Thursday, May 8, 2014

World Red Cross Day 2014

  1. It is an annual celebration every 8th of May.
  2. The first Red Cross Day celebration was on 8 May 1948.
  3. Coincidentally, the official title of the celebration became World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day in 8 May 1948.
  4. It is the birth anniversary of the founder of International Committee of the Red Cross, Jean Henri Dunant who was born on 8 May 1828.
  5. Jean Henri Dunant who is also known as Henry Dunant and considered the Father of the Red Cross, was also the first Nobel Peace Prize recipient together with Frédéric Passy.
  6. It was after witnessing the aftermath of the Battle of Solferino (present-day Lombardy) in Italy that he was able to published his book "A Memory of Solferino" which tells about his memories and experiences.
  7. The book "A Memory of Solferino" inspired the creation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1863.
  8. The First Geneva Convention held on 22 August 1864 in Geneva, Switzerland which was based on Dunant's ideas.
  9. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement are composed of several distinct organizations, namely: 1) International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); 2) International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); and 3) National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
  10. There are 3 official emblems in use namely: 1) The Red Cross; 2) The Red Crescent; and 3) The Red Crystal; 1 disused emblem which is The Red Lion and Sun; and 1 unrecognized emblem which is The Red Star of David (Magen David Adom).
  11. There are 189 officially recognized National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and 6 non-member but recognized societies of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
  12. The theme for 2014 is “Together for Humanity” relating to the power of partnerships among several organizations while facing growing humanitarian challenges.
Red Cross and Red Crescent Emblems. Photo by w:User:Julius.kusuma

References:

About the International Committee of the Red Cross
International Committee of the Red Cross
The Formation of the IFRC
List of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
History of the ICRC
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
Red Cross: Together for humanity

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