On This Day

Council of Pisa, an attempt to end the Western Schism in the Catholic Church with two opposing popes, closes after elect

Council of Pisa, an attempt to end the Western Schism in the Catholic Church with two opposing popes, closes after electing a third, Alexander V

The Catholic Church (Latin: Ecclesia Catholica), commonly called the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian denomination, with an estimated 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized members worldwide as of 2025. One of the world's oldest continuously functioning institutions, it has played a major role in the development of Western civilization. The Church consists of 24 autonomous churches—the Latin Church and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches—organized into nearly 3,500 dioceses and eparchies governed by bishops, with the pope serving as bishop of Rome and chief pastor.

Catholic doctrine is rooted in the Nicene Creed and teaches that the Church was founded by Jesus Christ, with bishops regarded as successors of the apostles and the pope as the successor of Saint Peter.

Historical Significance

The Catholic Church (Latin: Ecclesia Catholica), commonly called the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian denomination, with an estimated 1.

Events Before

  1. Lama Deshin Shekpa visits the Ming Dynasty capital at Nanjing and receives the title Great Treasure Prince of Dharma

    Lama Deshin Shekpa visits the Ming Dynasty capital at Nanjing and receives the title Great Treasure Prince of Dharma

  2. Bloody battles between Hoeken and Kabeljauwen in Dordrecht

    Bloody battles between Hoeken and Kabeljauwen in Dordrecht

  3. Mobs attack Jewish community of Kraków

    Mobs attack Jewish community of Kraków

  4. Emir Edigu of Golden Horde reaches Moscow

    The Golden Horde, or Ulus of Jochi, self-designated as Ulug Ulus (lit. 'Great State' in Turkic), was originally a Mongol and later Turkicized khanate established in the 13th century, originating from...

  5. Order of the Dragon is first created by Emperor Sigismund, then King of Hungary, and his wife, Queen Barbara of Celje, f

    Order of the Dragon is first created by Emperor Sigismund, then King of Hungary, and his wife, Queen Barbara of Celje, following the battle for possession of Bosnia

Events After

  1. Battle of Grunwald (First Battle of Tannenburg, Battle of Žalgiris), one of Medieval Europe's largest battles during the

    Battle of Grunwald (First Battle of Tannenburg, Battle of Žalgiris), one of Medieval Europe's largest battles during the Polish-Lithuanian Teutonic War. Polish King Władysław Jagiełło and Lithuanian Grand Duke Vytautas defeat Teutonic Ulrich von Jungingen.

  2. Earliest mention of Prague's astronomical clock, the world's oldest still in operation, built by Mikuláš of Kadaň and Ja

    Earliest mention of Prague's astronomical clock, the world's oldest still in operation, built by Mikuláš of Kadaň and Jan Šindel

  3. Battle of Harlaw, one of the bloodiest battles in Scotland, takes place

    Battle of Harlaw, one of the bloodiest battles in Scotland, takes place

  4. The Medici family is appointed official banker of the Papacy

    The Medici family is appointed official banker of the Papacy

  5. Joan of Arc is born

    Joan of Arc, French folk heroine and saint, known for french folk heroine and saint, was born on 1412-01-06.

More from the 1400s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 7, 1409?
The Catholic Church (Latin: Ecclesia Catholica), commonly called the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian denomination, with an estimated 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized members worldwide as of 2025. One of the world's oldest continuously functioning institutions, it has played a major role in the development of Western civilization. The Church consists of 24 autonomous churches—the Latin Church and 23 Eastern Catholic Churches—organized into nearly 3,500 dioceses and eparchies governed by bishops, with the pope serving as bishop of Rome and chief pastor.
Why is Council of Pisa, an attempt to end the Western Schism in the Catholic Church ... significant?
The Catholic Church (Latin: Ecclesia Catholica), commonly called the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian denomination, with an estimated 1.

Explore More