2013 Event Pope Francis canonizes a record-breaking number of new Catholic Church saints; Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI submitted the 813 'Martyrs of Otranto' who were beheaded by Ottoman soldiers for refusing to convert to Islam 2011 Event Dubbed the 'Day of Martyrs' in honor of those killed in their fight for freedom, Egyptians continue protesting for the 13th day in Tahir Square 1952 Event Bangladesh Martyrs Day (martyrs of Bengali Language Movement) 1915 Event Massacre of Armenians by Turks starts (Armenian Martyrs Day) 1867 Event Pope Pius IX declares Gorcumse holy martyrs 1675 Event Pope Clemens X declares Gorcumse martyrs divine 1587 Death John Foxe, author (Book of Martyrs), dies 1453 Event 41 Jewish martyrs burned at stake at Breslau 284 Event Origin of Era of Diocletian (Martyrs)
