Founder of red cross society

1. A gruesome battle sparked the idea for the Red Cross. In 1859 Swiss entrepreneur Jean Henri Dunant went in search of French Emperor Napoleon III, whom he hoped would help with a business venture in French-controlled Algeria. Dunant never did gain a meeting with the emperor. But while in present-day Italy he witnessed the Battle of Solferino, in which some 40,000 troops were killed or wounded in a single day. Since neither army had much of a medical corps, Dunant organized a group of volunteers to bring food and water to the wounded, to treat their injuries and to write letters to their families. Then, in 1862, he published a book titled “A Memory of Solferino,” in which he described viewing amputations without anesthetic and groaning, fly-covered men who had been left for dead. “Some, who had gaping wounds already beginning to show infection…begged to be put out of their misery, and writhed with faces distorted in the grip of the death struggle,” Dunant wrote. Others were “disfigured…their limbs stiffened, their bodies blotched with ghastly spots, their hands clawing at the ground, their eyes staring wildly.” At the end of his book, Dunant suggested “permanent societies of volunteers who in time of war would give help to the wounded without regard for their nationality.” This vision for the Red Cross, championed by Gustave Moynier of the Geneva Public Welfare Society, became a reality the following year. 2. Not everyone believed the Red Cross was a good idea. In his boo...

Since our founding by Even while the Red Cross adapts to meet the changing needs of the people we serve, we always stay true to those roots. Are you familiar with the classic images of Today, as throughout our long history, the Red Cross depends on generous contributions of time, blood, and money from the American public to support our lifesaving services and programs. We invite you to learn about our history and hope you will feel inspired to become more involved with the Red Cross. Free, guided tours of our National Headquarters at 430 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC are offered Wednesdays and Fridays at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. by reservation only. • Each tour is limited to 8 guests. • Masks are not required on the tour, but they are encouraged. • To request a tour, please submit your information. • Tour requests are not guaranteed. Arrangements are only confirmed by reply from our tour team. Tour Tips • We recommend you schedule 2-3 weeks in advance. • If you cannot schedule in advance, please • The tour takes approximately 1 hour where you will learn the history of the organization while exploring Red Cross Square. • You will see artifacts, artwork and special exhibits located inside and outside. • Wear comfortable shoes as this is a walking tour. • All areas of the tour are wheelchair and stroller accessible. • No pets other than service dogs are allowed • Red Cross Square is a working facility. Due to meetings, some tour stops may not be available for viewing. • For...

The Battle of Solferino, fought in northern Italy in 1859, was a decisive episode in the struggle for Italian independence, in the birth of the Red Cross movement and in the creation of the Geneva Conventions. The bloody battle between the Austrians and a French-Italian alliance lasted for hours before the Austrians were driven into retreat. The casualties have been estimated at anything from 30,000 to 40,000 men. Thousands of wounded were left on the battlefield, far too many for the victors’ small medical teams to cope with. It happened that a 31-year-old Swiss businessman named Henri Dunant was travelling through the area and was utterly horrified by the battle (which he afterwards said compelled young men to be murderers) and by its aftermath. He helped to organise people from the nearby villages to bring water, food and aid to the wounded, regardless of their nationality. He persuaded the French to release a few captured Austrian doctors to help and he paid for the hasty creation of makeshift hospitals. In 1862 Dunant wrote an account of what he had seen in which he suggested that national armies should have efficiently trained non-combatant volunteers to give help to the wounded of both sides. He also wanted international treaties to guarantee the protection of those involved. He sent copies to important figures all over Europe and he made a strong impression. Dunant came from Geneva, where he had grown up a devout Calvinist with a deep interest in charitable work. I...

