in Chicago.

1908, April 9—Chicago Assembly purchased the first lots of the plot of land chosen for the House of Worship at Wilmette, Illinois.

1908-1909—The Bahá’í Publishing Society was founded in Chicago.

1909, Bahá’í Temple Unity, corporate body representing the American Bahá’ís in the construction of the Temple, was incorporated in Illinois.

1910, March 21—The first number of Bahá’í News was published in Chicago. This bulletin later became Star of the West, then The Bahá’í Magazine, and is now World Order.

1912, April 11 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá arrived at New York.

1912, May 1—‘Abdu’l-Bahá dedicated the Temple grounds.

1912, December 5—‘Abdu’l-Bahá departed from America.

1921, May 19, 20, 21—Race Amity Conferences were inaugurated by Mrs. Agnes Parsons in Washington, D. C., under the direction of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

1921, November 28—Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

1924, December—The first number of Bahá’í News Letter, later Bahá’í News, the organ of the National Spiritual Assembly, was published in New York.

1925, October 1—A National Bahá’í Office was established by the National Spiritual Assembly at Green Acre, Eliot, Maine.

1926, The Bahá’í Year Book, Volume One, was published. Later volumes were entitled The Bahá’í World. [Page 94] 1927, April 4—The National Spiritual Assembly adopted its Declaration of Trust.

1927, The first session of a Bahá’í School was conducted on the Bosch property, Geyserville, California.

1928, November 13—The Indenture of Trust executed by Bahá’í Temple Unity transferring the Temple property to trustees for the benefit of the National Spiritual Assembly was recorded in Cook County, Illinois.

1930, January 1—The Indenture of Trust executed by Green Acre Fellowship transferring the Green Acre property to trustees for the benefit of the National Spiritual Assembly was recorded in York County, Maine.

1930, May 9—The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada: Palestine Branch, was established as a religious society in Palestine.

1931, May 1—The superstructure of the Bahá’í House of Worship was completed.

1931, The first session of a Bahá’í School was conducted on the Eggleston property, Davison, Michigan.

1935, March 9—An Indenture of Trust was executed by Roy C. Wilhelm transferring property in West Englewood, New Jersey, to trustees for the benefit of the National Spiritual Assembly for the construction of a Memorial commemorating the American visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

1935, September 27—The Indenture of Trust executed by Shoghi Effendi transferring the house at Malden, Massachusetts, bequeathed to him by Maria P. Wilson, to trustees for the benefit of the National Spiritual Assembly, was recorded in Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

1935, November 25—The Indenture of Trust executed by John and Louise Bosch transferring the property used by the Geyserville Bahá’í School to trustees for the benefit of the National Spiritual Assembly was recorded in Sonoma County, California.

1936, July 1—Appointment of first Inter-America Committee by the National Spiritual Assembly and the beginning of organized and coordinated effort to establish the Faith in the Republics of Central and South America.

1939, October 1—National Bahá’í Office established at 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois.

1939, October 30—The Indenture of Trust executed by Mrs. Loulie A. Mathews transferring the property used by the International Bahá’í School at Pine Valley near Colorado Springs, was recorded in El Paso County, Colorado.

1943, January 8—The exterior ornamentation and circular steps of the House of Worship were completed.

1944, March 28—Completion of Teaching plan to establish an Assembly in every State and Province of North America. [Page 95]

AMERICAN Bahá’í CHRONQLOGY 9,

This Tablet, revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the Bahá’í administrative body elected by the Chicago believers, connected the institution with the order which Bahá’u’lláh had directed His followers to establish.