History of YMCA

1851 - The YMCA idea had popularized. In Great Britain there were over 2 700 members in 24 associations. YMCA was established in USA. YMCA opened many fitness centers, gym halls and other sport centers. In its programs many games were established including the popular basketball (1891) and volleyball (1895);

1852 - The first Secretary General of YMCA in Geneva was Henri Dunant. He was the future founder of the Red Cross. In 1901 he received the Nobel Prize for peace;  

1855 - Formation of the YMCA Federation (later World Alliance of YMCAs) at the First International Conference of YMCA held in Paris, France. The mission of the World Alliance of YMCAs is expressed through its motto taken from the Holy Bible: “That all of them may be one” (John 17, 21). The commitment that YMCA has taken is to work with all people without racial, sexual, cultural and religious discrimination;

1859 - For the first time in history women took part in certain programs on an equal basis as men;

1860-1890 - Rapid progress of YMCA in the USA (there are sport centers, libraries, handcrafts, etc. for young people);

1885 - Summer T. Dudley from the U.S.A. organized the first camp program which later spread everyone in the world within YMCA and beyond;

1889 - The red triangle became the official symbol of the Organization. The triangle indicates the main goals of YMCA: harmonious development of people's spirit, mind and body. The sign was invented by Luther Gulick, President of the Faculty for Physical Education at the College in Springfield, U.S.A.;

1891 - James Nesmith, instructor of the YMCA Training College in Springfield, Massachusetts (USA), created basketball, which expanded through all colleges and camps in the YMCA of U.S.A. and worldwide later;

1894 - (50 years from the YMCA foundation). George Williams received the title “Sir” for lifetime achievement from the British Queen Victoria;

1895 - William G. Morgan, a gym instructor in Massachusetts, USA, created volleyball as a game for recreation in the YMCA camps which later expanded all around the world;

Generally at the end of the 19th century YMCA focused on widening its field of activities from activities which were those mostly of a charity and humanitarian Christian organization towards a much wider field of activities including: theater performances, film projections, camps, numerous sports activities etc;

1905 - In Paris, France there was celebration of the 50 year anniversary of the First General Assembly of the World Alliance of YMCAs. That was the last official event in which Sir George Williams (84 years old) took part because he died one month later;

1914 - YMCA is actively involved in World War One as a volunteer organization financed by public donations, distinguishing itself from other organizations financed by governmental resources;

1900-1920 - YMCA expanded in the Balkans;

1926 - According to the YMCA’s research, YMCA has over 10 000 associations and over 1 700 000 members all around the world;

1939-1945 - YMCA is actively involved in World War Two with a special emphasis on working with refugees and displaced persons. Also YMCA actively participated in supplying the troops with food and medicine (opening mobile canteens and hospitals) etc.;

1946 - For his work with the war prisoners during the two World Wars, the President of the YMCA John R. Mott received the Nobel Prize for Peace;

1948-1960 - YMCA played a leading role in developing youth and social programs all around the world. YMCA is actively involved in working with youth and protecting the rights of children, the handicapped, elderly and feeble people, homeless, people with special needs, support for families and parents etc;

1970's - Interest rapidly increased in YMCA and the various opportunities which it offers as a worldwide organization;

1973 - Foundation of YMCA Europe;

1973 - The Sixth Conference of World Alliance of YMCAs is held in Kampala, Uganda where one of the basic principles for the YMCA was enacted;

1980's - YMCA focused on the fight for children's rights, children’s camps, etc. which are still a priority today;

1982 - For helping in refugee programs YMCA received a special recognition from the United Nations (UN);

1989 - After fall of the socialism there was a massive rebirth of YMCA in South East Europe;

1990's - In the second half of the '90s the new YMCAs, YMCAs of South-East Europe, became a motor for the YMCA in Europe. New people, new ideas, new approaches (different from the western), new programs enriched the diversity and flexibility of YMCA in Europe. If the European Union in a political sense need more time for uniting itself, YMCA Europe is a step forward encompassing the national movements from almost all the countries in Europe;

1998 - At the 14th General Assembly of the National Alliance of YMCAs in Frechen, one more basic document for the YMCA"Challenge 21" which is the vision for YMCA for the coming period was adopted;

2002- As a result of the 15th World Council of YMCAs in 2002, the World Alliance of YMCAs launched an initiative called the Global Operating Plan (GOP) for Movement Strengthening. The goal of strengthening the Movement is to help YMCAs at the local, national and regional level to more effectively answer the needs of society;

2003 - Celebration of the 30th anniversary of YMCA Europe. For that occasion in August in Prague, Czech Republic a one week Festival was organized including almost 8 000 YMCA members mostly from Europe, but also guests from other parts of the world. The motto of the Festival was "Inspired to Serve". The volunteers from YMCA Macedonia were also part of that event.

2005 - 150th anniversary of the Paris Basis with celebrations in Paris and everywhere in the world.

Going down the right path, YMCA is continuing to write the history.