Historical1935
Alcoholics Anonymous Founded
Dr. Bob Smith and Bill Wilson held the meeting in Akron, Ohio, recognized as the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. The organization pioneered the peer-support model of community self-help that has since been adapted to address countless social challenges.
Why It Matters
AA's founding exemplifies the American tradition of voluntary association, where citizens organize to solve shared problems outside of government, reflecting Tocqueville's observation about democracy's strength in civic community.