World Red Cross Day and World Red Crescent Day is celebrated on 8th May of every year. World Red Cross Day is an annual celebration of the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The day marks the anniversary of the birth of Henry Dunant, the founder of ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross), and the winner of the first Nobel Peace Prize, who born on 8th May 1828. The day is dedicated to paying tribute to the volunteers for their fantastic contribution to the people in need.
History of World Red Cross Day
After World War I the idea of “annual action could take hold in the whole world, but it would be a significant contribution to peace” was introduced and evolved out of the “Red Cross Truce, an initiative that was examined by an international commission established at 14th International Conference of the Red Cross.
The results were granted at the 15th International Conference in Tokyo in 1934; then it was confirmed and having considered the principles of the truce. Its applicability across various regions of the world, the General Assembly of the IFRC (International Federation of the Red Cross Societies) asked the LORCS (League of the Red Cross Societies) to consider the feasibility of adopting the first World Red Cross Day.
After two years, the proposal was approved and the first Red Cross Day was organized on 8th May 1948. The standard title of the day has changed over time, and it became “World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day” in 1984.
Source: Text: RajKumar, Apr 10, 2017 | World Red Cross DayWorld Image: Red Cross Day