Red Cross History

The American Red Cross actually has international roots, dating back to 19th century war-torn Europe. It was in 1859 on a battlefield in Italy where Swiss businessman Henri Dunant witnessed a disturbing lack of help for the wounded. The experience so moved him that he wrote a book, A Memory of Solferino. Dunant's vision and resulting book inspired the birth in 1863 of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Meanwhile a half world away, the Civil War was raging in the United States. Former schoolteacher, Clara Barton, volunteered to help care for wounded men on the battlefields. Following the war, while traveling in Europe, Barton was introduced to the Red Cross movement. Returning home, she helped persuade the U.S. government to sign the Geneva Convention, international treaties designed to protect war victims. On May 21, 1881, Barton founded the American Red Cross.

Local Red Cross History

Link to National History:

www.redcross.org/museum

Link to International Red Cross History

www.icrc.org