05/21/2026
The Beginning of the Red Cross — From Solferino to Gage County
A Global Idea Is Born (1859–1864)
The Red Cross began with one man who refused to look away.
In 1859, Swiss businessman Henry Dunant witnessed the aftermath of the Battle of Solferino, where tens of thousands of wounded soldiers lay without care. Local villagers rushed to help, repeating a simple phrase that became the heart of a movement:
“Tutti fratelli” — “We are all brothers.”
Dunant carried that moment home. His book, A Memory of Solferino (1862), urged nations to create volunteer relief societies to care for the wounded, no matter their uniform.
His call sparked action.
In 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross was formed in Geneva.
In 1864, the First Geneva Convention established protections for the wounded and for medical workers on the battlefield.
A new humanitarian movement had begun.
⭐ The American Red Cross (1881)
Inspired by Dunant’s vision, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in 1881.
Her leadership expanded the mission beyond wartime relief to include disaster response, public health, and community support — the same services that would eventually reach Gage County.
⭐ The Red Cross Comes to Gage County
By the early 20th century, the Red Cross had become a familiar symbol of hope across the United States — and Gage County was no exception.
During World War I, local volunteers organized sewing circles, rolled bandages, knitted socks, and prepared comfort kits for soldiers overseas. Membership drives filled the pages of the Beatrice Daily Sun, and schoolchildren proudly earned Junior Red Cross badges.
By World War II, the Gage County Chapter was a bustling hub of service:
Collecting scrap metal and rubber
Hosting blood drives
Supporting military families
Training volunteers in first aid and home nursing
The same spirit that moved villagers in Solferino — “We are all brothers” — lived on in the hands of Gage County residents who gave their time, skill, and compassion.
⭐ Why This Story Matters
The Red Cross began with a simple idea: ordinary people can ease extraordinary suffering.
From a battlefield in Italy to the heart of Nebraska, that idea has shaped generations of volunteers who continue to serve their neighbors in times of need.
The Red Cross story starts in Solferino… and continues in Gage County.
Come see our Red Cross exhibit and our summer exhibit — both on view starting this Saturday, May 23, 2026.
History is waiting for you at the Gage County Museum.
