Scientology Timeline: Important dates for Scientology

May 9, 1950: “Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health” by L. Ron Hubbard is published.

June 7, 1951: Hubbard Dianetic Research Foundation established in Elizabeth, N.J.

May 1952: The Wichita, Kan., Dianetics training center is moved to Phoenix. Hubbard publicly announces the formal establishment of the philosophy of Scientology and the formation of the Hubbard Association of Scientologists International.

July 1952: “Scientology: A History of Man” published.

February 1954: Church of Scientology founded in Los Angeles.

1956: The church is granted U.S. federal tax-exempt status.

1959: Hubbard moved to England and bought Saint Hill Mansion in Sussex, from which he would direct international operations and expansion until 1967.

1960: Release of the Hubbard Mark II E-Meter, soon followed by the Hubbard Mark III E-Meter.

February 1966: Narconon founded

1967: The IRS strips Scientology of its tax-exempt status.

Aug. 12, 1967: The Sea Organization (or Sea Org) officially established.

Dec. 27, 1967: The first Advanced Organization, offering the advanced levels of Scientology to the public, was established aboard the Royal Scotman, the flagship of the Sea Organization. (This ship was later renamed the Apollo.)

Feb. 22, 1970: Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre in Los Angeles founded.

Jan. 24, 1986: Hubbard dies after suffering a stroke at his ranch near San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Oct. 17, 1992: Presentation of IAS Freedom Medal to Scientologists John Travolta, Debbie Mace and Jerry Boswell at the annual IAS convention aboard the Freewinds.

October 1993: The IRS settles its 40-year battle with Scientology, recognizing it as a tax-exempt church.

June 24, 2005: Tom Cruise drew attention to his Scientology beliefs in a combative interview about antidepressant drugs and psychiatry with “Today” host Matt Lauer. “Psychiatry is a pseudoscience,” he told host Matt Lauer, later saying: “You don’t know the history of psychiatry. I do.” As a Scientologist, Cruise doesn’t believe in the use of drugs or therapy. Scientologists publicly oppose the study and application of psychology.

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