Religion

On January 16, 1786, Virginia enacted Thomas Jefferson’s Statute for Religious Freedom. It was one of the most important laws ever passed by the Virginia Assembly, provided inspiration for the Bill of Rights, and was one of the achievements of which Jefferson was most proud.

On December 22, 1696, James Oglethorpe was born in Surrey, England. He settled the Georgia Colony in 1733 and served as its leader for a decade.

Author and abolitionist John Greenleaf Whittier was born on December 17, 1807, at his family’s rural homestead in Haverhill, Massachusetts.

Félix Varela y Morales was born on November 20, 1788, in Havana, Cuba.  A priest and teacher, he spent his life helping the poor and sic

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, India. Gandhi is known worldwide for his peaceful protests and campaign that finally earned India its independence from British rule.

The “Supreme Poet” Dante Alighieri is believed to have died on September 14, 1321. His Divine Comedy is considered one of the most important poems of the Middle Ages and the Italian language.

Reverend Theodore Martin Hesburgh was born on May 25, 1917, in Syracuse, New York.  He served as president Notre Dame University for 35 years, transforming it into one of the best colleges in America.

On December 30, 1696, it is said a miracle took place in Guápulo, Ecuador. That miracle was performed by the Virgin Mary (called the “Lady of the Cloud” by certain communities in Ecuador and Peru). The event became an important part of Guapulo’s culture.

On December 2, 1763, the Touro Synagogue was officially dedicated after four years of construction. Today, it’s the oldest standing synagogue in the US.