A Brief History Of The Red Cross

Back in 1859, a Swiss businessman and social activist named Henry Dunant happened to pass by Solferino, a small town in Italy, where a battle between the armies of imperial Austria and the Franco-Sardinian alliance had just occurred.

Image source: twitter.com

There he saw tens of thousands of people either dead or dying, with no one giving them medical attention. To tend to the injured and sick, Dunant organized a group of civilians, composed mostly of women and girls. Dunant covered most of the costs needed to purchase materials and supplies and to help put up makeshift hospitals. What’s more impressive is that he was able to convince the locals to help anyone regardless of their affiliation, giving rise to the slogan by which Red Cross currently abides to, Tutti Fratelli (“All are brothers.”)

Upon his return to Geneva after a few weeks, he wrote his experiences in the book “Un Souvenir de Solferino,” translated “A Memory of Solferino.” The book was published three years later. His recommendation of developing a neutral organization comprised of enthusiastic, devoted volunteers to provide care to injured soldiers was well-received by many political and military figures.

In Feb. 17, 1863, Dunant’s vision came to life, as the International Committee of the Red Cross was founded, with the name and emblem derived from the Swiss flag. Dunant’s initiative was also instrumental in the establishment of the First Geneva Convention.

Image source: redcrosschat.org

Hi, I’m Wayne Imber, a professor of psychology and an avid supporter of and active contributor to the American Red Cross. Read more about the organization by subscribing to my blog.