October 17, 108: According to tradition, Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, was martyred on this date. The Apostolic Father closest in thought to the New Testament writers, Ignatius wrote seven letters under armed guard on his way to Rome—some asking that the church not interfere with his "true sacrifice" (see issue 27: Persecution in the Early Church).
October 17, 1480: The Spanish Inquisition is activated.
October 17, 1979: October 17, 1979: Mother Teresa is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (see issue 65: The Ten Most Influential Christians of the Twentieth Century).
