At a crucial period for the early Reformation, Frederick protected Luther from the Pope and the emperor, and took him into custody at the Wartburg castle after the Diet of Worms (1521), which put ...

18 (UPI) --On this date in history: In 1871, William of Prussia was declared the first German emperor. His reign ended upon his death March 9, 1888, and he was succeeded by his son, Frederick III.