| GIRL SCOUT HISTORY TIMELINE 1860-2002 | ||
| Oct. 31, 1860 - Birth of Juliette Gordon December 12, 1886 - Juliette Gordon Marries William Mackay Low 1910 - Girl Guide movement begins in England 1911 - Juliette meets Sir Robert Baden-Powell, founder of Boy Scouts in England, and his sister, Agnes Baden-Powell founder of Girl Guides in England. Juliette starts a Girl Guide company (troop) in the Scottish valley where she is spending the summer 1912 - March 12, Juliette Gordon Low establishes the first Girl Guide troop in the U.S. with 18 girls Margaret Daisy Gordon, Juliette's niece, becomes the first registered Girl Guide in America. 108 girls enrolled as members following the first troop meeting The Tenderfoot Pin, (the trefoil), is chosen as the symbol to be used by Girl Guides Camp Juliette Low is established in Georgia - only camp personally established by Juliette Low Thanks Badge, an adult award, is introduced. 1913 - Girl Scouts becomes the new name for Girl Guides in America W.J. Hoxie prepares the first official G.S. handbook, "How Girls Can Help Their Country" June 1, National Headquarters established in Washington, D.C. 1914 - Trefoil design for membership badges is patented and becomes the official membership symbol. By now, 22 proficiency badges are in existence 1915 - Girl Scout membership reached 200 troops, 5,000 girls Juliette Low sells her pearls to support the Girl Scout Movement A Constitution and Bylaws are adopted at the First National Convention held in Washington, DC Juliette Gordon Low is elected National President of the Girl Scouts, 1915-1920 National membership dues of 25 cents adopted 1916 - G.S. national headquarters is moved to New York City Juliette Gordon Low introduced the Golden Eaglet of Merit Award - the highest award for girls in Girl Scouting The first Brownie-age troop is organized in Marblehead, Massachusetts 1917 - Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, the country's First Lady, becomes the first honorary president of Girl Scouts, a tradition that continues today Editorial Department is established at National Headquarters The first issue of The Rally, a monthly publication for girls and leaders begins First troop of physically disabled girls in the United States is organized in New York City The first National Training School for Girl Scout leaders is established in Boston 1918 - Design of the Girl Scout Pin to include the letters "GS" 1919 - Concept of an International Council of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts began Taps introduced at the First International Conference in Oxford England The Golden Eaglet Award replaces the Golden Eaglet of Merit Award (they were different) The Golden Eaglet, a black-and-white silent film, premiered in New York City's Fine Arts Theater on January 16th. Believed to be the first motion picture produced by a public service organization First nationwide celebration of Girl Scout Week; the week beginning on the Sunday that included JGL's birthday, October 31. First Blue Book of Rules published 1920 - At this time there are nearly 100 Girl Scout Councils in 11 states and the territory of Hawaii, with almost 70,000 girl members and over 3,000 troops Juliette Low retires as President of Girl Scouts and takes the title "Founder of Girl Scouts" October 31 becomes known as Founders Day in Girl Scouts First International Conference of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts held in England The U.S.A. introduced the song "Taps" to the Girl Guide and Girl Scout movement Scouting for Girls, new handbook is published. This was the first handbook prepared by the national organization rather than by Juliette Low. It included sections on map making, sewing an American flag, and marching according to U.S. Infantry drill regulations. American Girl magazine is published, titled changed from The Rally Camp Andree Clark established as the first national Girl Scout camp, Briar Cliff Manor, NY 1922 - Field News, a monthly bulletin for Girl Scout leaders, began publication 1923 - The name Field News changes to The Girl Scout Leader Formal training is made a requirement for leaders Design of the Girl Scout pin changed - the eagle's shield now had seven stars, placed in two rows and seven stripes 1924 - Nov. 6 - Norman Rockwell draws Girl Scout cover for Life Magazine International Conference of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts held in England 1926 - Camp Edith Macy at Briar Cliff Manor, NY is opened as a national training center Fourth International Conference held at Camp Edith Macy with representatives from 29 countries Program to include Brownie Girl Scouts, ages 7-9 Brown Book for Brown Owls published as the first official leader's guide to program for USA Brownie Girl Scouts 1927 - First group of U.S. Girl Scouts goes to an international event in Switzerland Juliette Gordon Low dies Juliette Low Memorial Fund is established in her memory to support projects and events promoting international understanding Girl Scout handbook is revised First United States Girl Scout Troops on Foreign Soil are registered First celebration of Thinking Day, February 22 