History of the ICRC: founding and early years

The Red Cross came into being at the initiative of a man named Henry Dunant, who helped wounded soldiers at the battle of Solferino in 1859 and then lobbied political leaders to take more action to protect war victims. His two main ideas were for a treaty that would oblige armies to care of all wounded soldiers and for the creation of national societies that would help the military medical services. Read full overview

Highlights

Reference documents

Facts and Figures

Key facts

Dunant's four colleagues on the original committee of 1863 included a retired general, two lawyers and a doctor.
Although acting in a private capacity, they persuaded the Swiss government to convene the Diplomatic Conference of 1864, which adopted the Geneva Convention.
The first national society to be formed was in the German state of Württemberg in November 1863.
The ICRC gained acceptance as a neutral humanitarian intermediary during the wars that flared up round Europe in the 1860s and 1870s.
The red crescent emblem was first used in 1876 by medical units of the (Turkish) Ottoman Empire, which was fighting a war with Russia.

In images More images

Publications More publications

A Memory of Solferino

This is the book that prompted the creation of what is now a worldwide movement with millions of members and made the name of Henry Dunant known everywhere. The account has moved many people and still does today.
History of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Volume I: from Solferino to Tsushima

This volume covers the history of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement from 1863 to 1912 and the evolution of the law of war from the 1864 Geneva Convention to the Hague Convention No. X of 1907.

History of the ICRC: founding and early years

Highlights

The battle of Solferino (24 June 1859)

From the battle of Solferino to the eve of the First World War

The ICRC and the Geneva Convention (1863-1864)

Reference documents

Facts and Figures

In images More images

Photo galleryHumanity in War: from the mid-19th century to the conflicts of today

Photo galleryThe emblems: in the service of conflict and disaster victims for over 140 years

Publications More publications

A Memory of Solferino

History of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Volume I: from Solferino to Tsushima

International Review of the Red Cross More articles

More