Born on May 8
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
Thank the volunteers who come when called.
Next: May 8, 2027
Where it comes from
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day falls on 8 May, the birthday of Henry Dunant, born in Geneva in 1828. In 1859 Dunant saw the wounded of the Battle of Solferino left without care; he organised local people to help them, then wrote A Memory of Solferino, calling for volunteer relief societies in every country.
How it's celebrated
Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, present in nearly every country, use the day to thank their volunteers, welcome new ones and remind people of the movement's principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality. It is a good day to learn first aid, give blood, or simply thank a volunteer.
Did you know
Dunant shared the very first Nobel Peace Prize, in 1901, with the French peace campaigner Frédéric Passy.
Read the full story of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
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