Clara Barton (1821-1912) was the driving force behind the establishment of an American branch of the International Red Cross, which had been founded in Switzerland in 1863 as the "International Committee for Relief to the Wounded." A trained nurse, Barton had worked in the US Patent Office, then volunteered to work in Union field hospitals during the Civil War. She had been placed in charge of hospitals for the Army of the James, and after the war operated the Office of Missing Soldiers.
On May 21, 1881, Barton and 14 others established the American Red Cross in Washington, DC. The first local office was at a Lutheran church in Danville, Illinois.
The federal government determined that an agency like the Red Cross was needed though they are given no money from the government to operate, thus the need for donations. Clara Barton is credited with organizing this organization.
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The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement started over 135 years ago, inspired by a Swiss businessman, Henry Dunant. He had been appalled at the suffering of thousands of men, on both sides, who were left to die due to lack of care after the Battle of Solferino in 1859.
He proposed the creation of national relief societies, comprised of volunteers, trained in peacetime to provide neutral and impartial help to relieve the suffering in times of war.
In response to these ideas a committee, which later became the International Committee of the Red Cross, was established in Geneva. The founding charter of the Red Cross was drawn up in 1863.
Henry Dunant also proposed that countries should adopt an international agreement, which would recognise the status of medical services and of the wounded on the battlefield. This agreement - the original Geneva Convention - was adopted in 1864.
Clara Barton started the American Red Cross to help wounded American soldiers during war.
The American National Red Cross was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton.
Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross.
Clara barton
Jeremy Dwyer
Clara Barton.
clara barton
Clara Barton was born in North Oxford, Massachussetts on Christmas Day in 1821 (not 1812) and founded the American Red Cross in 1881.
Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross.
The plus sign is actually the red cross on the Swiss (Switzerland) flag, as the red cross foundation was founded by a Swiss woman. So the red cross has stayed from the original logo.
Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross.
The American Red Cross was founded May 21, 1881.
Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross.
The Red Cross was founded in 1863.
Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross.
The American Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton. Henry Dunant was the founder of the global Red Cross.
The American Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton. Henry Dunant was the founder of the global Red Cross.
Jean Henri Durant was the founder of RED CROSS
The American Red Cross was founded in May of 1881.