When was Wicca, the religion, founded?

1954-wicca was founded in 1954, by a man named gerald gardner. he based his foundings of the religion on folk magic and many other magical practices that he researched. in america, the uk and south africa wicca is a recognised religion, despite it being a minority one. witchcraft is still not legalized as a practice in south africa, so many witches put down the label wiccan when filling in forms. many witches and wiccans also are still in the broom closet and do not describe their true relgion on forms rather saying christian or atheist so as to not lose jobs and job oppurtunities. wicca and the practice of wictchcraft remains a hidden in the shadows practice due to prejudice.