The American Red Cross idea was born in 1859, when Henry Dunant, a young Swiss man, came upon the scene of a bloody battle in Solferino, Italy, between the armies of imperial Austria and the Franco-Sardinian alliance. Some 40,000 men lay dead or dying on the battlefield and the wounded were lacking medical attention. Dunant organized local people to bind the soldiers' wounds and to feed and comfort them. On his return, he called for the creation of national relief societies to assist those wounded in war, and pointed the way to the future Geneva Conventions.
In October 1863, The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was created in Geneva, Switzerland, to provide nonpartisan care to the wounded and sick in times of war. The American Red Cross emblem was adopted at this first International Conference as a symbol of neutrality and was to be used by national relief societies. In August 1864, the representatives of 12 governments signed the Geneva Convention Treaty. The extraordinary efforts of Henry Dunant led to the eventual establishment of the International Red Cross.
Today, the American Red Cross Movement incorporates the Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (the International Federation), as well as, National Societies in 175 countries, including the American Red Cross of the United States.
Founded by Clara Barton (1821-1912), the American Red Cross dominates the early history that was modeled after the International Red Cross. She did not originate the Red Cross idea, but she was the first person to establish a lasting Red Cross Society in America. She successfully organized the American Association of the Red Cross in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 1881. Created to serve America in peace and in war, during times of disaster and national calamity, Barton's organization took its service beyond that of the International Red Cross Movement by adding disaster relief to battlefield assistance. She served as the organization's volunteer president until 1904.
Barton headed the Red Cross for 23 years, during which time it conducted its first domestic and overseas disaster relief efforts, aided the United States military during the Spanish-American War, and campaigned successfully for the inclusion of peacetime relief work as part of the International Red Cross Movement–the so-called “American Amendment” that initially met with some resistance in Europe.
The Red Cross received its first congressional charter in 1900 and a second in 1905, the year after Barton resigned from the organization. This charter–which remains in effect today–sets forth the purposes of the organization that include giving relief to and serving as a medium of communication between members of the American armed forces and their families and providing national and international disaster relief and mitigation.
This voluntary organization has about 1.2 million volunteers and 23,000 paid employees across the country helping disaster, flood and war victims everywhere.
These volunteers are at the scene of more than 50,000 disasters a year, from house fires to devastating floods and tornados. They also teach neighbors lifesaving skills in Red Cross CPR, first aid, water safety and health courses.
In 1900, the U.S. Congress granted the American Red Cross a charter, making the volunteer organization responsible for providing services to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and relief to disaster victims at home and abroad.
As a volunteer organization, the American Red Cross depends on the generosity of people for both their time and money to provide disaster relief. All disaster relief given by the Red Cross is given free of charge as a gift from the American people. When a disaster strikes, the Red Cross responds immediately and works in cooperation with the government and other organizations to provide assistance.
The most well-known disaster relief activities are sheltering, feeding and giving first aid to those seeking refuge from a hurricane or flood, or in a wake of a tornado, earthquake, or hazardous materials incident.
In addition to these services, the core of Red Cross disaster relief activities is the assistance given to individuals and families affected by disaster. This assistance is geared towards meeting immediate emergency needs. It is also where the majority of your financial contributions go.
The American Red Cross Programs are founded on the basic principles of Humanity, Impartiality (non-discrimination toward those in need), Neutrality, Independence (freedom of action), Voluntary Service, Unity (only one society in each country), and Universality (societies have equal status and help each other). For more than 125 years, Red Cross workers have eased the pain of millions of people of all races, religions and beliefs.
As we end our stroll today, let's remember those who need our help.
