May 8 — World Red Cross Day: history and traditions of the holiday

Every year on May 8, Russia and other countries celebrate World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, a celebration of volunteers, doctors, donors, rescuers, social workers and other professionals who help people in times of war, natural and man—made disasters, epidemics and humanitarian crises. In 2026, it falls on a Friday. Read about the history of the creation and development of the movement, the traditions of celebration in the material of Izvestia.

World Red Cross Day - 2026: the history of the holiday

World Red Cross Day was established in 1948 by the decision of the League of Red Cross Societies, an organization that later became the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The date was chosen for a reason: on May 8, 1828, Henri Dunant was born in Geneva, a Swiss entrepreneur, public figure and a man whose name is associated with the emergence of this organization.

The idea of a separate holiday, which would remind the world about humanitarian work and the principles of assistance without discrimination, arose after the First World War. Initially, it was proposed to establish the "Red Cross truce", an annual international action aimed at consolidating peace. But they returned to its implementation only after the Second World War. In 1948, the holiday was first celebrated on May 8. Later, its name was clarified, and in 1984, the modern version was fixed — World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day.

The history of the movement itself began almost a century earlier — on June 24, 1859, after the Battle of Solferino in northern Italy. Henri Dunant found himself there shortly after the battle between the troops of France, the Kingdom of Sardinia and the Austrian Empire. Tens of thousands of dead and wounded soldiers remained on the battlefield. Medical forces were not enough, many people lay for hours without water, bandages and hope for help.

Dunant was not a military doctor and did not have a position that would oblige him to intervene. Nevertheless, he began to gather residents of nearby villages, persuading women and men to help the wounded, regardless of their uniform, language, and the army to which they belonged. Later, this logic was realized in a simple formula — help is needed not by "our own" or "strangers", but by a person who is suffering.

In 1862, Dunant published the book Remembrance of the Battle of Solferino, in which, in addition to describing the horrors of the battle itself, he expressed two specific ideas — to create voluntary societies for the wounded in different countries and to achieve an international agreement that would protect medical personnel, hospitals and the victims of the war.

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In February 1863, the "Committee of Five" appeared in Geneva, which included Henri Dunant himself, lawyer and public figure Gustave Moigner, Swiss general and military engineer Guillaume-Henri Dufour, military surgeon Louis Appiah and doctor Theodore Monoire. This association became the forerunner of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Already in October 1863, an international conference was held in Geneva, where politicians and philanthropists from different countries supported the creation of voluntary societies to help the wounded. In 1864, the first Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the wounded in active armies was signed, which laid the foundation for modern international humanitarian law. It provided for assistance regardless of the party to the conflict, protection of medical services and sanitary personnel. At the same time, a distinctive sign was approved — a red cross on a white background. It was chosen as a reverse combination of the colors of the Swiss flag.

During the Russian-Turkish War of 1876-1878, the Ottoman Empire began to use the red crescent instead of the cross, while officially agreeing to respect the enemy's symbols. In 1929, the Red Cross and the Red Crescent received equal recognition.

In Russia, on May 15, 1867, Emperor Alexander II approved the charter of the Society for the Care of Wounded and Sick Soldiers. In 1879, the organization was renamed the Russian Red Cross Society. Her work quickly went beyond helping only on the battlefield. The volunteers collected donations, developed health education, supported medical staff, trained nurses and helped victims in emergency situations.

After the revolution, the structure underwent a reorganization. In 1923, the Union of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of the USSR was formed. During the Soviet period, much attention was paid to health education, disease prevention, donation promotion, and first aid training. The organization not only provided emergency care, but was also a network of daily social and educational support.

After the collapse of the USSR, the Russian Red Cross became its legal successor in the Russian Federation. Today it remains a part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. His work is based on seven principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntariness, unity and universality.

Traditions of celebrating the World Red Cross Day

On May 8, actions are being held in many countries that show the work of the Red Cross through real stories of help, stories about volunteers, doctors, instructors, donors, psychologists, missing persons specialists and staff who work with victims of wars, disasters, fires, floods and epidemics.

One of the main traditions of the holiday is first aid training. Medical colleges, universities, schools, public spaces, and regional offices hold open classes explaining how to stop bleeding, what to do in case of burns, fainting, trauma, panic reactions, hypothermia, or sudden deterioration. Such classes are very important not only for future doctors, but also for ordinary citizens, since in the first minutes after an emergency, much depends on the people around them, their knowledge and skills.

On May 8, schools and libraries will host lessons and meetings on the history of the humanitarian movement. Children are taught about the work of the sisters of mercy, the development of donation and volunteerism.

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Currently, charities cannot apply for state support due to a gap in legislation.

On this day, public organizations and regional branches of the Red Cross often open charity collections, conduct donor campaigns, consultations, humanitarian campaigns, collecting basic necessities and events for people who find themselves in a difficult life situation.

An important part of this date is the protection of the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems themselves. They cannot be used as an ordinary decorative sign. In times of conflict or disaster, such an emblem should mean protection, medical care, and neutral humanitarian status.

Who and how is congratulated on May 8 — best wishes for Red Cross Day

On May 8, congratulations are extended to Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff, doctors, paramedics, nurses, first aid instructors, donors, psychologists, social workers, humanitarian program coordinators, philanthropists, and anyone who helps people in crisis situations. Izvestia has prepared several examples of how this can be done.:

• "Congratulations on World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day! You know that someone else's trouble requires precise actions, calmness, and human involvement. We wish you strength, respect for yourself and that inner support without which it is impossible to help others for a long time";
• "Happy holidays! Your work begins where it is scary and difficult for others. May professional self-control never fail, and kindness never run out! We wish you to always have reliable colleagues and grateful wards by your side. Happy Red Cross Day!";
• "Happy World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day! We wish you competent, accurate decisions in difficult circumstances, and respect for yourself. Timely assistance can save someone's life. Thank you for your hard work, in which mercy is inseparable from discipline, and compassion is inseparable from responsibility.";
• "Congratulations on World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day! May your knowledge, experience and willingness to help always find support and respect, and every day brings not only new tasks, but also an understanding that people really need your work!";
• "Congratulations on the holiday of humanity, courage and endurance! We wish you fewer emergencies in your life, more peaceful days and reliable partners. Let your hands help you confidently, accurate decisions come quickly, and after the most difficult days, the main feeling remains — thanks to you, today it has become easier and safer for someone! Happy World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day!"

Earlier, Izvestia told when and how Fire Protection Day is celebrated in Russia.