How the International Red Cross Was Formed

Until the middle of the 19th century, there was no system organised for the care of war victims or wounded on the battlefield.

In June 1859, Swiss businessman Henry Dunant traveled to Italy, then occupied by France. When he arrived in the town of Solferino, he saw the consequences of a Franco-austrian battle, where on a single day, about 400,000 soldiers on both sides were killed or wounded and troops left in the field without care or assistance.

Dunant completely abandoned the original purpose of his trip, and for several days he devoted himself to organizing treatment and care for the wounded.

When he returned to his home in Geneva, he decided to write the book “The memory of Solferino” and sent copies of the book to key political and military figures throughout Europe.

Thus spread the idea of the creation of the International Red Cross, which was founded on this day 156 years ago.