19th Century
December 25, 1821
Clara Barton is born in New Oxford, Mass.
May 8, 1828
Henry Dunant, founder of Red Cross Movement, is born in Geneva, Switzerland.
June 24, 1859
Battle of Solferino in Northern Italy prompts Henry Dunant to call for an
international relief organization to bring aid to the war-injured.
April 20, 1861
Clara Barton, dubbed the "Angel of the Battlefield," begins aid to servicemen
in Civil War.
February 9, 1863
International Committee of the Red Cross is founded in Geneva, Switzerland.
April 20, 1865
After the war, Clara Barton was authorized by President Lincoln to open The Office
of Correspondence with Friends of the Missing Men of the United States Army to
identify the fate of missing soldiers for grieving parents, family and friends. In 1867,
when Barton closed the office, 63,183 letters had been answered and 22,000
missing men identified.
August 8, 1864
First Geneva Convention issued protecting the war wounded and identifying the
red cross on a white field as a neutral protective emblem.
May 21, 1881
Clara Barton and associates establish the American Red Cross.
August 22, 1881
First local chapter of the American Red Cross is formed in Dansville, N.Y.
September 4, 1881
Red Cross undertakes its first disaster relief effort aiding victims of
Michigan forest fires.
May 16, 1882
After years of relentless efforts by Clara Barton, the U.S. Senate ratifies
the Geneva Convention of 1864.
May 31, 1889
Red Cross responds to Johnstown, Pa., flood that kills over 2,000.
August 27, 1893
Clara Barton aids 30,000-mostly African-American-homeless victims of a
hurricane on the Sea Islands of South Carolina.
February 15, 1896
Clara Barton and associates arrive in Constantinople to begin five-month
campaign bringing relief to Armenian victims of Turkish oppression.
June 20, 1898
Clara Barton sails to Havana, Cuba, with supplies for victims of
Spanish-American War. First American Red Cross war-related assistance to U.S.
military.
20th Century
September 8, 1900
Clara Barton's last relief operation is on behalf of victims of the
devastating hurricane and tidal wave that hit Galveston, Texas.
December 10, 1901
Mabel T. Boardman elected to Red Cross governing board, beginning a lifelong
career of organizational leadership, particularly among volunteers.
January 5, 1905
The Red Cross received our first congressional charter in 1900 and a second
in 1905, the year after Barton resigned from the organization. The most recent
version of thecharter–which was adopted in
May, 2007 restates the traditional purposes of the organization which include
giving relief to and serving as a medium of communication between members of the
American armed forces and their families and providing national and
international disaster relief and mitigation.
April 18, 1906
Earthquake and fire ravage San Francisco; President Theodore Roosevelt calls
on the Red Cross to lead a major relief effort.
October 9, 1909
Major Charles Lynch appointed director of new Red Cross First Aid Department.
January 20, 1910
First meeting held to form American Red Cross Nursing Service is chaired by
Jane Delano, who becomes the Service's esteemed director.
November 5, 1910
Pullman Company donates first railroad car to Red Cross for use around the
country as a classroom for first aid instruction.
December 15, 1910
Thomas A. Edison Company releases "The Red Cross Seal," the first in a series
of public health films about the ravages of tuberculosis and Red Cross efforts
to prevent its spread.
March 25, 1911
Red Cross helps families of mostly young women who are victims of tragic
Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire in New York City.
February 6, 1912
Red Cross approves creation of a Rural Nursing Program.
April 12, 1912
Clara Barton dies at age 91 in her home in Glen Echo, Md., eight years after
her resignation from the Red Cross.
April 14, 1912
Red Cross comes to aid of those who survived the sinking of the Titanic.
March 19, 1913
President Woodrow Wilson named first honorary president of American Red
Cross, establishing a precedent for all chief executives who have followed.
February 1, 1914
Commodore Wilbert E. Longfellow, known as the "Amiable Whale," begins Red
Cross Water Safety program.
September 12, 1914
Red Cross "Mercy Ship" sails to Europe with medical staff and supplies
following outbreak of World War I.
July 24, 1915
S.S. Eastland, with 2,000 summer holiday-makers aboard, capsizes in the
Chicago River, causing over 800 deaths. Red Cross relief is immediate.
June 27, 1916
Home Service for the military begins its work with help to U.S. troops along
Mexican border of the during a series of raids on civilian towns.
May 10, 1917
President Woodrow Wilson appoints a War Council to guide operations of the
Red Cross during World War I.
