The Diet of Worms begins, lasting until May 25.

The Diet of Worms in 1521 was a pivotal assembly of the Holy Roman Empire, convened by Emperor Charles V in the city of Worms, Germany. The primary focus was the case of Martin Luther, a German monk and theologian whose writings, including the 95 Theses, challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and questioned its practices, particularly the sale of indulgences. Summoned to defend his views, Luther refused to recant unless convinced by Scripture and reason, famously declaring, “Here I stand; I can do no other.” The Diet concluded with the Edict of Worms, which declared Luther an outlaw and heretic, banning his writings and making it illegal to support him. Despite this, Luther’s ideas gained traction, marking a significant moment in the Protestant Reformation and altering the course of European religious and political history.