1559 – The Synod of Pinczow, Poland, debated the nature of Christ, showing the Socinian influence. The dispute was settled with both sides claiming victory. The post November 21 first appeared on Harvard Square Library. Read more at: www.HarvardSquareLibrary.org – the digital library of Unitarian Universalism.

1850 – Charlotte Garrigue Masaryk was born in Brooklyn, New York. Her family belonged to First Unitarian Church of Brooklyn. While studying piano in Germany, friends there told her about Thomas Masaryk, whom she married in 1878. The couple moved to Prague, Czechoslovakia, where Thomas fought for his country’s independence and Charlotte devoted her time … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History November 20

1904 – Ednah Dow Littlehale Cheney, a Unitarian and civil rights activist, died at age 80. She was an activist for women’s rights, abolition, and the education of free slaves. She was a friend of Harriet Tubman, who furthered her interest in educating former slaves. Interested in medical education for women, Cheney was instrumental in … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History November 19

2003 The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issues its decision in the case of Goodridge vs. the Department of Public Health of Massachusetts. The court held that under the Constitution of Massachusetts, it is illegal to deny to people of the same gender the same marriage rights granted to people of different genders. The primary plaintiffs … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History November 18

The coat of arms of Rakow, Poland 1599 – John Saieninius, the ruler of Krakow, Poland, converted from Calvinism to Socinianism during debates at Rakow and became a patron of Socinian churches and an important benefactor of the movement. He established a Unitarian congregation and his son James established a Unitarian seminary and printing office … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History November 17

1611 – John Tyscovicius of Poland was executed because he would not take an oath on the Trinity but only to God. His tongue was plucked out for the crime of blasphemy, after which he was beheaded, his hands and feet cut off, and his body publicly burned. Although his village council exonerated Tyscovicius on … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History November 16

1814 – Frances Anna Maria Russell was born. She became a Unitarian at age 70. Her grandson was the famous philosopher Lord Bertrand Russell and her husband was Lord John Russell. She was a friend to many Unitarian literary figures, including Charles Dickens, James Russell Lowell, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. She helped organize the Unitarian … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History November 15

1797 – Sir Charles Lyell was born in Kinnordy, Forfarshire, England. He was a lawyer who became an eminent geologist and antrhopologist. Lyell worked to reconcile science and religion. Queen Victoria knighted him in 1848. Lyell worshiped at Little Portland Street Chapel (Unitarian) in London. On his trips to America, he became acquainted with New … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History November 14

1813 – Henry Solly was born in London. Reared Unitarian, he was a member of the first class at University College in London that would receive Unitarians. He became minister at the Unitarian chapel at Yeovil, Somerset, England, He founded the Working Men’s Clubs, the Charity Organisation Society, and the Garden City movement. His main … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History November 13

The New North Church, Boston (flickr.com) 1852 – Francis Parkman Sr., a noted Unitarian scholar, died in Boston at age 64. He studied theology under William Ellery Channing and was minister of New North Church in Boston for 40 years. His son, also named Francis Parkman, became a noted American historian. The post November 12 … Continue reading This Day in Unitarian Universalist History November 12