Boy Scouts of America Historical Highlights
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==1920s== | ==1920s== | ||
;1920 | ;1920 | ||
| - | * The | + | * The first [[World Jamboree]] is held in England; Boy Scouts from 32 of 52 countries are present. The Boy Scouts of America sends 301 members. |
;1924 | ;1924 | ||
* The Every Scout a Swimmer program is inaugurated. | * The Every Scout a Swimmer program is inaugurated. | ||
| Line 239: | Line 239: | ||
;2013 | ;2013 | ||
* [[2013 National Scout Jamboree]] is to be held. First national jamboree to be held at [[The Summit Bechtel Reserve]]. | * [[2013 National Scout Jamboree]] is to be held. First national jamboree to be held at [[The Summit Bechtel Reserve]]. | ||
| + | ;2015 | ||
| + | * The Order of the Arrow will celebrate its 100th year anniversary. | ||
| + | ;2019 | ||
| + | * The twenty-fourth World Scout Jamboree is to be held at the Summit Bechtel Reserve. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Current revision
'MeritBadge.Org offers a variety of history-related content:
- Boy Scouts of America Historical Highlights - Key events for the BSA and famous Scouts.
- Cub Scout Program offers a more detailed history of Cub Scouts.
- First Class-First Year - history of tenure requirements for First Class and Eagle.
- Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project - including it's inception in 1965.
- Boy Scout Handbook includes the history of the handbook.
- American Heritage Merit Badge - sometimes refered to as the History Merit Badge
- Adapted from Boy Scouts of America Historical Highlights
Overview of early history
- 1910 The Boy Scouts of America is incorporated on February 8.
- 1911 The first Handbook for Boys is published.
- 1912 The first Eagle Scout Award.
- Sea Scouting for older Scouts starts.
- Boys' Life is purchased to become an official BSA magazine.
- 1915 The Order of the Arrow (OA) is founded.
- 1916 Congress grants the Boy Scouts of America a federal charter.
- 1920 The First World Jamboree is held in England; Boy Scouts from 32 of 52 countries are present. The Boy Scouts of America sends 301 members.
- 1930 The Cub Scout program is formally launched. There are 5,102 Cub Scouts at the end of 1930.
- 1938 Waite Phillips donates Philturn Rockymountain Scoutcamp (later to become Philmont Scout Ranch.
- 1941 Webelos rank created for 11-year-old boys.
- 1965 Eagle Scout Service Project requirement added to Eagle Scout Rank
1910s
- 1910
- The Boy Scouts of America is incorporated on February 8 in the District of Columbia by W. D. Boyce. Founding members include: Daniel Carter Beard, Ernest Thompson Seton, and James E. West.
- 1911
- The first edition of the Handbook for Boys is published. Some 300,000 copies are printed.
- The National Council office is established at 200 Fifth Avenue in New York City on January 2, 1911, with seven employees.
- The Scout Oath, Scout Law, badges, and fundamental policies are adopted.
- The first awards for heroism are presented by the National Court of Honor.
- 1912
- By 1912, Scouts are enrolled in every state.
- The first Eagle Scout Award is earned by Arthur Eldred in Troop 1 in Oceanside, New York. A few weeks after becoming the first Eagle Scout, Eldred helps save another Scout from drowning and is awarded the Honor Medal for his actions.
- Sea Scouting for older Scouts starts.
- Boys' Life is purchased to become an official BSA magazine.
- 1913
- Norman Rockwell is hired as an illustrator for Boys' Life magazine. He is soon promoted to art director.
- Scouting, the official magazine for Scouters, is first published.
- 1914
- The first Scout Sunday observance takes place.
- The first William T. Hornaday gold medal for the conservation of wildlife is presented.
- The BSA's first tree-planting project is held in New York.
- 1915
- The Order of the Arrow (OA) is founded by Dr. E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson at the Treasure Island Camp of the Philadelphia Council.
- 1916
- Congress grants the Boy Scouts of America a federal charter on June 15, giving special protection to the name and insignia and limiting membership to American citizens.
