Press Releases

Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) is today introducing a House Resolution celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

On Oct. 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed 95 theses to the door of a German church, igniting the Protestant Reformation and transforming the culture, political structures, economics and education of Western civilization.

European Protestants eventually made their way to North America to evade religious persecution in Europe. Early American Protestants like Thomas Jefferson preserved the freedom of religion and worship through the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Today, Protestants in America make up nearly 45 percent of the population, with thousands of denominations active in every state and territory in the United States.

“As a Member of Congress, it’s paramount that I always stand for religious liberty – an ideal that our Founding Fathers held as well,” said Grothman. “As we recognize the anniversary of the Protestant Reformation today, let us also recognize the significant impact it had on our nation’s founding and the advancement of religious freedom.”

###