• • Business • • • • • • • Humanities • • • • • History • Historical Categories • • • • • • • • • • • • Regional Histories • • • • • • • • Chronology • American Studies • • • • • • • • • • European Studies • • • • • • • • • • Latin American Studies • • • • • • • World History • • • • • • • • Languages • • • • • • • Religion • • Christianity • • • • • • • Sciences • • • • • • • • • • Social Sciences • • Criminal Science • • • • Law • • Political Science • • • • • • • Sociology • • • About • • • • • Our Course Readings • • • • • • • • • • • Humanity, impartiality, and voluntary service, are just a few of the fundamental principles of the Global Red Cross Network. The American Red Cross was established to “prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of the emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.” American Red Cross founder Clara Barton, from a portrait taken during the Civil War | Courtesy of Library of Congress The American National Red Cross Society, known as the American Red Cross, in Washington, D.C., was established on May 21, 1881 by Clara Harlowe Barton. Barton was undaunted and on May 21, 1881 she was able to establish the American Red Cross Society. She worked laboriously in order to ratify the Geneva Convention so that the American Red Cross could link up to the International Red Cross. In 1882, Barton was able to tie the American Red Cross back with the International Red Cross due to the signing of the Geneva Convention...

Since 1881, American Red Cross members and volunteers have been an essential part of our nation’s response to war, natural disaster and other human suffering. We’ve witnessed great tragedy, but we’ve also seen triumph as people work together to help rebuild lives and communities. Through the timeline below, you can explore some of those key events in Red Cross history. • May 8, 1828: Henry Dunant, founder of Red Cross Movement, is born in Geneva, Switzerland. • June 24, 1859: Battle of Solferino in Northern Italy prompts Henry Dunant to call for an international relief organization to bring aid to the war-injured. • April 20, 1861: Clara Barton, dubbed the "Angel of the Battlefield," begins aid to servicemen in Civil War. • February 9, 1863: International Committee of the Red Cross is founded in Geneva, Switzerland. • April 20, 1865: After the war, Clara Barton was authorized by President Lincoln to open The Office of Correspondence with Friends of the Missing Men of the United States Army to identify the fate of missing soldiers for grieving parents, family and friends. In 1867, when Barton closed the office, 63,183 letters had been answered and 22,000 missing men identified. • August 8, 1864: First Geneva Convention issued protecting the war wounded and identifying the red cross on a white field as a neutral protective emblem. • March 16, 1882: After years of relentless efforts by Clara Barton, the U.S. Senate ratifies the Geneva Convention of 1864. • May 31, 1889: Red C...

1899, February 17 Through the initiative of Apolinario Mabini, the Malolos Republic approved the Constitution of the National Association of the Red Cross. Mrs. Hilaria del Rosario de Aguinaldo was appointed President of the Association. 1900, August 29 Felipe AgoncilloInternational Delegate of Diplomacy, met with Gustave Moynier, an original member of the Committee of Five and ICRC President, for the recognition of the Filipino Red Cross Society and application of the 1864 Geneva Convention during, the Filipino-American war. 1905, August 30 The Philippine Branch of the American National Red Cross (ANRC) was organized by Filipino and American leaders at the Ayuntamiento. 1917, December 4 The Philippine Branch was officiary recognized as a Chapter of the ANRC. 1934 President Manuel L. Quezon took the initiative to establish an independent Philippine Red Cross. Not until the Philippines became independent did this materialize because the Commonwealth cannot sign the Geneva Conventions. 1942 A Japanese-controlled Philippine Red Cross was created to take care of internment camps located in the country. 1945 Upon the liberation of Manila, local Red Cross officials and the ANRC undertook to reconstitute the organization. 1946, December 1 Thirty-six Red Cross chapters were initially set up in the country. The first Filipino Red Cross Manager, Dr. J. Horacio Yanzon, was appointed. 1947, February 14 President Manuel A. Roxas signed the Treaty of Geneva and the Prisoners of War Conv...

Clarissa Harlowe Barton, known as Clara, is one of the most honored women in American history. Guided by an intense devotion to helping others, she forged a bold path of service to help those in need. As founder of the American Red Cross, Clara is considered a visionary whose humanitarian spirit helped change the world. Highlights of an Extraordinary Life Born December 25, 1821, in North Oxford, Massachusetts, Clara Barton was the fifth child of Stephen and Sarah Barton. After an early career in teaching, Clara moved to Washington, D.C., and worked at the U.S. Patent Office. She was one of the first women to work for the federal government. Angel of the Battlefield Clara was still living in Washington when the American Civil War began in 1861. During that time, she bravely provided nursing care and supplies to soldiers — activities that ultimately defined her life and earned her the nickname, Angel of the Battlefield. When the war ended, Clara found new ways to help the military. With permission from President Lincoln, she opened the Office of Missing Soldiers, helping to reconnect more than 20,000 soldiers with their families. During a trip to Switzerland in 1869, Clara learned about the Red Cross movement, a European humanitarian effort to provide neutral aid to those injured in combat. Inspired by that cause, Clara volunteered with the International Committee of the Red Cross, providing civilian relief during the Franco-Prussian War. This experience, along with her work...

