Historical1881
American Red Cross Founded
Clara Barton and a small circle of supporters founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. Barton, who had nursed soldiers during the Civil War, modeled the organization on the International Red Cross and served as its president for 23 years.
Why It Matters
The Red Cross exemplifies the American tradition of voluntary civic association, where citizens organize to serve their communities and respond to disasters without waiting for government action.