National American Red Cross Founder’s Day for the year 2024 is celebrated/observed on Sunday, May 21st. There are until the next observance.

Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross 140 years ago, and it has been a huge source of help since then. National American Red Cross Founder’s Day is commemorated each year on May 21 in her honor and the history of the organization. We don’t know who created this holiday, but we are all in favor of marking this important occasion.

📆 When is National American Red Cross Founder’s Day?

This year, National American Red Cross Founder’s Day is on May 21st. It is the 3rd Sunday in May; in 2024, it is on Tuesday.

Countdown to National American Red Cross Founder’s Day

Did you know: According to its website, the American Red Cross runs over 500 blood drives every day, collecting approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells.

You can also explore all fun things you didn’t know about and facts about May 21, 2023.

📜 History of National American Red Cross Founder’s Day

The American Red Cross is the American branch or national organization of a worldwide humanitarian relief initiative and a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Clara, whose full name was Clarissa Harlowe Barton, started the American Red Cross. Its headquarters are in Washington, D.C., and it is run by volunteers.

Clara Barton, like the majority of women during the American Civil War, cared for the injured on the front lines, earning the moniker “Angel of the Battlefield.” After the conflict, Barton visited Europe and volunteered with the International Red Cross from 1870 to 1871 for the Franco-Prussian War. She was adamant that when she got back to the U.S., her nation would join the international Red Cross network. She established the American Red Cross by calling on her powerful acquaintances and connections, including Frederick Douglass, an American statesman, orator, writer, and advocate for social reform. She served as this organization’s president up until her retirement.

☑️ National American Red Cross Founder’s Day facts

They install smoke alarms in houses
According to the Red Cross website, most of the disasters they help with are house fires. This is why they have a program to install free smoke alarms and teach people about how to stay safe around fires.

Clara Barton was a teacher too!
She began teaching at the age of 17 and founded New Jersey’s first free public school in 1852.

First women to work for the federal government
Clara Barton worked as a recording clerk in the United States Patent Office soon before the Civil War.

Things to do on National American Red Cross Founder’s Day

Learn more about the American Red Cross and its founder
This day serves as a particular remembrance of Clara Barton’s efforts, as well as those of every Red Cross volunteer around the country. Learn more about National American Red Cross Founder’s Day, the great founder herself, and the organization’s history of giving help throughout the United States.

Discover how the Red Cross has impacted your community
Has your community been through a calamitous event? Find out if the Red Cross was involved in disaster relief and helped. Visit their website or read “A Story of the Red Cross” by Clara Barton, “Clara Barton” by Elizabeth Brown Pryor, or “Blood, Sweat, and Tears: An Oral History of the American Red Cross” by Michele Turk to discover more about their history.

Volunteer at the Red Cross
Every day, Red Cross volunteers go above and beyond to support the community, from organizing blood drives to gathering emergency aid supplies from the general public. On their website, you may learn about the different ways you can help the Red Cross.

📅 National American Red Cross Founder’s Day Observances

YEAR DATE DAY
2023 May 21 Sunday
2024 May 21 Tuesday
2025 May 21 Wednesday
2026 May 21 Thursday
2027 May 21 Friday

Explore all May holidays, including Health and other Appreciation holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and cool facts about National American Red Cross Founder’s Day. So be sure to check back soon.