May 12, 1917
Red Cross dedicates its headquarters building in Washington, D.C., as a
memorial to "the heroic women of the Civil War," both North and South.
May 25, 1917
Red Cross starts service to blinded war veterans in Baltimore, Md.
June 2, 1917
Red Cross Commission to Europe sets sail to alleviate wartime suffering.
June 17, 1917
Red Cross holds first War Fund drive, surpassing a goal of raising $100
million in one week.
August 30, 1917
Red Cross starts its Canteen Service to provide refreshments to the military.
September 15, 1917
President Woodrow Wilson calls on youth to join the newly formed Junior Red
Cross.
April 22, 1918
Red Cross introduces medical social work in servicemen's hospitals.
June 5, 1918
Red Cross begins Nurses' Aide program to make up for nurse shortages during
wartime.
July 2, 1918
Frances Reed Elliott is enrolled as the first African-American in the Red
Cross Nursing Service.
January 27, 1919
Red Cross reports 204 of its nurses have died combating worldwide Spanish
influenza pandemic. Red Cross recruited a total of 15,000 women, including
regularly enrolled nurses to respond to the deadly outbreak.
May 5, 1919
League of Red Cross Societies (now the International Federation of Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies) is formed in Paris, France.
May 17, 1919
Red Cross National Children's Fund is set up to aid youth in postwar Europe.
September 1, 1923
Red Cross aids thousands of earthquake and fire victims in Tokyo and
Yokohama, Japan.
April 21, 1927
After weeks of heavy rainfall, a major levee breaks along the Mississippi
River beginning a flood that would cover 27,000 square miles. Red Cross spends
months aiding the victims.
March 7, 1932
Red Cross begins distribution of government surplus wheat and cotton products
to victims of drought in the Dust Bowl, which covered more than five states
including Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
May 15, 1940
Early blood processing program for relief of English war victims, called
Plasma for Britain, begins under direction of Dr. Charles R. Drew.
February 4, 1941
Red Cross begins National Blood Donor Service to collect blood for the U.S.
military with Dr. Charles R. Drew, formerly of the Plasma for Britain program,
as medical director.
June 1, 1941
Red Cross services to military unified as "Services to Armed Forces" (SAF).
November 3, 1941
Irving Berlin's "Angels of Mercy" becomes official Red Cross wartime song.
December 7, 1941
Moments after attack on Pearl Harbor, Red Cross volunteers go into action.
July 15, 1942
Red Cross convenes meeting with black leaders to encourage minority
participation in organization.
October 26, 1942
World War II Clubmobiles begin service in England.
November 9, 1942
Red Cross establishes a membership plan for units in U.S. colleges.
November 11, 1942
American Red Cross opens famous Rainbow Corner Club in London for servicemen.
November 28, 1942
Red Cross responds to fire at Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston, Mass., that
claims 494 lives.
May 1, 1943
Jesse Thomas is the first African-American to join the American Red Cross
executive staff.
March 20, 1945
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's last radio talk to nation is in support
of the Red Cross War Fund.
August 18, 1945
Red Cross ends its World War II blood program for the military after
collecting more than 13 million pints.
August 29, 1945
First Red Cross field director arrives in Japan after World War II to help
rebuild Japanese Red Cross.
June 8, 1947
In an effort to include more representation from the local chapters, the
Board of Governors replaces Central Committee as Red Cross governing body.
January 12, 1948
Red Cross begins its National Blood Program for civilians by opening its
first collection center in Rochester, N.Y.
October 1, 1949
George C. Marshall, World War II hero and creator of the "Marshall Plan" to
help Europe recover from war, becomes Red Cross president.
July 22, 1950
Red Cross becomes blood collection agency for military during Korean War.
August 5, 1953
Red Cross aids Operation Big Switch exchange of POWs at end of Korea War
hostilities.
October 1, 1953
Janet Wilson becomes first National Director of new Office of Volunteers that
brings workers together from different services under "one Red Cross."
April 4, 1955
The Red Cross liberalizes fundraising policy to allow chapters to participate
in federated campaigns, such as the Community Chest, a forerunner of the United
Way.
July 14, 1955
United States ratifies the Geneva Conventions of 1949 that still apply today.
December 5, 1962
Red Cross begins collecting medicines and food for Cuba in exchange for
release of Bay of Pigs POWs.
March 27, 1964
Red Cross aids victims of massive earthquake that hits Anchorage, Alaska.
October 8, 1965
Red Cross Movement adopts its Seven Fundamental Principles: Humanity,
Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and
Universality.