1928 - International Council is replaced by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) is formed 1929 - At the end of the year there are over 200,000 Girl Scouts 1930 - World Flag design is adopted First all-Native American Girl Scout troop registers at the Indian Boarding School in Pawnee, Oklahoma 1932 - March 12 is designated as the official Girl Scouts birthday Our Chalet opened in Adelboden, Switzerland, a gift of Mrs. Helen Storrow of Boston 1933 - The Girl Scout handbook is transcribed in large type 1934 - Mariner Scout program officially launched The first documented council-wide cookie sale of commercially baked cookies, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1936 - First nationally franchised Girl Scout cookie sale 1937 - 25th anniversary of Girl Scouting in the United States National and International Silver Jubilee encampment held at Camp Andree Clark; 100 girls from the USA and 26 other countries came together to celebrate 1938 - Girl Scout membership reached one half million Girl Scout program reorganized into three separate groups: Brownie Girl Scouts, ages 7-9, Intermediate Girl Scouts, ages 10-13 and Senior Girl Scouts ages 14-17 Over 1 million boxes of Girl Scout cookies are sold 1939 - The Girl Scout Chalet, a replica in miniature of Our Chalet in Switzerland, opened at the New York World's Fair. Served as a headquarters for Girl Scouts and their friends. Displayed and sold Girl Scout Equipment Our Ark opens in London, England Over 2 million boxes of Girl Scout cookies are sold 1940 - Curved Bar award introduced. The Curved Bar was the highest award in Girl Scouting from 1940 until 1963. Open only to First Class Girl Scouts, it served as a bridge to Senior Girl Scouting. The embroidered arc patch was used at first because of metal shortage during the war. The Curved Bar pin, introduced in the fall of 1947, was used until 1963, when the award was discontinued. First Girl Scout troops for mentally and socially handicapped girls are registered (in institutions) 1941 - Wing Scout program developed for Senior Girl Scouts - emphasis on the study of flying and aviation 1943 - First Girl Scout calendar is produced for council fund raisers "A Million or more by 44" was the membership objective 1944 - Girl Scout check for 15,430,000 hours of service given to FDR Senior Girl Planning Conference held at Camp Edith Macy 1 million members register in Girl Scouts A Liberty Ship, "S.S. Juliette Low" of the Merchant Marines is launched More than 1/4 million girls go to Girl Scout camps 1945 - First Lou Henry Hoover Memorial Forest is dedicated 1946 - The World Badge adopted at the 11th World Conference in France 1947 - The name of the organization officially changes to Girl Scouts of the United States of America 1948 - The U.S. Postal Service issues a 3 cent commemorative stamp honoring Juliette Gordon Low. 750,000 stamps are sold in Savannah on the first day of issue Design of the World Badge was adopted at the 12th World Conference in Cooperstown, NY 1949 - WAGGGS Pin introduced in the USA Almost 1.5 million are registered in Girl Scouts 1950 - GSUSA is re-incorporated under a Congressional Charter 1951 - First Brownie Girl Scout Handbook for girls is published North Atlantic Girl Scouts (NORAGS) established 1952 - Rockwood, in Potomac, Maryland dedicated as a National Girl Scout camping center (1952-1979) 1953 - GSUSA purchases Juliette Gordon Low's birthplace in Savannah, Georgia Site of Our Cabana is acquired by WAGGGS Annual Girl Scout week celebration is changed from October to March 1956 - Juliette Gordon Low's birthplace is dedicated, October 19 First Senior Girl Scout Round-Up in Michigan: 5,000 girls attended 1957 - 3 million members in Girl Scouts The first world center for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in the Western Hemisphere , Our Cabana, opens in Cuernavaca, Mexico 1958 - The Girl Scout headquarters in New York City are dedicated (not the present headquarters) 1959 - Our Ark moved to Earls Court, London, England 2nd Senior Roundup near Colorado Springs with 10,000 people in attendance 1960 - Juliette Low Centennial is celebrated 1962 - 50th anniversary of Girl Scouts The Girl Scout Rose and Brownie Girl Scout Marigold developed to honor Girl Scouts Post Office issues a 4 cent commemorative Girl Scout stamp 3rd Roundup for Senior Girl Scouts is held in Vermont, 10,000 people attending 1963 - Girl Scouts are divided into 4 age groups: Brownie Girl Scouts, ages 7-9 Junior Girl Scouts, ages 9-11 Cadette Girl Scouts, ages 12-14 Senior Girl Scouts, ages 14-17 Under the new program introduced in 1963, the old Intermediate Girl Scout badges were divided into two groups to fit the interests and abilities of Junior and Cadette Girl Scouts. Junior Girl Scout badges (green borders) were aimed at exploration, rather than concentration on any given skill. Cadette Girl Scout badges (yellow borders) emphasized intensive work in particular areas of specialization. New handbooks and leaders' guides are published Junior program to include the Sign of the Arrow and the Sign of the Star Our Ark is renamed Olave House First Class was the highest award in Girl Scouting from 1963 - 1980. To receive the award, a Cadette Girl Scout had to earn several badges and meet four challenges, each of which was recognized with a pin. A challenge was a selected real-life situation designed to test a girl's ability to use knowledge and skill based on Girl Scout ideals and values
