'Abdu'l-Baha had 13 grandchildren

To catch even a glimpse of what must have transpired in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's heart when this first grandson (Shoghi Effendi) was born to Him at the age of fifty-three, one must remember that He had already lost more than one son, the dearest and most perfect of them, Husayn, a beautiful and very dignified little boy, having passed away when only a few years old. Of the four surviving daughters of 'Abdu'l-Bahá three were to bear Him thirteen grandchildren, but it was this oldest one who bore witness to the saying "the child is the secret essence of its sire", not to be taken to mean in this case the heritage of his own father, but rather that he was sired by the Prophets of God and inherited the nobility of this grandfather 'Abdu'l-Bahá. 

- Ruhiyyih Khanum  (‘The Priceless Pearl’)

A Western doctor met the Báb

The only known record of the Báb's having been seen by a European belongs to the period of His persecution when an English physician resident in Tabriz, Dr. Cormick, was called in by the Persian authorities to pronounce on the Báb's mental condition. Read more…

- Shoghi Effendi  (The Dawn-Breakers, p. xxxii) 

American Baha'i doctor in Iran in 1910

Dr. Susan Moody with Baha'is in Tehran, Iran 1910

Shoghi Effendi's Birth

Shoghi Effendi was born on March 1, 1897. At the time of his birth 'Abdu'l-Bahá and His family were still prisoners of the Sultan of Turkey, Abdu'l Hamid; … In 1897 they were all living in a house known as that of Abdullah Pasha … It was in this home that the first group of pilgrims from the Western World visited the Master in the winter of 1898-9.

(Adapted from ‘The Priceless Pear’, by Ruhiyyih Khanum)

Nabil the Author of Dawn-Breakers

He was born on the 18th day of the month of Safar of the year 1247 A. H. in the village of Zarand in Persia. He was thirteen years old when the Báb declared Himself. Though still young he himself was preparing to leave for Shaykh Tabarsi and join the companions of Mulla Husayn when the news of the treachery and massacre of the besieged companions reached him. He met Bahá'u'lláh in Kirmanshah and Tihran before the latter's banishment to Iraq. He was a close companion of the Báb's amanuensis, Mirza Ahmad. Read more…

- Shoghi Effendi  (From a letter dated 30 November 1930, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; 'The Unfolding Destiny of the British Baha'i Community')

'Abdu'l-Baha and family stayed in the House of Abbud until October 1896

After Baha’u’llah left the barracks (4 November 1870), He lived in a succession of houses in various parts of the city [of Akka] (the houses of Malik, Khawwam and Rabi'a) before moving into a house belonging to ‘Udi Khammir, a Christian merchant (also the owner of the mansion of Bahji) in September 1871. It was here that ‘Abdu’l-Baha was married and the Kitab-i-Aqdas revealed. The larger adjoining house of 'Abbud was later rented and openings made to join the two houses together, the whole complex becoming known as the House of 'Abbud. Read more…

- Peter Smith  (A Concise Encyclopedia of the Baha’i Faith)

First Hawaiian Baha'i

Mrs. Mary Fantom has the distinction of being the first Baha'i of Hawaiian blood. She was affectinately known as Auntie May. She was a long-time resident of Maui and closely associated with Hand of the Cause Agnes Alexander. This photograph was taken on Auntie May's ninety-first birthday.

(Baha'i News, March 1971)

The fame of Mulla Husayn's sword

In October 1848 Mulla Husayn and about seventy one of his companions arrived near the town of Barfurush in northern Persia. One of the lead clergy in that town felt threatened by their presence. He instructed the townspeople to go outside the gates of the town and attack them. Seven of Mulla Husayn’s companions were subsequently killed. In the resulting battle the townspeople were defeated and they begged for truce, to which Mulla Husayn agreed. It was during this battle that Mulla Husayn, in one blow from his sword, cut in half an attacker, his musket and the tree behind which the man was hiding. (Adapted from 'The Dawn-Breakers')

Baha'u'llah and Asiyih Khanum's Wedding

It was in October 1835 that Baha'u'llah's marriage to Asiyih Khanum took place.

Howard Colby Ives' first heard about the Baha'i Faith

It was in October of 1911 when there came to me those first stirrings of influences which were to change the course of my life. I picked up a copy of Everybody's Magazine from a casual bookstall and found therein a rather complete article concerning 'Abdu'l-Bahá and His projected visit to America. Read more…

- Howard Colby Ives  (Portals to Freedom)

Mulla Husayn entered the Shrine of Shaykh Tabarsi

Mulla Husayn and his companions entered the Shrine of Shaykh Tabarsi in October 1848 and were attacked that night by a body of horsemen from Qadi-Kula.

- Moojan Momen  (The Baha’i World, vol. 18)

The Bab's Pilgrimage to Mecca

During October 1844 the Bab, accompanied by Quddus, left Shiraz on pilgrimage to Mecca. He returned to Bushihr sometime in late April or early May of 1845.