Girl Scout History
This is a Timeline of what we consider important events in Girl Scout History
1860: Juliette Gordon Low is born on Otc. 31st.
1910: The Girl Guide movement begins in England
1911: The founder of Boy Scouts, Sir Robert Baden-Powell meets Juliette Low.
Agnes Baden-Powell (Sir Robert's sister)creates Girl Guides in England.
March 12, 1912: Juliette's niece, Margaret Daisy Gordon, registers as the first
Girl Guide in America
1913: The name "Girl Guides" is changed to "Girl Scouts" in America. The first
handbook is made by W.J. Hoxie and the national headquarters is established in
Washington, D.C.
1914: The design of the trefoil is patented and becomes the symbol of membership
for Girl Scouts.
1915: The Girl Scout Organization elects Juliette Low as the first president of Girl Scouts.
1916: The Girl Scout Headquarters is moved to New York City. Meanwhile, the first Brownie Troop is
organized in Massachussets.
1917: Mrs. Woodrow Wilson becomes the first honorary president of Girl Scouts. In New York City,
the first troop for physically handicapped girls is formed.
1920: Rally Magazine becomes American Girl. Juliette takes the title of "founder
of Girl Scouts" and retires from the position of president. October 31 becomes known as "founders
Day".
1922: The first national Girl Scout Camp begins. It is called Camp Andree Clark. Field News,
a monthy bulletin begins.
1923: The Field News becomes The Girl Scout Leader
1926: Thinking Day becomes a yearly event.
1927: The first group of Girl Scouts attends an international event in Switzerland. Juliette Low dies,
in her honor the Juliette Low World Friendship Fund is started and a new handbook is published.
1928: World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) is formed.
1929: Over 200,000 Girl Scouts are registered in the United States.
1930: In Pawnee, OK. the first all-Indian Girl Scout troop is registered.
1932: The World Flag is adopted. The first World Center, Our Chalet, is opened in
Switzerland. March 12 is designated the Birthday of Girl Scouts.
1933: The handbook comew out in Braille and large print.
1936: Girl Scout cookie sales begin.
1938: One million plus boxes of cookies are sold.
1939: Two plus million boxes of cookies are sold.
1943: The first Girl Scout claender is made.
1944: There are one million registered Girl Scouts. Over one quater of girls go to
Girl Scout camp. The S.S. Juliette Low, a merchant ship is launched.
1947: Girl Scouts of the US of A is the new name of the organization.
1948: A stamp is issued by the United States post office to honor Juliette Low.
750,000 stamps are sold on the first day.
1949: Almost 1.5 million girls are registered Girl Scouts.
1951: The Girl Scout motto becomes "Be Prepared"
1953: Juliette Gordon Low's birthplace in Savannah, Georgia is purchased by GSUSA,
Girl Scout of the USA.
1957: 3 million girls are now registered Girl Scouts. The World Center, Our Cabana
opened in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
1962: 50th Anniversary of Girl Scouts. In Vermont, the first Senior Round-Up occurs.
1963: The designated age groups, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes and Seniors are formed.
New leader books and handbooks were published.
1965: Brownie handbook is pulished in Spanish.
1970: The 30 millionth member of GSUSA is registered.
1972: The Girl Scout Law and Promise are reworded.
1973: A portrait of Juliette Low is presented to the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.
1975: 123 plus million boxes of Girl Scouts cookies are sold.
1977: The 5 Worlds of interest in Girl Scouting is introduced.
1978: Our current Trefoil is introduced.
1979:Juliette Low is inducted into the National Womens Hall of Fame.
1980: The Gold and Silver Award become the highest award in Girl Scouting.
1982: The first lifetime memberships of adults were recognized. April 22 is
established as Girl Scout Leader day
1987: 75th Anniversary of Girl Scouts
1996: The Girl Scout Law is reworded and new handbooks for Cadettes and Seniors are
adapted.
2002: The 90th Anniversary of Girl Scouts.
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