October 30, 1967
Board of Governors receives report that National Headquarters will host a
national Rare Blood Donor Registry for blood types occurring less than once in
200 people.
February 14, 1972
Red Cross calls for national blood policy, which the federal government sets
up in 1974, supporting standardized practices and an end to paid donations.
June 14, 1972
Red Cross responds as Hurricane Agnes slams eastern United States.
April 29, 1975
Red Cross begins four-month Operation New Life for Vietnam refugees brought
to the United States.
February 25, 1977
President Jimmy Carter makes his 51st blood donation in bloodmobile at the
White House.
January 13, 1983
United States blood banking groups issue their first warning about Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
October 21, 1983
Board of Governors approves expansion of Red Cross bone marrow program that
leads to stem cell collection and distribution.
March 1985
Immediately after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licenses the first
test to detect the antibody to HIV on March 3rd, Red Cross Blood Services
regions begin testing all newly donated blood.
February 23, 1987
Red Cross opens its Holland Laboratory dedicated to biomedical research.
September 10, 1989
Red Cross begins relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Hugo.
October 17, 1989
Red Cross aids 14,000 families affected by the Loma Prieta earthquake in
Northern California.
September 24, 1990
Red Cross Holocaust and War Victims Tracing & Information Center opens in
Baltimore, Md.
February 4, 1991
Elizabeth Dole becomes first woman president of the Red Cross since Clara
Barton.
August 3, 1992
First National Testing Laboratory, applying standardized tests to ensure
safety of Red Cross blood products, opens in Dedham, Mass.
August 24, 1992
Hurricane Andrew blasts Florida and leads to multi-year Red Cross aid.
August 1, 1993
Record crest of Mississippi River occurs at St. Louis in worst Midwest
flooding to date. More than 14,500 people take refuge at 148 Red Cross shelters
in 10 states.
April 19, 1995
Red Cross aids victims of the Federal Building bombing in Oklahoma City.
October 9, 1996
Spurred by the disaster that befell TWA Flight 800 on July 17, 1996, Congress
passes Aviation Disaster Act that leads to creation of Red Cross Aviation
Incident Response (AIR) teams to assist victim families.
May 6, 1998
Red Cross creates post of Chief Diversity Officer to lead effort to ensure an
inclusive work environment and responsiveness to the needs of culturally diverse
communities.
November 16, 1998
Red Cross opens an Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES) Center with hi-tech
emergency communications service for military.
March 1, 1999
Red Cross initiates Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT), which provides early
detection of HIV and Hepatitis C in blood.
21st Century
September 11, 2001
Red Cross responds to terrorist attacks in New York, at the Pentagon
and outside the town of Shanksville in rural Pennsylvania.
October 3, 2001
Red Cross establishes the Liberty Fund for September 11th terrorism victims
and their families. Controversy over the original intent of the fund later leads
to the establishment of the Donor Direct fund raising policy, which stands for
D(onor) I(ntent) RE(cognition), C(onfirmation) and T(rust).
February 7, 2002
Red Cross joins other groups to launch Measles Initiative, five-year plan to
eradicate the disease in sub-Saharan Africa by immunizing children.
August 13, 2004
Hurricane Charley slams into Florida's Gulf Coast. It is followed by a
succession of hurricanes-Frances, Ivan and Jeanne-that call for a combined
response that is the largest in Red Cross history up to that point.
December 26, 2004
Magnitude 9.0 earthquake off west coast of Indonesia triggers massive tsunami
that brings death and destruction to 12 countries. American Red Cross joins
international relief effort.
August 25 - 29, 2005
Hurricane Katrina becomes one of the most destructive storms in the history
of the Gulf Coast, killing nearly 2,000 and leaving millions homeless. Red Cross
mobilizes its largest, single disaster relief effort to date. Two subsequent
hurricanes of significant strength hit, Rita and Wilma, compounding the
devastation and impacting relief operations.
May 2006
The American Red Cross commemorates 125 years of service both national and
international.
June 21, 2006
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies officially
admit the Magen David Adom (MDA) and the Palestine Red Crescent Society to the
Red Cross Movement as a result of American Red Cross advocacy to find a solution
to their decades-long exclusion.
January 2010
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake hits Haiti, leaving 1.5 million people homeless
and prompting one of the largest single-country responses in the history of the
global Red Cross and Red Crescent network. The public generously donates in
support of the relief efforts, including donating via text messages on mobile
phone, leading to a groundbreaking $32 million raised via SMS.
