CLEARWATER, FLORIDA

L. RON HUBBARD BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION 2025: HONORING THE PAST, FULFILLING THE FUTURE

MARCH 15, 2025

Thousands of Scientologists from around the world gather at the spiritual headquarters in Clearwater to honor the birthday of Founder L. Ron Hubbard, celebrating a vision that transcends generations.

The atmosphere inside Ruth Eckerd Hall crackled with energy so electric it could light up half of Clearwater. The source behind this powerful display of excitement: L. Ron Hubbard (LRH), the man whose birthday, life and legacy Scientologists had come to celebrate.

The evening revolved around three magnificent highlights: the unveiling of a trio of new Landmark Sites—places where LRH made monumental achievements, now forever commemorated; then news of the imminent Grand Opening of the newest Ideal Church of Scientology; and the traditional Birthday Game announcing the winners of an international race, fueled by the goal of delivering expansion.

Yet on top of the thunderous applause each received, there would be one final announcement that truly rocked the very foundation of the building.

Putting this night of boundless celebration into perspective, Mr. David Miscavige, the ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, arrived to the first of countless standing ovations that shook the auditorium. Whereupon, he led the crowd of thousands on a two-and-a-half-hour odyssey that not only chronicled LRH’s path of research and discovery—but also presented a never-ending focus on his enduring imprint.

“Tonight we honor LRH: his life, his legacy, his history and heritage and, most of all, the man himself,” Mr. Miscavige began. “Tonight, above all other nights, LRH draws even closer. Or maybe, it is we who draw closer. And so, we step into the universe of LRH. A place where amazing things happen: where there’s a candle on his birthday cake for every human being on Earth; where there’s a birthday card for everyone about to take their first breath; and, a global influence so vast, well, just look around you—Scientologists from no less than 71 nations are gathered right now in this very hall!

“So yes, you’ve arrived at the nucleus of a Birthday Celebration for all the world to witness,” Mr. Miscavige continued. “Because, not to overstate it and not to stretch the point … but the fact is, LRH is everywhere this evening.”

Mr. Miscavige first unveiled a cascade of recognitions bestowed upon L. Ron Hubbard, spanning cultures, continents and civilizations—averaging one for each of the last 365 days. Each commendation, every proclamation and the litany of ovations all declared the same news: LRH’s legacy is endless.

With that, the audience was soon immersed in an unparalleled journey through three newly restored Landmark Sites, each marking a milestone on LRH’s global trail of research and discovery.

The journey began in 1950 at 42 Aberdeen Road, Elizabeth, New Jersey, where the first Dianetics Foundation was born. Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health was sweeping the nation, appearing on the New York Times bestseller list—where it would stay for 28 consecutive weeks—and, as the momentum grew, this historic site became the nerve center of a nascent movement. In fact, the first-ever Dianetics course curriculum and the first-ever lectures and training of Dianetics auditors (counselors) were held here.

Now fully restored, the site stands exactly as it did then—even with the very mahogany Chippendale chairs where LRH sat for those first foundation meetings.

The next waypoint was Phoenix, Arizona—renowned as the Birthplace of Scientology, already known for LRH’s restored landmark at Camelback Mountain. But just two miles away is another historic site no less significant on Osborn Road. Because, in December 1954, LRH united the subjects of Dianetics and Scientology—a turning point commemorated in the legendary Unification Congress and marked forever by the book Dianetics 55!

The audience was transfixed as they heard the voice of LRH describing the site as “a beautiful place ... in the middle of a citrus grove.” Attendees were even afforded the rare opportunity to view a 15-second glimpse of never-before-seen footage of LRH himself, walking around the tear-drop-shaped swimming pool—all now fully restored.

The final stop: Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe)—a site of equally monumental discoveries and developments. LRH arrived in 1966 to the suburb of Alexandra Park. Within days, his new address—31 John Plagis Place—became a center of influence for opinion leaders and dignitaries. Or, as LRH wrote at the time, “I am knee deep in ministers and parliament people.”

But beyond even that, this British-colonial-style landmark was the backdrop for another Scientology milestone: LRH’s legendary filmed Clearing Course lectures. Here, too, he gave his only ever filmed interview: An Introduction to Scientology. Now restored, this heritage site includes the very room where LRH filmed those Clearing Course lectures, as well as his desk and personal artifacts—even the exact suit he wore in those lectures.

All of these Landmark Sites offer Scientologists the chance of a lifetime to see—in living color and detail—the exact locations where LRH’s breakthroughs occurred. Thus, they are invited to literally walk in his footsteps. The journey through the new landmarks concluded with even more applause at the announcement that the three sites will soon open in April, May and June.

The night next turned to the latest chapter in the quest to deliver what LRH most wished for on his birthday: Expansion. Today that’s propelled by the Golden Age of Administration, the most important training program in Scientology history.

After unveiling the off-the-charts results from the first 12 Organizations to implement this program, Mr. Miscavige introduced new teams that recently graduated and returned to their Ideal Orgs in North America, Europe and Asia.

He also announced yet another monumental gift: a new Ideal Org about to shed a ribbon in Eastern Cape, South Africa, in the Home of Legends—the birthplace of Nelson Mandela. The elated audience relished a vibrant preview of the new 10-story downtown beacon, the newest Ideal Org set to rise up.

The exhilarating pace charged ahead to one of the night’s most hotly anticipated elements: the announcement of the winners of the annual LRH Birthday Game—an international race played with the goal of finishing first in one of four distinct leagues. Across six continents and hundreds of cities, Scientology Missions, Churches, Advanced Organizations and Continental Liaison Offices drive forward with unrelenting momentum. Defined not just by speed but by the magnitude of expansion, this year’s race was among the most competitive in history.

Those stepping into the Winner’s Circle in this game of games were: the Scientology Mission of Zbrojnicka, Czech Republic, winning their league for the very first time; the Church of Scientology of San Francisco, rewriting their history, also with a first-ever win; the Advanced Organization of Los Angeles, scoring with a record-breaking surge; and the Continental Liaison Office of Europe, storming across 12 time zones to take the title.

It was only when the hometown cheers and universal support for all the winners was subsiding that Mr. Miscavige next hushed the crowd with a stunning announcement.

“There yet remains one more item on this evening’s agenda. It’s now time to step through the ‘looking glass’ and consider what’s in store for tomorrow,” he said. And for the thousands of attendees, what followed was an unexpected, unforgettable and undeniable revelation: a breathtaking preview of the future L. Ron Hubbard Hall—a masterpiece destined to crown the Flag campus.

The hall will be a living tribute—designed to inspire, built to uplift. A space where community and purpose will unite. A place where history will be made. It will stand as a permanent symbol, a stone-and-light monument to the enduring legacy of the Founder himself.

When the crowd caught their breath minutes later, the evening reached its resounding final note as Mr. Miscavige delivered a defining birthday message from Mr. Hubbard:

“It is true that paths are sometimes rough and that travel can be tiring and long. But wait!

“There are vistas never dreamed of, there are joys never even known, there are glories no past glory ever surpassed. These wait for you but only if you accept my legacy and help bring these things about.”