1899, February 17 Through the initiative of Apolinario Mabini, the Malolos Republic approved the Constitution of the National Association of the Red Cross. Mrs. Hilaria del Rosario de Aguinaldo was appointed President of the Association. 1900, August 29 Felipe AgoncilloInternational Delegate of Diplomacy, met with Gustave Moynier, an original member of the Committee of Five and ICRC President, for the recognition of the Filipino Red Cross Society and application of the 1864 Geneva Convention during, the Filipino-American war. 1905, August 30 The Philippine Branch of the American National Red Cross (ANRC) was organized by Filipino and American leaders at the Ayuntamiento. 1917, December 4 The Philippine Branch was officiary recognized as a Chapter of the ANRC. 1934 President Manuel L. Quezon took the initiative to establish an independent Philippine Red Cross. Not until the Philippines became independent did this materialize because the Commonwealth cannot sign the Geneva Conventions. 1942 A Japanese-controlled Philippine Red Cross was created to take care of internment camps located in the country. 1945 Upon the liberation of Manila, local Red Cross officials and the ANRC undertook to reconstitute the organization. 1946, December 1 Thirty-six Red Cross chapters were initially set up in the country. The first Filipino Red Cross Manager, Dr. J. Horacio Yanzon, was appointed. 1947, February 14 President Manuel A. Roxas signed the Treaty of Geneva and the Prisoners of War Conv...

Clarissa Harlowe Barton, known as Clara, is one of the most honored women in American history. Guided by an intense devotion to helping others, she forged a bold path of service to help those in need. As founder of the American Red Cross, Clara is considered a visionary whose humanitarian spirit helped change the world. Highlights of an Extraordinary Life Born December 25, 1821, in North Oxford, Massachusetts, Clara Barton was the fifth child of Stephen and Sarah Barton. After an early career in teaching, Clara moved to Washington, D.C., and worked at the U.S. Patent Office. She was one of the first women to work for the federal government. Angel of the Battlefield Clara was still living in Washington when the American Civil War began in 1861. During that time, she bravely provided nursing care and supplies to soldiers — activities that ultimately defined her life and earned her the nickname, Angel of the Battlefield. When the war ended, Clara found new ways to help the military. With permission from President Lincoln, she opened the Office of Missing Soldiers, helping to reconnect more than 20,000 soldiers with their families. During a trip to Switzerland in 1869, Clara learned about the Red Cross movement, a European humanitarian effort to provide neutral aid to those injured in combat. Inspired by that cause, Clara volunteered with the International Committee of the Red Cross, providing civilian relief during the Franco-Prussian War. This experience, along with her work...

The Battle of Solferino, fought in northern Italy in 1859, was a decisive episode in the struggle for Italian independence, in the birth of the Red Cross movement and in the creation of the Geneva Conventions. The bloody battle between the Austrians and a French-Italian alliance lasted for hours before the Austrians were driven into retreat. The casualties have been estimated at anything from 30,000 to 40,000 men. Thousands of wounded were left on the battlefield, far too many for the victors’ small medical teams to cope with. It happened that a 31-year-old Swiss businessman named Henri Dunant was travelling through the area and was utterly horrified by the battle (which he afterwards said compelled young men to be murderers) and by its aftermath. He helped to organise people from the nearby villages to bring water, food and aid to the wounded, regardless of their nationality. He persuaded the French to release a few captured Austrian doctors to help and he paid for the hasty creation of makeshift hospitals. In 1862 Dunant wrote an account of what he had seen in which he suggested that national armies should have efficiently trained non-combatant volunteers to give help to the wounded of both sides. He also wanted international treaties to guarantee the protection of those involved. He sent copies to important figures all over Europe and he made a strong impression. Dunant came from Geneva, where he had grown up a devout Calvinist with a deep interest in charitable work. I...