American charitable organization.
Historical Note
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principals of the International Red Cross Movement. The Federal Charter states it is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable organization. The organization's seven fundamental principles are: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. This mission guides the organization to provide relief to victims of disasters and to help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
At the beginning of the World War I, the American Red Cross was a small organization still in the process of developing its identity and programs. When the United States declared war against Germany on April 6, 1917, the organization began a period of extraordinary growth. By the time the war ended in November 1918, the Red Cross had become a major national humanitarian organization with strong leadership, a huge membership base, universal recognition, and a broad and distinguished record of service. The Red Cross continues to respond to emergencies today.