Jean Henri Dunant, Founder of the Red Cross
(Credit : Time Life Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is an annual celebration of the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. World Red Cross Red Crescent Day is celebrated on 8 May each year. This date is the anniversary of the birth of Jean-Henry Dunant, who was born on 8 May 1828. He was the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize.
History
The idea for an "annual action that could take hold in the whole world ... that would be a major contribution to peace" was introduced just after World War I. This initiative, known as the "Red Cross Truce", was studied by an International Commission established at the 14th International Conference of the Red Cross. Its report, presented to the 15th International Conference of the Red Cross in Tokyo in 1934, was approved. It was only after World War II, in 1946, that the Tokyo proposal was studied by the League of Red Cross Societies (LRCS). Two years later, having considered the principles of the truce and its applicability across different regions of the world, the proposal of an annual International Red Cross Day was adopted and the first Red Cross Day was celebrated on 8 May 1948.
The official title of the day changed over time, and became "World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day" in 1984. The League of Red Cross Societies (LRCS) was renamed the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in 1991.
About the IFRC
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network. Their secretariat supports local Red Cross and Red Crescent action in more than 192 countries, bringing together almost 15 million volunteers for the good of humanity. More details can be found on their website https://www.ifrc.org
- Article by CT Staff
.png)
.png)
.png)