Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is both a charitable organization and an officially-recognized church. The organization provides educational tools and services, financial assistance, and other charitable support to needy people around the world, as an expression of their Christian faith. There are Salvation Army offices currently operating in 111 countries and in the staff assist people in 175 different languages. The group's name reflects the internal organization of the group, which is styled after a traditional military chain of command.http://www.salvationarmy.com

1. 1865: William Booth founds The Christian Mission in London, England
2. 1878: Organization was renamed The Salvation Army and adopts its military structure
3. 1880: Begins work in Australia, Ireland, and the United States
4. 2004: Operational costs total of $2.6 billion

• 1865: Salvation Army founded by William Booth in London’s East End

• 1878: Name changed from The Christian Mission to The Salvation Army

• 1879: Introduction of uniform

• 1879: Lieutenant Eliza Shirley held the first meeting of The Salvation Army in America, in Philadelphia

• 1880: First official group sent from England to pioneer the work in America

• 1883: Operation expands into a dozen states

• 1886: President Cleveland receives delegation from Salvation Army and offers personal endorsement

• 1891: Founder publicly signed “Darkest England”, now the Salvation Army Social Work, Trust Deed.

• 1899: First bandsmen’s councils formed, Clapton

• 1906: Release of the First Salvation Army year book

• 1912: William Booth dies and is succeeded by son Bramwell

• 1929: Edward J. Higgins serves as the first elected general
• 1934: Booth's daughter, Evangeline Booth, serves as first female general

• 1941: The International Headquarters in Queen Victoria Street, London, and the National Headquarters on the other side of the road are destroyed in WW2

• 2005: Outreach has expanded to more than 100 countries, and more than 160 languages

• Red Cross

• Goodwill Industries International

• The United Way