A Brief History Of The Red Cross

Today, the Red Cross and Red Crescent are known around the world. With nearly 100 million volunteers worldwide, a network of national and local organisations that provide help to those in need, the movement is now a household name. Join us in looking back at the very Swiss foundations of the Red Cross.

Solferino

The International Committee of the Red Cross was founded in 1863 by Henry Dunant and Gustave Moynier, but the idea came to Dunant four years earlier.

At that time, young Jean-Henry Dunant, a Swiss businessman, was travelling to Italy in search of Napoleon III, the French emperor. He didn’t envisage any grand humanitarian venture at the time; his intentions were purely business-related, and he hoped to be able to ease access to Algeria. But along the way, he stopped at the town of Solferino, which had just witnessed a vicious battle between Austrian and Sardinian forces.

This idea, borne out of the suffering Dunant had witnessed in Italy, laid the first foundation stones of what would become the International Committee of the Red Cross. A momentous moment soon followed in 1864 with the adoption of the Geneva Convention, when 12 European states signed onto the Convention, agreeing to neutrality and protection for wounded soldiers in battle.

Despite Dunant’s troubles – he declared bankruptcy in 1867 – the momentum he had built could not be so easily halted. National societies based on his own in Switzerland popped up across Europe. By 1881, the idea had spread across the Atlantic to the USA with the founding of the American Red Cross.

An ICRC delegate visits Prisoners of War

In recognition of his efforts, Dunant was jointly awarded the very first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901.

Since those days, the ICRC and the national societies have provided relief to those who have served in war and suffered from it. During WWI and WWII, prisoners of war camps were monitored, with assistance given where possible. Seven million prisoner of war, or missing person, cards were gathered during WWI and 45 million during WWII.

You can learn more about the history of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in Geneva at the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.