- 1917
- World War I: From 1917 to 1918, Scouts sell 2,350,977 Liberty Loan bonds and war savings stamps and distribute over 300 million pieces of government literature.
- 1919
- The first gold Honor medals are awarded by the National Court of Honor for saving life at risk of the rescuers own.
1920s
- 1920
- The first World Jamboree is held in England; Boy Scouts from 32 of 52 countries are present. The Boy Scouts of America sends 301 members.
- 1924
- The Every Scout a Swimmer program is inaugurated.
- The first achievement badges are earned by physically disabled Scouts.
- The Lone Scouts of America merges with the Boy Scouts of America.
- 1926
- The first Silver Buffalo awards for distinguished service to boyhood are presented.
- 1927
- Eagle Palms are added to the list of awards.
- The National Council office moves to 2 Park Avenue, New York City.
- Sea Scout Paul A. Siple accompanies Commander Richard E. Byrd to the Antarctic.
1930s
- 1930
- The Cub Scout program is formally launched. There are 5,102 Cub Scouts at the end of 1930.
- 1931
- The first Silver Beaver awards are presented for distinguished service to boyhood within a council.
- 1934
- The Order of the Arrow becomes an approved part of the Scouting program.
- 1935
- Membership in the Boy Scouts of America passes the 1 million mark.
- The 5-millionth copy of the Handbook for Boys is published.
- 1937
- The First National Jamboree is held in Washington from June 30 to July 9, at the invitation of President Roosevelt, with an attendance of 27,232.
- 1938
- Waite Phillips donates Philturn Rockymountain Scoutcamp (later to become Philmont Scout Ranch--see 1941) consisting of 35,857 acres of land on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains, near Cimarron, New Mexico.
- 1939
- Philturn Rockymountain Scoutcamp opens for advanced Scout camping.
1940s
- 1941
- With the declaration of war, the government requests Boy Scout service for the distribution of defense bonds and stamp posters; collection of aluminum and wastepaper; defense housing surveys; victory gardens; distribution of air-raid posters; cooperation with the American Red Cross; and, by joint agreement with the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization, services in three capacities--messengers, assisting emergency medical units, and firewatchers.
- Waite Phillips makes another large gift--land, residence and ranch buildings, livestock, operating ranch equipment--contiguous to Philturn Rockymountain Scoutcamp, bringing total acreage to more than 127,000 acres. The area is renamed Philmont Scout Ranch.
- Webelos rank created for 11-year-old boys with the Lion badge.
- 1942
- Scouts continue in war service. Twenty-eight projects are requested by the government, including the collection of 30 million pounds of rubber in a two-week drive; all-out salvage based on the government-issued pamphlet Scrap and How Scouts Collect It; distribution of pledge cards for war bonds and savings stamps; victory gardens; work on farms and in harvest camps; and government dispatch bearers.
- 1943
- The first Silver Antelope awards are presented for distinguished service to youth within a region.
- Long trousers and the Scout cap become part of the official uniform.
- 1945
- The total Boy Scout war service includes 69 requests from the government during 1941 through 1945.
- Twenty thousand Scouts earn the General Douglas MacArthur Medal for growing food.
1950s
- 1950
- The Second National Jamboree, held at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, June 30-July 6, brings 47,163 Scouts and leaders from around the nation and the world.
- Philmont Scout Ranch begins offering training courses at the Philmont Training Center.
- The U.S. Post Office Department issues the first Boy Scout stamp.
- 1953
- The Third National Jamboree is held at the Irvine Ranch in Southern California, July 17-23, with 45,401 Scouts and leaders from around the nation and the world participating.
- First pinewood derby is held in Manhattan Beach, California.
- 1954
- The Webelos den is created for Cub Scouts 10 years of age and to provide a bridge for crossing over to Boy Scouting.
- 1957
- The Fourth National Jamboree, at Valley Forge July 12-19, attracts 50,000 Scouts and Explorers.
- The 15-millionth copy of the Handbook for Boys is published.