1964 - First Reader's Digest Foundation Grants are provided for Senior Girl Scout troops to do community service projects Girl Scout handbook is published in Braille Ryukyu Islands Girl Scout stamp was released to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Ryukyuan Girls Scouts. The Ryukyuan Girl Scouts were united with Japanese organization after return of the islands in 1972. 1965 - Brownie handbook is published in Spanish 4th Senior Roundup at Farragut, Idaho 1966 - Sangam, the fourth World Center, opens in Poona, India 1968 - Campus Girl Scouts becomes an official part of Girl Scouts National Center West, Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming is established 1969 - Eco Action, a nationwide environmental education and improvement project is launched 1970 - 30 millionth member of GSUSA is registered 1972 - New wording of Girl Scout Promise and Law are adopted Eight new Cadette Challenges are introduced 1973 - Portrait of Juliette Low is presented to the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. Brownie membership is extended to 6 year olds Brownie B's introduced 1974 - Bust of Juliette Low is placed in Georgia's Hall of Fame 1975 - Over 123 million boxes of Girl Scout cookies are sold 1976 - More that 150 Girl Scouts, 14-17 are delegates to the National Convention Edith Macy National Center celebrates 50th anniversary 1977 - Worlds to Explore: Handbook for Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts is published The Five Worlds of Interest in Girl Scouting are introduced Junior Aide patch and Bridge to Juniors are introduced 1978 - Contemporary version of Girl Scout trefoil is launched as the official emblem featuring three-profile silhouettes of girls' faces From Dreams to Reality, a career exploration project for Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts is published Girl Scouts prepare to celebrate the UN's 'Year of the Child' 1979 - Juliette Low is inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, NY American Girl magazine ceases publication 1980 - The Silver Award and the Gold Award becomes the second highest and highest awards in Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts Sign of the Rainbow, Sign of the Star, Sign of the Satellite and Bridge to Cadettes introduced into the Junior Girl Scout program 1982 - Girl Scouts celebrate 70th anniversary Edith Macy Conference Center dedicated April 22 is established as Girl Scout Leader Day Lifetime memberships are offered to adults for the first time 1983 - The Juliette Gordon Low Federal Complex is opened in Savannah, Georgia. This is the second Federal building to be named after a woman. 1984 - Daisy Girl Scout age level program for 5 year olds or girls in kindergarten is launched Delegates vote to change the wording of the Girl Scout Promise 1985 - Contemporary issues resource, Tune Into Well-Being, Say No To Drugs introduced 1986 - Brownie Girl Scout Try-Its are introduced Contemporary issues resource, Staying Safe, Preventing Child Abuse introduced The Sign of the World introduced into the Junior program 1987 - Girl Scout 75th anniversary celebrated; theme, Tradition with a Future The Post Office issues a stamp to commemorate GSUSA 1989 - The National Historic Preservation Center opens at National Headquarters 1991 - Earth Education programs introduced 1992 - Pilot program began at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women for the Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program 1996 - New wording for Girl Scout law is adopted New, separate handbooks for Cadettes and Seniors are published 1997 - 85th anniversary of Girl Scouts Girl Scouts from all across the United States meet on the mall in Washington, DC, to sing songs in honor of 85th anniversary New interest project book for Cadettes and Seniors is published, stressing community service and career exploration in every badge Girl Scouts continues to be the largest voluntary organization for girls in the world 1998 - Post Office issues a stamp honoring Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts Over 2.5 million girls and 800,000 adult members 1999 - Thursday March 11, 1999, a new honorary troop is formed consisting of women members of Congress. The event "celebrated the fact that two-thirds of all the female members of Congress serving today are former Girl Scouts." 2000 - Daisy Program Revised, petals introduced Brownie Program Revised 2001 - Junior Program Revised Bronze Award for Junior Girl Scouts introduced, the highest award for Junior Girl Scouts Independent Girl Scout are now called "Juliettes" Cadette/Senior uniforms change from royal blue to khaki, light blue blouse for Cadettes, navy blue blouse for Seniors 2002 - 90th Anniversary of Girl Scouts updated by Katie Baron |
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