0303 1st official Roman edict for persecution of Christians issued by Roman Emperor Galerius Valerius Maximianus.

1208 St Francis of Assisi, 26, received his vocation in Portiuncula Italy. He founded the Franciscans the following year, and is regarded by some Catholics as the greatest of all Christian saints.

1296 Pope Boniface VIII degree Clericis Iaicos

1500 Birth of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Reigning 1519-56, it was Charles who officially pronounced Martin Luther an outlaw and heretic.

1510 Pope Julius II excommunicates the republic of Venice

1530 1st imperial coronation by a Pope, Charles V crowned by Clement V

1581 Pope Gregory approves the results of his calendar reform commission

1582 Pope Gregory XIII announces New Style (Gregorian) calendar

1782 Pioneer American Methodist bishop Francis Asbury wrote in his journal: ‘It is my constitutional weakness to be gloomy and dejected; the work of God puts life into me.’

1924 Mahatma Gandhi released from jail

1967 Swiss Reformed theologian Karl Barth wrote in a letter: ‘The statement that God is dead comes from Nietzsche and has recently been trumpeted abroad by some German and American theologians. But the good Lord has not died of this; He who dwells in the heaven laughs at them.’

Religious Observances

Anglican, Lutheran, Roman Catholic : Commemoration of St Matthias the Apostle (non-leap years)

Jewish : Fast of Esther (Adar 13, 5754 AM)

On This Day

Saints, feasts and other days

Catholic: St. Matthias St. Modest St. Sergius

Shrove Tuesday (‘Pancake Day’)

Fairtrade fortnight

In History

1582 - Pope Gregory XIII announces Gregorian calendar