1960s
- 1960
- Some 56,378 Scouts and leaders attend the Fifth National Jamboree, held at Colorado Springs, Colorado, July 22-28.
- 1962
- Eagle Scout Sam Walton founds the Wal-Mart Corporation.
- 1964
- The Sixth National Jamboree is held at Valley Forge July 17-23, with 52,000 Scouts and leaders participating.
- Eagle Scout Bill Marriott become president of Marriot Hotels
- 1965
- Eagle Scout Service Project requirement added to Eagle Scout Rank
- 1967
- The Boy Scouts of America hosts the 12th World Jamboree at Farragut State Park, Idaho.
- Eagle Scout Roger B. Chaffee dies in the Apollo 1 fire.
- 1968
- First Cub Scout day camps open.
- 1969
- Young women are accepted as participants in special-interest Exploring posts.
- The Seventh National Jamboree is held at Farragut State Park, Idaho. More than 35,000 Scouts and leaders attend.
- Eagle Scout Neil Armstrong becomes the first man on the moon.
1970s
- 1970
- Eagle Scout Jim Lovell safely returns the damaged Apollo 13 space ship to earth.
- Project SOAR (Save Our American Resources) is initiated as an ongoing BSA service project. It is estimated that during the year, 60,000 BSA units take part in SOAR-related conservation projects.
- 1971
- The Silver World Award is introduced for recipients who provide outstanding service to their nation's youth or to young people in other countries.
- 1972
- September 1972 saw the launch of the Improved Scouting Program. The number of required merit badges for Eagle Scout was increased to 24.
- Eagle Scout Sam Nunn] is elected as a US Senator from Georgia.
- The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) is launched.
- 1973
- The 1973 National Scout Jamboree is held at two sites--Moraine State Park in Pennsylvania and Farragut State Park in Idaho--with more than 64,000 participants.
- 1974
- Eagle Scout Gerald R. Ford becomes the 38th President of the United States.
- Scouting Environment Day is held April 27.
- The Cub Scout Safe Bicycle Driving program and Cub Scout Physical Fitness program are introduced.
- New Scout merit badges are introduced for Orienteering and Wilderness Survival.
- 1976
- The Boy Scouts of America celebrates the nation's bicentennial.
- Women could now serve as Scoutmasters, Assistant Scoutmasters, Cubmasters and Assistant Cubmasterss.
- The number of required merit badges for Eagle Scout returns to 21.
- 1977
- The 1977 National Scout Jamboree is held at Moraine State Park in Pennsylvania.
- 1978
- Eagle Scout and NBA Star Bill Bradley elected to US Senate and later overhauls the US Tax Code.
- 1979
- The national office is moved to Irving, Texas, after 25 years in New Jersey.
- New editions of The Official Boy Scout Handbook and Wolf Cub Scout Book are published.
1980s
- 1980
- Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Explorers pass out fliers across the country urging participation in the 1980 National Census.
- Cub Scouting celebrates its 50th anniversary and registers its 30 millionth Cub Scout since 1930.
- 1981
- The 10th National Scout Jamboree is held at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia.
- Eagle Scout [1] becomes White House Press Secretary and is later presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- Life Scout Harrison Ford portrays fictional Life Scout Indiana Jones.
- 1982
- Alexander M. Holsinger becomes the millionth Eagle Scout registered.
- The Tiger Cubs BSA program is field tested and implemented.
- 1984
- Webelos Scout Resident Camps start.
- 1985
- The 11th National Scout Jamboree is held July 24-30 at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. First lady Nancy Reagan pays a visit.
- Eagle Scout Wynton Marsalis is awarded his first Grammy for Jazz.
- 1986
- The BSA Mourns the Loss the Space Shuttle Challenger including Eagle Scout Ellison S. Onizuka.
- When Life Scout [2]'s Microsoft goes public, a reporter asked, "What is your biggest failure?", Gates is purported to have replied, "I am a Life Scout."
- Webelos program expands to two years to include fourth-grade and fifth-grade boys.
- 1987
- Eagle Scout William Sessions becomes the director of the FBI.
