1512    Martin Luther becomes a doctor of theology (''Doctor in Biblia'').

1512    Martin Luther joins the theological faculty of the University of Wittenberg.

1517    Protestant Reformation: Martin Luther posts his 95 theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.

1520    Pope Leo X threatens to excommunicate Martin Luther in papal bull ''Exsurge Domine''.

1520    Martin Luther burns his copy of the papal bull ''Exsurge Domine'' outside Wittenberg's Elster Gate.

1521    Pope Leo X excommunicates Martin Luther in the papal bull ''Decet Romanum Pontificem''.

1521    Martin Luther's first appearance before the Diet of Worms to be examined by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and the other estates of the empire.

1521    Martin Luther speaks to the assembly at the Diet of Worms, refusing to recant his teachings.

1521    The Diet of Worms ends when Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, issues the Edict of Worms, declaring Martin Luther an outlaw.

1525    Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora, against the celibacy rule decreed by the Roman Catholic Church for priests and nuns.