The Reformation in 100 Facts

The Reformation is one of the most important events in world history. It sparked changes in beliefs that set off a chain of devastating wars in Europe, created the United States and still shapes the modern world, even in secular countries where Christians are in the minority. Yet it had relatively low-key beginnings: in 1517 a German monk, Martin Luther, thought there was room for improvement in the Roman Catholic Church to which he belonged. Instead, he discovered he had founded a new religion,