- 1988
- Eagle Scout and Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis runs for President.
- The first annual Scouting for Food drive collects more than 65 million containers of food.
- 1989
- The 12th National Scout Jamboree, at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, draws 33,000 Scouts and leaders.
- 1990s
1990s
- 1990
- Eagle Scout and Academy Award winning direct Steven Spielberg helps the BSA develop Cinematography Merit Badge.
- Pope John Paul II is presented with the BSA's Distinguished Citizen of the World Commendation.
- The new 10th edition of the Boy Scout Handbook is published with total circulation since 1910 reaching 33,860,000.
- 1992
- Eagle Scout Ross Perot runs for President.
- Scouts collect food and clothing, and offer a helping hand in the wake of Hurricane Andrew.
- 1993
- Nearly 26,000 youth attend the 1993 National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia.
- The Scouting movement in the former Soviet Union turns to the BSA for help in producing the first Russian Scout handbook; 20,000 copies are distributed.
- 1995
- Eagle Scout and author Clive Cussler founds NUMA.
- Eagle Scout Murhy Foster elected governor of Louisiana.
- 1997
- The 14th National Scout Jamboree, held at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, is attended by 35,000 Boy Scouts and leaders.
- 1998
- The 11th edition of the Boy Scout Handbook is published. Its first printing yields 750,000 copies, bringing the total circulation of the Handbook since 1910 to nearly 36 million.
- August 1, 1998, Exploring becomes the the new Venturing Program. The name Exploring is now used for a Learning for Life program. Venturing quickly becomes the fastest growing Scouting program.
- Scouts collect more than 41 million cans of food to help feed the hungry.
2000s
- 2000
- The Boy Scouts of America celebrates its 90th anniversary as the 100 millionth youth is registered.
- 2001
- The 15th National Scout Jamboree, held at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia with more than 40,000 participants and 275,000 visitors.
- Eagle Scout Michael Bloomberg elected mayor of New York City.
- Eagle Scout Donald Rumsfeld become Secretary of Defense.
- 2002
- Eagle Scout Steve Fossett becomes the first person to fly around the world alone, nonstop, in a balloon.
- The National Scouting Museum reopens in a new 50,000-square-foot facility next door to the National Council office in Irving, Texas.
- Leave No Trace Frontcountry Guidelines and Leave No Trace Award introduced.
- 2003
- February 1, 2003, The Scouting Family Mourns the Loss the Space Shuttle Columbia. "All four of the American men of the Columbia space shuttle were involved in Scouting in their youth, with pilot William McCool achieving the rank of Eagle Scout."
- Venturing introduces the Quest Award for participants to learn about good nutrition, fitness, and sportsmanship.
- Eagle Scout and composer John Tesh nominated for a Grammy
- 2004
- The BSA launches Good Turn for America with the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity.
- Follow Me, Boys!, the classic Disney Boy Scout movie, featuring Fred MacMurray and Kurt Russell, is released to DVD.
- 2005
- Eagle Scout Steve Fossett makes the first solo nonstop fixed-wing aircraft flight around the world.
- Venturing introduces the TRUST Award
- 2010
- Hundredth year anniversery of the Boy Scouts of America.
- 2010 National Scout Jamboree was held. This was the last national jamboree to be helt at Ft. A.P. Hill, VA.
- 2013
- 2013 National Scout Jamboree is to be held. First national jamboree to be held at The Summit Bechtel Reserve.
- 2015
- The Order of the Arrow will celebrate its 100th year anniversary.
- 2019
- The twenty-fourth World Scout Jamboree is to be held at the Summit Bechtel Reserve.
See also
- Boy Scouts of America Historical Highlights - Key events for the BSA and famous Scouts.
- Cub Scout Program offers a more detailed history of Cub Scouts.
- First Class-First Year - history of tenure requirements for First Class and Eagle.
- Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project - including it's inception in 1965.
- Boy Scout Handbook includes the history of the handbook.
- American Heritage Merit Badge - sometimes refered to as the History Merit Badge
