Though William Miller (1782–1849) never joined the seventh-day Adventist movement, the history of Seventh-day Adventism has its roots in Miller’s prophecies. Known as Millerites, they followed the teachings of William Miller, who in 1831 first shared publicly his belief that the Second Advent of Jesus Christ would occur in roughly the year 1843–1844. Coming during the Second Great Awakening, his beliefs were taken as predictions, spread widely, and were believed by many, leading to the Great Disappointment.