The Báb in Shiraz, Persia (now Iran)—announced on May 22, 1844, that He was the bearer of a Divine Revelation which would prepare humanity for the advent of the Promised One of all religions.
On the evening of May 22, Baha’is throughout the world commemorate the Declaration of the Bab, which took place in the Persian city of Shiraz in 1844. That Promised One, the Báb declared, was destined to usher in the age of justice, unity and peace promised in Judaism, Christianity, Islam and all the other world religions. Bahá’u'lláh, one of the Báb’s leading advocates, announced in April 1863 that He was the Divine Messenger the Báb had promised.
It seemed as if a new spiritual age was about to begin.
He quickly attracted thousands of followers.
Soon the Báb and His followers were persecuted by the religious and political leaders. The Bab was imprisoned, exiled, beaten and finally executed. The followers, by the thousands, were tortured and martyred.
Despite the opposition, the Báb’s religion survived. Most of the Báb’s followers embraced Bahá’u'lláh’s announcement that He was the One promised by the Báb. The religion, known as the Bahá’í Faith after Bahá’u'lláh’s declaration, continued to expand although persecutions also continued.
Today, the Bahá’í Faith has more than five million followers from every part of the world, drawn from every class of society and nearly every religion.
Bahá’ís celebrate the anniversary of the Báb’s declaration through prayers and programs where the story of His declaration may be retold. It is one of nine holy days in the Baha’i calendar when Bahá’ís suspend work or school. Its observation begins at about two hours after sunset on May 22.
