American Red Cross armband

White arm band with ties, 'American Red Cross VOLUNTEER' in black and red cross

The American Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton (1821-1912) on 21 May 1881. Clara was inspired by the Red Cross in Europe and her time collecting medical supplies and setting up the Office for Missing Soldiers following the American Civil War (1861-1865).

The red cross symbol was first adopted under the Geneva Convention of 1864. It reverses the colour of the Swiss national flag of a white cross on a red background. Those wearing the red cross, crescent or crystal are protected under international law and symbolises they are there to give help. The Geneva Convention forms the basis of how soldiers and civilians should be treated during wartime.