Red Crescent History
For more than one hundred years, in all continents and practically every country in the world, during war time or in peace, the Red Cross has groups of millions of goodwill people.
Red Cross was born in June on the Battlefield of Solferino in Northern Italy in the mind and heart of a young man named Jean-Henry Dunant. 
Jean-Henry Dunant was born in Geneva in 1828. He was by profession a Swiss Banker. In 1859 in the course of business he happened to witness the Battle of Solferino during Franco-Prussian War. The appalling slaughter, the suffering and anguish of the wounded and, maimed and the sorry plight of prisoners moved Dunant deeply. He wrote a book in 1862 titled, "A memory of Solferino". Describing his ideas of a Society of each nation to aid the wounded and in case of conflict of arms, to help the military medical services with their task. Henry Dunant's visionary idea based on his concept of Brotherhood of Man led to the formation of a committee of five in Geneva in February 1863. This committee which included Dunant, examined his idea and formulated the basis for calling the first international conference of the Red Cross in 1863 in Geneva.
The meeting was attended by representatives from 16 states who agreed that as a first step, private aid Societies linked with one another should be set up in each state.
In August 1864 diplomatic representatives from 17 nations met again in Geneva, this time at the invitation of the Swiss Federal Government, agreed on the first Geneva convention, which 12 of the nations signed outright.
By this famous convention, they were incorporated into international law the principles and precepts underlying Dunant's ideas. The principles were recognised that it is the duty of warring nations to care for the ill and wounded military personnel irrespective of nationality and that these personnel, the ambulances and hospitals in which they lay, and the medical and auxiliary staff tending them should be regarded as neutral under all circumstances and at all times. This has become one of the great and respected principles of modern Humanitarianism.
In recognition of the home land of these humanitarian ideas the new movement took as the emblem of its neutrality the national emblem of Switzerland in reverse a Red Cross on a white background. Today this emblem carries instant recognition all over the world.
Dunant died in 1911 - buried in an ordinary ceremony - seemingly forgotten but the fruit of his labour has neither been in vain nor forgotten.
The Red Cross/Red Crescent is for the people a light in the darkness, we owe a debt of gratitude to the pioneers who lit up this beacon. It is the duty of every Red Cross/Red Crescent member to see that this light does not go out.
Now every year on May 8, the Malaysian Red Crescent Society will join with other national Red Cross Societies throughout the world in commemorating World Red Cross Day. The day that marks the birthday of a man who was most instrumental in founding this international chain of Red Cross Society.
Birth of Movement
Alleviating suffering, in war and in peace
The vision of humane society caring for in need, regardless of race, colour of creed first took form in the mind of Henri Dunant more than 125 years ago. Dunant was 31 when he came upon the scene of a great battle while travelling through Italy. It was the battle of Solferino. The Slaughter, the suffering and anguish of the wounded and maimed, the sorry plight of prisoners of war moved Dunant deeply. Finding a lack of medical assistance, he set to work with the help of village women and children. Some, when faced with wounded enemy soldiers, were reluctant to help. But Dunant implored them, saying in Italian "tutti fratteli", which means "all men are brothers". Three years later, Dunant published his famous book "A Memory of Solferino". In this, he asked if it was not possible to form a voluntary society to care for the victims of war.
His idea spread throughout Europe and quickly gained the support of some prominent Swiss citizens. This was the famous "Committee of Five", the founders of the Red Cross who later formed the International Committee of the Red Cross. Although the Red Cross was born out of the anguish and suffering of war, it was soon realised that such a movement could also play an equally important role in times of peace.
Serving around the world
Soon after World War 1, the league of Red Cross Societies was formed in Paris to assist in the improvement of health, prevention of disease, and relief from suffering in peace and in war.Today, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement is at work in 149 countries. The emblem of the Red Cross and Red Crescent is universally recognised as a pledge of neutrality and impartiality. More important, it stands as a beacon of hope and solace in times of unrest, disaster and emergencies. That it has come to mean as such is not by chance. It owes itself to the great humanitarian spirit of Henri Dunant and the millions of people around the world who believe in it.
