Commemorating the Martyrdom of the Báb

by Marcia Veach, Springfield OR

In a spirit of reverence and unity, members of the local Baháʼí community gathered on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Alton Baker Park in Eugene to observe the anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Báb, a significant holy day in the Baháʼí calendar.

The event, attended by Baháʼís and friends from throughout the Eugene-Springfield area, offered a solemn remembrance, incorporating music and storytelling, and concluded with a potluck that gave those present opportunities for fellowship.

The Sacred Significance of the Day

The Martyrdom of the Báb commemorates the execution of Siyyid ʻAlí Muḥammad Shírází, known as the Báb (“the Gate”), who was a central figure in the origins of the Baháʼí Faith. Executed in Tabriz, Persia (now Iran) on July 9, 1850, the Báb’s life and teachings paved the way for Baháʼu’lláh, the founder of the Baháʼí Faith, and inspired generations of followers to pursue peace, justice, and unity.

For Baháʼís around the world, and in communities like ours, this day is observed with a mix of sorrow for the Báb’s tragic fate and joy for the spiritual legacy that endures.

“This holy day is both a time of mourning and of celebration,” explained local Baháʼí organizer and spokesperson Star Stone Harmon. “We remember the sacrifice the Báb made for truth and justice, and we come together to recommit ourselves to those same ideals.”