December 25, 1821
Clara Barton is born in New Oxford, Mass.
May 8, 1828
Henry Dunant, founder of Red Cross Movement, is born in Geneva, Switzerland.
June 24, 1859
Battle of Solferino in Northern Italy prompts Henry Dunant to call for an
international relief organization to bring aid to the war-injured.
April 20, 1861
Clara Barton, dubbed the "Angel of the Battlefield," begins aid to servicemen
in Civil War.
February 9, 1863
International Committee of the Red Cross is founded in Geneva, Switzerland.
April 20, 1865
After the war, Clara Barton was authorized by President Lincoln to open The Office
of Correspondence with Friends of the Missing Men of the United States Army to
identify the fate of missing soldiers for grieving parents, family and friends. In 1867,
when Barton closed the office, 63,183 letters had been answered and 22,000
missing men identified.
August 8, 1864
First Geneva Convention issued protecting the war wounded and identifying the
red cross on a white field as a neutral protective emblem.
May 21, 1881
Clara Barton and associates establish the American Red Cross.
August 22, 1881
First local chapter of the American Red Cross is formed in Dansville, N.Y.
September 4, 1881
Red Cross undertakes its first disaster relief effort aiding victims of
Michigan forest fires.
May 16, 1882
After years of relentless efforts by Clara Barton, the U.S. Senate ratifies
the Geneva Convention of 1864.
May 31, 1889
Red Cross responds to Johnstown, Pa., flood that kills over 2,000.
August 27, 1893
Clara Barton aids 30,000-mostly African-American-homeless victims of a
hurricane on the Sea Islands of South Carolina.
February 15, 1896
Clara Barton and associates arrive in Constantinople to begin five-month
campaign bringing relief to Armenian victims of Turkish oppression.
June 20, 1898
Clara Barton sails to Havana, Cuba, with supplies for victims of
Spanish-American War. First American Red Cross war-related assistance to U.S.
military.
20th Century
September 8, 1900
Clara Barton's last relief operation is on behalf of victims of the
devastating hurricane and tidal wave that hit Galveston, Texas.
December 10, 1901
Mabel T. Boardman elected to Red Cross governing board, beginning a lifelong
career of organizational leadership, particularly among volunteers.
January 5, 1905
The Red Cross received our first congressional charter in 1900 and a second
in 1905, the year after Barton resigned from the organization. The most recent
version of thecharter–which was adopted in
May, 2007 restates the traditional purposes of the organization which include
giving relief to and serving as a medium of communication between members of the
American armed forces and their families and providing national and
international disaster relief and mitigation.
April 18, 1906
Earthquake and fire ravage San Francisco; President Theodore Roosevelt calls
on the Red Cross to lead a major relief effort.
October 9, 1909
Major Charles Lynch appointed director of new Red Cross First Aid Department.
January 20, 1910
First meeting held to form American Red Cross Nursing Service is chaired by
Jane Delano, who becomes the Service's esteemed director.
November 5, 1910
Pullman Company donates first railroad car to Red Cross for use around the
country as a classroom for first aid instruction.
December 15, 1910
Thomas A. Edison Company releases "The Red Cross Seal," the first in a series
of public health films about the ravages of tuberculosis and Red Cross efforts
to prevent its spread.
March 25, 1911
Red Cross helps families of mostly young women who are victims of tragic
Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire in New York City.
February 6, 1912
Red Cross approves creation of a Rural Nursing Program.
April 12, 1912
Clara Barton dies at age 91 in her home in Glen Echo, Md., eight years after
her resignation from the Red Cross.
April 14, 1912
Red Cross comes to aid of those who survived the sinking of the Titanic.
March 19, 1913
President Woodrow Wilson named first honorary president of American Red
Cross, establishing a precedent for all chief executives who have followed.
February 1, 1914
Commodore Wilbert E. Longfellow, known as the "Amiable Whale," begins Red
Cross Water Safety program.
September 12, 1914
Red Cross "Mercy Ship" sails to Europe with medical staff and supplies
following outbreak of World War I.
July 24, 1915
S.S. Eastland, with 2,000 summer holiday-makers aboard, capsizes in the
Chicago River, causing over 800 deaths. Red Cross relief is immediate.
June 27, 1916
Home Service for the military begins its work with help to U.S. troops along
Mexican border of the during a series of raids on civilian towns.
May 10, 1917
President Woodrow Wilson appoints a War Council to guide operations of the
Red Cross during World War I.
