February 17: Origin of the Red Cross (1863)
Prayer Idea
Pray for Red Cross personnel who are seeking to help people in conflict zones and areas affected by disaster around the world.
History Note
Henri Dunant (1828-1910) witnessed an 1859 battle between French and Austrian soldiers. After the battle, he organized emergency aid services for soldiers on both sides who had been wounded. Over the next few years, Dunant advocated for the creation of societies to care for people in conflict zones, both soldiers and civilians.
On February 17, 1863, Henri Dunant and four other people met in Geneva, Switzerland, and formed the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded. They organized an international conference that year, which adopted principles for the movement and chose the red cross as an emblem. In 1864 the committee oversaw the first Geneva Convention, an international agreement on the treatment of wounded soldiers and the protection of medical personnel.
In 1875 the organization became known as the International Committee of the Red Cross. People in various countries established national Red Cross societies. Clara Barton led the creation of the American Red Cross in 1881. In countries with a majority Muslim population, the local organizations are known as Red Crescent societies. The Magen David Adom in Israel uses a red Star of David symbol.
Today there are 191 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. Staff and volunteers are dedicated to these seven principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
This 2022 photo shows a Red Cross tent in Poland serving people displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Photo by Mynameislisenok / Shutterstock.com.
Learn More
Maintaining neutrality is difficult when people are doing terrible things to each other. This video explains why the Red Cross seeks to serve people on both sides of conflicts.
Please Note: The video contains images of destruction and suffering people.
Find out more about the Red Cross at Homeschool History.
