After special anniversary years in Germany marking the 450th anniversary of the death of Martin Luther (in 1996) and the 500th anniversary of the birth of Luther's co-Reformer, Philipp Melanchthon (in 1997), a series of celebratory events will be held next year to mark the 500th anniversary of the birth of Katharina von Bora, Luther's wife.

The anniversary year for Katharina von Bora will be the first such celebration for a woman from the Reformation. More than 150 events will be held across Germany, including lectures, conferences, theatre productions, concerts and publication launches. Germany's post office will also issue a special commemorative stamp.The organizers of the anniversary year stress that they are honoring Katharina von Bora not only as the wife of Martin Luther but also as a "remarkable woman" involved in her own right in the Reformation.

Most of the events will take place between Jan. 29 1999, the 500th anniversary of her birth, and Dec. 20, the day she died.