May 12, 1917
Red Cross dedicates its headquarters building in Washington, D.C., as a
memorial to "the heroic women of the Civil War," both North and South.
May 25, 1917
Red Cross starts service to blinded war veterans in Baltimore, Md.
June 2, 1917
Red Cross Commission to Europe sets sail to alleviate wartime suffering.
June 17, 1917
Red Cross holds first War Fund drive, surpassing a goal of raising $100
million in one week.
August 30, 1917
Red Cross starts its Canteen Service to provide refreshments to the military.
September 15, 1917
President Woodrow Wilson calls on youth to join the newly formed Junior Red
Cross.
April 22, 1918
Red Cross introduces medical social work in servicemen's hospitals.
June 5, 1918
Red Cross begins Nurses' Aide program to make up for nurse shortages during
wartime.
July 2, 1918
Frances Reed Elliott is enrolled as the first African-American in the Red
Cross Nursing Service.
January 27, 1919
Red Cross reports 204 of its nurses have died combating worldwide Spanish
influenza pandemic. Red Cross recruited a total of 15,000 women, including
regularly enrolled nurses to respond to the deadly outbreak.
May 5, 1919
League of Red Cross Societies (now the International Federation of Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies) is formed in Paris, France.
May 17, 1919
Red Cross National Children's Fund is set up to aid youth in postwar Europe.
September 1, 1923
Red Cross aids thousands of earthquake and fire victims in Tokyo and
Yokohama, Japan.
April 21, 1927
After weeks of heavy rainfall, a major levee breaks along the Mississippi
River beginning a flood that would cover 27,000 square miles. Red Cross spends
months aiding the victims.
March 7, 1932
Red Cross begins distribution of government surplus wheat and cotton products
to victims of drought in the Dust Bowl, which covered more than five states
including Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.
May 15, 1940
Early blood processing program for relief of English war victims, called
Plasma for Britain, begins under direction of Dr. Charles R. Drew.
February 4, 1941
Red Cross begins National Blood Donor Service to collect blood for the U.S.
military with Dr. Charles R. Drew, formerly of the Plasma for Britain program,
as medical director.
June 1, 1941
Red Cross services to military unified as "Services to Armed Forces" (SAF).
November 3, 1941
Irving Berlin's "Angels of Mercy" becomes official Red Cross wartime song.
December 7, 1941
Moments after attack on Pearl Harbor, Red Cross volunteers go into action.
July 15, 1942
Red Cross convenes meeting with black leaders to encourage minority
participation in organization.
October 26, 1942
World War II Clubmobiles begin service in England.
November 9, 1942
Red Cross establishes a membership plan for units in U.S. colleges.
November 11, 1942
American Red Cross opens famous Rainbow Corner Club in London for servicemen.
November 28, 1942
Red Cross responds to fire at Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston, Mass., that
claims 494 lives.
May 1, 1943
Jesse Thomas is the first African-American to join the American Red Cross
executive staff.
March 20, 1945
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's last radio talk to nation is in support
of the Red Cross War Fund.
August 18, 1945
Red Cross ends its World War II blood program for the military after
collecting more than 13 million pints.
August 29, 1945
First Red Cross field director arrives in Japan after World War II to help
rebuild Japanese Red Cross.
June 8, 1947
In an effort to include more representation from the local chapters, the
Board of Governors replaces Central Committee as Red Cross governing body.
January 12, 1948
Red Cross begins its National Blood Program for civilians by opening its
first collection center in Rochester, N.Y.
October 1, 1949
George C. Marshall, World War II hero and creator of the "Marshall Plan" to
help Europe recover from war, becomes Red Cross president.
July 22, 1950
Red Cross becomes blood collection agency for military during Korean War.
August 5, 1953
Red Cross aids Operation Big Switch exchange of POWs at end of Korea War
hostilities.
October 1, 1953
Janet Wilson becomes first National Director of new Office of Volunteers that
brings workers together from different services under "one Red Cross."
April 4, 1955
The Red Cross liberalizes fundraising policy to allow chapters to participate
in federated campaigns, such as the Community Chest, a forerunner of the United
Way.
July 14, 1955
United States ratifies the Geneva Conventions of 1949 that still apply today.
December 5, 1962
Red Cross begins collecting medicines and food for Cuba in exchange for
release of Bay of Pigs POWs.
March 27, 1964
Red Cross aids victims of massive earthquake that hits Anchorage, Alaska.
October 8, 1965
Red Cross Movement adopts its Seven Fundamental Principles: Humanity,
Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and
Universality.
