On This Day

First Nobel Peace Prizes are awarded, first recipients are Red Cross co-founder Henry Dunant and peace activist Frédéric

First Nobel Peace Prizes are awarded, first recipients are Red Cross co-founder Henry Dunant and peace activist Frédéric Passy

Henry Dunant, also known as Henri Dunant, was a Swiss humanitarian, businessman, social activist, and co-founder of the Red Cross. His humanitarian efforts won him the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901.

Dunant was born in Geneva to a devout Calvinist family and had business interests in French Algeria and Tunisia. In 1859, while on his way to petition Napoleon III, he witnessed the aftermath of the Battle of Solferino in northern Italy. Horrified by the suffering of the wounded and the lack of care they received, Dunant took the initiative to organize the local population in providing aid for the soldiers.

Historical Significance

Henry Dunant, also known as Henri Dunant, was a Swiss humanitarian, businessman, social activist, and co-founder of the Red Cross.

Key People

Henry Dunant

co-founder of the Red Cross

Swiss co-founder of the Red Cross

Events Before

  1. Compulsory primary school education in the Netherlands goes into effect

    Education in the Netherlands is characterized by division: education is oriented toward the needs and background of the pupil.

  2. Giacomo Puccini's opera "Tosca", with a libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, premieres at Teatro Costanzi in R

    Giacomo Puccini's opera "Tosca", with a libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, premieres at Teatro Costanzi in Rome, Italy

  3. The Trades Union Congress and the Independent Labour Party (formed in 1893) meet in London, resulting in a Labour Repres

    The Trades Union Congress and the Independent Labour Party (formed in 1893) meet in London, resulting in a Labour Representative Committee and eventually the modern UK Labour Party in 1906

  4. Dutch botanist Hugo de Vries rediscovers Gregor Mendel's laws of heredity and genetics

    Dutch botanist Hugo de Vries rediscovers Gregor Mendel's laws of heredity and genetics

  5. US Secretary of State John Hay announces that all nations to whom he sent notes calling for an 'open door' policy in Chi

    US Secretary of State John Hay announces that all nations to whom he sent notes calling for an 'open door' policy in China have essentially accepted his stance

Events After

  1. 1st Rose Bowl, Tournament Park, Pasadena, California: Michigan defeats Stanford 49-0; MVP: Michigan fullback Neil Snow

    1st Rose Bowl, Tournament Park, Pasadena, California: Michigan defeats Stanford 49-0; MVP: Michigan fullback Neil Snow

  2. Abdulaziz Ibn Saud leads 40 men over the walls of Riyadh and takes the city, beginning the Third Saudi State

    Abdulaziz Ibn Saud leads 40 men over the walls of Riyadh and takes the city, beginning the Third Saudi State

  3. Britain and Japan sign a treaty after months of negotiating which commits each country to supporting an independent Chin

    Britain and Japan sign a treaty after months of negotiating which commits each country to supporting an independent China and Korea, although it acknowledges Japan's 'special interest' in Korea

  4. US military leader George Marshall (22) weds Elizabeth Carter Coles in San Antonio, Texas

    George Catlett Marshall Jr. (31 December 1880 – 16 October 1959) was an American army officer and statesman. He rose through the United States Army to become Chief of Staff of the U.S.

  5. American Automobile Association (AAA) is founded in Chicago

    American Automobile Association (AAA) is a federation of motor clubs throughout North America.

More from the 1900s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on December 10, 1901?
Henry Dunant, also known as Henri Dunant, was a Swiss humanitarian, businessman, social activist, and co-founder of the Red Cross. His humanitarian efforts won him the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901. Dunant was born in Geneva to a devout Calvinist family and had business interests in French Algeria and Tunisia.
Why is First Nobel Peace Prizes are awarded, first recipients are Red Cross co-found... significant?
Henry Dunant, also known as Henri Dunant, was a Swiss humanitarian, businessman, social activist, and co-founder of the Red Cross.
Who was involved in First Nobel Peace Prizes are awarded, first recipients are Red Cross co-found...?
Key figures include Henry Dunant (co-founder of the Red Cross).

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