October 30, 1967
Board of Governors receives report that National Headquarters will host a
national Rare Blood Donor Registry for blood types occurring less than once in
200 people.
February 14, 1972
Red Cross calls for national blood policy, which the federal government sets
up in 1974, supporting standardized practices and an end to paid donations.
June 14, 1972
Red Cross responds as Hurricane Agnes slams eastern United States.
April 29, 1975
Red Cross begins four-month Operation New Life for Vietnam refugees brought
to the United States.
February 25, 1977
President Jimmy Carter makes his 51st blood donation in bloodmobile at the
White House.
January 13, 1983
United States blood banking groups issue their first warning about Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
October 21, 1983
Board of Governors approves expansion of Red Cross bone marrow program that
leads to stem cell collection and distribution.
March 1985
Immediately after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licenses the first
test to detect the antibody to HIV on March 3rd, Red Cross Blood Services
regions begin testing all newly donated blood.
February 23, 1987
Red Cross opens its Holland Laboratory dedicated to biomedical research.
September 10, 1989
Red Cross begins relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Hugo.
October 17, 1989
Red Cross aids 14,000 families affected by the Loma Prieta earthquake in
Northern California.
September 24, 1990
Red Cross Holocaust and War Victims Tracing & Information Center opens in
Baltimore, Md.
February 4, 1991
Elizabeth Dole becomes first woman president of the Red Cross since Clara
Barton.
August 3, 1992
First National Testing Laboratory, applying standardized tests to ensure
safety of Red Cross blood products, opens in Dedham, Mass.
August 24, 1992
Hurricane Andrew blasts Florida and leads to multi-year Red Cross aid.
August 1, 1993
Record crest of Mississippi River occurs at St. Louis in worst Midwest
flooding to date. More than 14,500 people take refuge at 148 Red Cross shelters
in 10 states.
April 19, 1995
Red Cross aids victims of the Federal Building bombing in Oklahoma City.
October 9, 1996
Spurred by the disaster that befell TWA Flight 800 on July 17, 1996, Congress
passes Aviation Disaster Act that leads to creation of Red Cross Aviation
Incident Response (AIR) teams to assist victim families.
May 6, 1998
Red Cross creates post of Chief Diversity Officer to lead effort to ensure an
inclusive work environment and responsiveness to the needs of culturally diverse
communities.
November 16, 1998
Red Cross opens an Armed Forces Emergency Services (AFES) Center with hi-tech
emergency communications service for military.
March 1, 1999
Red Cross initiates Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT), which provides early
detection of HIV and Hepatitis C in blood.
21st Century
September 11, 2001
Red Cross responds to terrorist attacks in New York, at the Pentagon
and outside the town of Shanksville in rural Pennsylvania.
October 3, 2001
Red Cross establishes the Liberty Fund for September 11th terrorism victims
and their families. Controversy over the original intent of the fund later leads
to the establishment of the Donor Direct fund raising policy, which stands for
D(onor) I(ntent) RE(cognition), C(onfirmation) and T(rust).
February 7, 2002
Red Cross joins other groups to launch Measles Initiative, five-year plan to
eradicate the disease in sub-Saharan Africa by immunizing children.
August 13, 2004
Hurricane Charley slams into Florida's Gulf Coast. It is followed by a
succession of hurricanes-Frances, Ivan and Jeanne-that call for a combined
response that is the largest in Red Cross history up to that point.
December 26, 2004
Magnitude 9.0 earthquake off west coast of Indonesia triggers massive tsunami
that brings death and destruction to 12 countries. American Red Cross joins
international relief effort.
August 25 - 29, 2005
Hurricane Katrina becomes one of the most destructive storms in the history
of the Gulf Coast, killing nearly 2,000 and leaving millions homeless. Red Cross
mobilizes its largest, single disaster relief effort to date. Two subsequent
hurricanes of significant strength hit, Rita and Wilma, compounding the
devastation and impacting relief operations.
May 2006
The American Red Cross commemorates 125 years of service both national and
international.
June 21, 2006
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies officially
admit the Magen David Adom (MDA) and the Palestine Red Crescent Society to the
Red Cross Movement as a result of American Red Cross advocacy to find a solution
to their decades-long exclusion.
January 2010
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake hits Haiti, leaving 1.5 million people homeless
and prompting one of the largest single-country responses in the history of the
global Red Cross and Red Crescent network. The public generously donates in
support of the relief efforts, including donating via text messages on mobile
phone, leading to a groundbreaking $32 million raised via SMS.